Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/168234
The REK Center for Intercollegiate Golf, which opened in the summer of 1997, has provided a big boost to Furman's golf program. Launched by a $75,000 gift from Betsy King, Beth Daniel and Dottie Pepper and completed with the help of an anonymous donor, the center serves as clubhouse and practice facility for Furman's men's and women's golf teams. In addition to coaches' offices, locker rooms and a meeting area, the center features putting and chipping greens, fairway and greenside bunkers. The lobby in the REK center is dedicated to the memory of Connie Timmons, who hosted the Pro-Am breakfast for many years. In 2005, Connie and Bill Timmons were selected as honorary inductees into the Furman Athletic Hall of Fame, due to their tireless support of the Furman golf programs, the Pro-Am, and the entire athletic program. Furman's basketball arena is also named for the Timmons family, and daughter Scott Timmons Hipp was a letterwinner on the Lady Paladin golf team in 1973-74. The Furman Golf Club was renovated by Kris Spence in 2008. This most recent renovation encompassed redesigning all of the green complexes and changing from bent grass to Champion Bermuda, repositioning each of the fairway bunkers to bring them into play for the modern era, and adding approximately 200 yards to the championship layout. Spence, who has renovated several Donald Ross designs in the Carolinas, added many Ross characteristics to the Furman course. In March of 2012 an extensive renovation of the REK practice area began. Four new Champion Bermuda grass greens were added and the existing bent grass was reconditioned, as well. The approximately seven-acre area, which was designed by Scot Sherman, provides players with multiple short game practice possibilities and an opportunity to play multidirectional par-3 holes.