Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A graduate of Mississippi State's professional golf management academic program who became an award-winning Professional Golf Association instructor is the new director of the university's public golf course.
Anthony L. "Tony" Luczak began work May 16 as director of golf in the recreational sports department, a Division of Student Affairs unit. A 1990 MSU graduate and PGA member since 1992, he previously owned and managed a national golf academy in Clifton Park, N.Y.
"In Tony, we have an individual with strong credentials to manage the MSU Golf Course and the experience, energy and visionary leadership to transform it into a center for golf and golf instruction," said Laura Walling, director of recreational sports.
Located three miles east of campus on state Highway 182, the par-72 facility features a championship layout on gently rolling hills. Designed by Brian Ault, it also serves as a teaching laboratory for the PGM and golf and sports turf management academic programs.
Though Golf magazine ranked it among the Top 10 collegiate courses in the Eastern United States and Golf Digest repeatedly included it on a public "Places to Play" list, the MSU complex has had to deal with growing competition from other area courses in recent years.
"While our course has faced some challenges, we feel Tony's management expertise and his strong background in teaching and promoting the game will lead to significant improvements in the months and years to come," Walling said.
Between graduating 17 years ago from the 129-year-old land-grant university and opening his own business in 2001, Luczak held golf instruction and pro duties in Florida and at two other New York locations.
Luczak has been honored with the Northeastern New York PGA Teacher of the Year Award and the "Top Instructors" recognition of both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information, contact Walling or Luczak at 662-325-4028 or 325-2179.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.