Mississippi College cuts ribbon on state-of-the-art men’s and women’s golf practice facility

Joining John and Charlotte McMath, center, at the ribbon-cutting are Mississippi College president Blake Thompson; Kenny Bizot, MC athletic director; Ethan Doan, head coach of the MC men’s golf team; Brent Belton, head coach of the MC women’s golf team; and several lead donors.

Mississippi College Athletics hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 21 for the John and Charlotte McMath Golf Center, a high-tech practice facility for the men’s and women’s golf teams.

The center is fittingly named for two of the most generous patrons of MC’s golf teams.

John McMath helped revive a dormant golf program at MC. He was head coach of the Choctaw golf program for 15 years and simultaneously served as a professor of mathematics. Charlotte McMath, a longtime professor of math at the Christian University, has been a bastion of support for the golf teams. Both hold emeritus faculty status at MC.

“We are fortunate to have the McMaths support our athletic department. They are both very special people and their gift will help enhance both golf programs,” said MC Athletic Director Kenny Bizot.

The facility featured two indoor hitting bays outfitted with state-of-the-art Trackman technology, a large indoor putting green, modern coaches’ offices, and leisure space for members of the men’s and women’s golf teams. It is located next door to MC Soccer’s Girling Field House on West Madison Street in Clinton.

Bizot said student-athletes will train in the facility year-round.

“This was a great day for Mississippi College golf teams and Mississippi College Athletics,” Bizot said.

“It was great to have many of our donors together on this special day to show our appreciation for their generosity. We are looking forward to our coaches and student-athletes enjoying this awesome facility.”

Funding for the center came entirely from donors. The McMaths provided a lead gift to establish the facility, while many of their former students, former members of the MC golf teams and friends – including David and Wendy Garner, Terrell and Sandra Winstead, Carla and Tony Stringer, Taylor Stringer, and Dr. Steve and Julie Mills – contributed substantial support and have spaces within the facility named in their honor. Dr. Robert and Rebecca Watson gave a cornerstone gift that completed the second floor of the facility named the “Watson Family Players Lounge.”

Other substantial donors include Michael McCollum, Century Club Charities, Johnny Lang, Pablo Mejia, and Jean and Wallis McMath.