Every story has a loser. Even the tale of Saint Louis University building a first-class NCAA Division I athletic program has claimed its victims within the University. When Saint Louis University decided to move from Conference USA to the Atlantic 10 beginning in the 2005-2006 academic year, it was subsequently announced that both the men’s and women’s golf teams would cease to exist.
Even though SLU no longer competes on golf courses at the Division I level, a group of students are actively pushing to create a competitive club team open to all students on campus. In exchange for eliminating the varsity golf teams, the athletic department decided instead to allocate their funds to a men’s and women’s track and field and cross country team.
This strategy created more scholarship opportunities for student athletes as well as made the University a more attractive member of the Atlantic 10 conference.
“This was an extremely difficult decision, but strategic analysis clearly demonstrates that this realignment better fits with our long-term athletic department goals within the Atlantic 10 Conference,” former Athletic Director Cheryl Levick said.
“The formula for funding the golf programs did not work for our department. This change will allow us to enhance our opportunity for success within the A-10,” she said.
Becoming the only NCAA Division I track and field program in the St. Louis area was also an appealing opportunity the department could not pass up, and the teams have recently had some great success. While the women’s team saw little success during its short-lived existence, the last director of golf operations, Ed Scwent, brought SLU men’s golf to heights previously unattained.
The team was successful both on and off the course. Under his watch and tutelage, the team was home to an All-Conference USA selection and two Scholar All-Americans. Now, SLU golf has reemerged on the horizon, albeit as a spec. In 2008, SLU Club Golf President Joe Valentine began laying the foundation to form the club for those “with an interest in the game to practice and play competitively.”
While still working to become an SGA Chartered Student Organization, the burgeoning club has developed a small following. They have presented to the SGA, aiming to garner university funds, but they have not yet been successful.
“The club is not yet a team, but they host weekly outings at their home course, the Highlands, in Forest Park,” Club Golf Vice President Chris Elliott said.
Valentine and Elliott are also actively pursuing tournaments with teams from surrounding colleges and universities to give the Billikens a competitive experience. Their outings are typically on Friday, and turnout varies from week to week.
This is more appealing and accessible to the general student body than the more time-consuming and demanding varsity team. It would also be more economically viable for the university to maintain.
While the club push is driven by a small group of guys, golf at SLU has experienced a rise in popularity over the last few years. For those looking for more than just a leisurely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, intramural golf is now offered through the Simon Recreation Center.
While the club attempts to attract a larger following, this offers a good venue for golf enthusiasts to tee it up who may be weary of jumping directly into the competitive circuit.
Since the loss of the varsity squads, golfers across the university have felt the void of a structured team.
The leaders of this effort continue to see support across the university, but it is also necessary for the group to become more organized if they expect to gain the support of the SGA and become a legitimate force on campus with staying power.
