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“There hasn’t been a golf team since well before I began at Hamline,” said O’Brien. whose tenure at Hamline began in June of 2002.

This fall, there has been increased interest in the sport and the beginnings of golf as a club sport, is starting to take root. Dave Dale is a teaching pro at Keller Golf Club in St. Paul, off Highway 61. This fall, he went around to Concordia University and St. Thomas to offer his volunteered services as a golf coach.

Dale found that Concordia had an established coach already and that St. Thomas had hired a new coach the previous week. On a whim, Dale decided to stop in at Hamline one afternoon, as he just happened to be in the neighborhood. He met with O’Brien and was surprised to learn that not only was there no coach but there was no program.

O’Brien already had some students express interest in a golf program and as a result of the meeting, O’Brien and Dale decided to place some posters around campus welcoming golfers to attend a meeting to gauge interest amongst the student body.

“It’s a no-lose situation,” said O’Brien--there are students on campus who want to play golf for the university and David Dale wants to coach golf at the collegiate level.

Just a handful of students showed up for the introductory meeting and Dale agreed to take them out to hit some range balls at Keller Golf Club. The initial trip to the range led to a subsequent return trip. During that second trip, word of mouth had got out and interest grew and the number of golfers increased.

“We think there is more interest than we’ve seen,” said O’Brien.

The success of this program depends on the level of interest expressed by the students. More than anything else, the golf program needs people talking about it and the Hamline students to be aware that there is opportunity to play. If people want to golf, Hamline will offer golf.

“Word is getting out and I’m sure there are some students who want to golf but just don’t know about it [golf program],” said Dale.

For at least this year, the Athletic Department will not offer golf as anything more than a club sport. Whether or not Hamline competes in the MIAC any time soon depends on a few factors.

First, the level of interest has to be there. A team needs six men and six women to compete. Second, the ability of the golfers has to be there but, Dale is confident that ability is not a requirement as he has willingness to coach and teach. Third, a golf team needs to be worked into the budget of the athletic department.

“Dan O’Brien is in the driver's seat there,” said Dale. “Range time and practice balls all cost money and it would have to be worked into the budget.”

At last count, Dale has about three women and six men from campus who are interested in golf. Golf is a two-season sport that takes place during the fall and spring. For the year, the golf club is done practicing at Keller but they have aspirations to take the game, and a few more golfers indoors to White Bear’s indoor domed golf range before hitting the links again next spring at Keller again.

“I’m glad to be at Hamline,” said Dale. “It would be fun to start a new program.”

For those interested in playing golf at Hamline, you can contact Dan O’Brien at X2326 or at dobrien@hamline.edu. Dave Dale can be reached at 651-778-0826 and his e-mail is dlancevail@yahoo.com.