Ferrum College Dedicates Renovated Golf Driving Range to Expand Men’s and Women’s Golf Practice Opportunities on Campus

Ferrum College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday afternoon, March 11, to dedicate its renovated golf driving range located east of the campus near downtown Ferrum.

The renovated facility was dedicated to Ricky Cox, the late father of former Ferrum Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach Erick Cox ‘13.

The Ferrum golf driving range includes five driving markers, three moveable target baskets, three artificial hitting mats and a Bermuda tee box. A storage building was installed recently with a mower, aerator and lawn supplies.

The driving range improvements expand on-campus practice opportunities for Ferrum men’s and women’s golfers, which also include an indoor simulator room with putting green in Swartz Gym.

“This renovation is an important improvement as we work to advance our golf programs,” stated Director of Athletics John Sutyak. “I am thankful for all of the hard work that [former] Coach Cox and his team put into beginning this process, as well as our donors who stepped in and helped expedite these renovations to the facility.”

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) selected Ferrum College to host the 2023 Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships, which will be held March 10–11, 2023 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, VA.

“The opportunity to host the NCAA D3 National Championships for the second time as an institution is a testament to the hard work of our staff who ran a phenomenal NCAA tournament in 2019. I am excited for our local wrestling fans to see some of the best wrestling in the country and inspire the youth to dream big. We are grateful for the Berglund Center, Roanoke Valley Wrestling Association, VBR Sports, College staff, and everyone who will be involved in creating a great atmosphere for these student-athletes who are striving to achieve lifelong goals,” said Men’s Wrestling Head Coach Logan Meister.

Since joining the NCAA Div. III ranks in 1985, Ferrum’s first effort in hosting a national championship was when the Panthers hosted the NCAA Div. III Wrestling Championship in March 2019 at the Berglund Center. The Panthers also hosted the 2018 NCAA Southeast Regional in Rocky Mount, VA, and the 2015 NCAA Div. III Wrestling East Regional at the Berglund Center.