In a huge boost for California's men's and women's golf programs, the Golden Bears hope to begin utilizing a new short-game facility at the Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland this spring. The Cal athletic department would like to thank everyone who combined to contribute approximately $500,000 to bring the project to fruition. The lead donors were Judy Isaac, Pat and Kent Newmark, Ellen and Joffa Dale, Lon and Becci Haskew and Jay deBenedetti.

"This has been a dream of mine and Cal men's golf for 27 years and for the women's program since its inception in 1994-95," said men's head coach Steve Desimone. "The facility will help improve our players from 120 yards and in. Both teams can always be more efficient in that area. It will also help in terms of recruiting because it will make us more competitive with the best programs in the country. For the first time, we will also be able to reach out to the community and host golf camps and clinics."

The programs broke ground on the privately-funded project in early September after a long planning process. The two-and-a-half acre state-of-the-art short-game facility is being constructed on the southwest corner of the Metropolitan Golf Links near the Oakland Airport. Built to United States Golf Association specifications, the facility will feature two extremely large greens - one for putting and chipping, and the other for the aerial game, including pitching and bunker play. After a winter lay-off, work will resume in March and is scheduled to be completed in May. After the "grow-in" phase, the facility is expected to be open for practice for the fall 2007 season.