FAQ

Q:  Who is Lonnie Poole?

A: Lonnie Poole is the chairman of Waste Industries, a solid waste services company serving more than 700,000 customers across five states. A 1959 graduate of NC State, Poole has served as director of the NC State University Foundation and the Endowment Board, as well as several college-based foundations.  Along with his wife, Carol Lynn Poole, he provided a naming gift in 2007 for the Lonnie Poole Golf Course.

Q:  When will the clubhouse be built?

A: Lonnie Poole recently donated the funds for the naming rights of the clubhouse.  $2.5 Million of the $40 Million donation to the University was allocated to naming the building the Carol Johnson Poole Club House.  Although major portions of the clubhouse have been funded by Lonnie Poole, the NCSU Athletic Department and various Charter Partners, fundraising is ongoing.  Ground breaking for the clubhouse will occur once the entire project has been funded.

Q:  What caliber golf course is Lonnie Poole GC?

A: Lonnie Poole Golf Course has received much recognition from the golf community since its opening in 2009.  Players of all skill levels marvel at the beauty and challenge the course offers.  With a natural and sustainable design, players will find many native grass areas, rolling hills, natural cut bunkers and undulating green structures that make the course a truly unique and challenging experience.   Named one of Golf Week’s 2010 Best New Courses, Best New Campus Courses and NC Golf Panel’s Best New Course, LPGC is sure to exceed your expectations.

Q:  Are memberships available?

A: Lonnie Poole Golf Course is a public golf facility and does not offer memberships for the golf course or practice facility.  Although there are no memberships, donors to the golf course and building projects, also known as Charter Partners, have the opportunity to purchase a Champions Card which provides golf and practice facility privileges.  Contact Becky Bumgardner, Executive Director for Development at (919)513-4412 for information regarding donations, Charter Partnerships and Champions Cards.

Q:  How does the University benefit from the golf course?

A: Lonnie Poole Golf Course is the home of the Men’s & Women’s Golf teams providing NC State athletes with a Championship Golf Course and practice facility.  LPGC is one of the best golf courses in the ACC and has hosted multiple collegiate events. The golf course has also been asked to submit bids for NCAA Golf Championships (Regionals and Finals).

Aside from athletics, the golf course provides benefits to the Professional Golf Management Program, Turfgrass Program, Physical Education Department and University functions.

The golf course serves as a teaching and training facility for the Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program in the College of Natural Resources.  With a challenging golf course and PGA professional staff on board, the facility provides PGM students a place to enhance their golf games and learn the business of golf.

The golf course also facilitates turfgrass and storm water research associated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  Due to its sustainable design, LPGC houses multiple species of turfgrasses, native grasses and various other species providing faculty and students a hands-on ability to teach, learn and experiment.

Lastly, LPGC provides the physical education department a facility to teach the game of golf to NC State students; a major improvement from indoor facilities.  The golf course also hosts many university functions including fundraisers, business outings, and meetings for various university organizations including the Wolfpack Club, Alumni Association, PGM Program, Turfgrass Program, Greek Organizations, Scholarships, etc.

Q:  Will Par 4, Hole 3 be changed to a Par 5 due to its length and difficulty?

A: Although the difficulty level of Hole 3 exceeds most Par 4’s due to its length and difficult approach, it will remain a Par 4 with the option of playing it as a Par 5.  Palmer Design team designed the entire golf course to be challenging and to stand the test of time with technology and players becoming more advanced each year.  Even at a length of 526 yards, the men’s golf team is reaching the green in two shots with irons or hybrids in their hands.  Hole 3 exemplifies a championship design and foreshadows the difficulty of the course to come making it a necessary evil.