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Contact: Athletics Department – 208/792-2275
Team and community members
put golf
back on LCSC ticket
LEWISTON - At a 7:00 a.m. pre-tee time meeting, Lewis-Clark
State President Dene Thomas told LCSC golf team members of her decision to
reinstate the college’s golf program. Earlier this year, the men’s and
women’s golf programs were slated for elimination after dramatic cuts in
state higher education funding forced the college to reconsider its
offerings.
Thomas has had to make similar announcements regarding the future of other
academic and athletic programs in response to budget constraints.
Thomas made the brief announcement before LC players headed out on the
Lewiston-Country Club Golf Course for the LCSC Invitational Tournament.
After noting how glad she was to be giving them the good news, Thomas
enthusiastically told the players to go out and win the tournament.
 Thomas
made a second trip to the course later in the morning to make the official
announcement for members of the media. Flanked by John Black and Evelyn
Forsman, leaders in the fundraising effort, Thomas again remarked on how
good it was to be making the pronouncement: “I’m proud to be able to
announce today the re-instatement of golf as an NAIA sport at Lewis-Clark
State College. Considering the kind of news I’ve had to relay lately, this
feels so good!”
While most in attendance had already made the easy assumption that Thomas
would only announce reinstatement at the LC-hosted tournament, she said she
wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped make the
occasion possible. After recognizing the efforts of Black and Forsman, she
praised the efforts of the fundraising team and the generosity of golf fans.
“This outcome really exemplifies community support. The golf team and its
supporters in the community have quietly achieved a fundraising goal that
will allow the program to continue with an assurance of stability,” she
said.
 Thomas
had stipulated that fund raising efforts go toward sustaining the program
over a three-year period. Less than that would mean the college and student
players could face the same contingency each year. Thomas said she is
hopeful state funding will be restored to levels that will reduce reliance
on fund raising to keep the program viable.
Commenting on the tension related to program cuts, Thomas added, “In
difficult times, it’s easy to tear down and much harder to work together to
build up. These folks did it, however. They came together to help support a
sport they love—a sport we all truly wanted to see continue its presence on
campus. Now it will. Through the hard work and generosity of the student
players and community members, our golf team will be able to continue its
winning competitive efforts.”
Men’s and women’s golf have been on LCSC’s athletic roster since 1996. As of
April 1st, Golfstat ranked the men’s team #3 in the NAIA conference. The
team has won five tournaments this season and is currently ranked #7 in the
NAIA top 25 poll. Team member Darren Black is the top ranked individual
player in the NAIA and ranks 19th in all divisions, with a score of 71.47.
The women’s team has also had national recognition: Caroline Bradley played
in the 2001 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championships at London, Kentucky,
finishing in a tie for 16th and earning Honorable Mention All-American
accolades.
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