Westfield State College recently announced that men's and women's golf will be added as varsity sports for the 2008-2009 academic year.
"We are extemely excited to be including golf as a varsity sport," said Westfield State College President Evan S. Dobelle. "Westfield State already is considered one of the top athletics programs in the state college system and men's and women's golf will only enhance that image."
"These additions made possible through President Dobelle allow Westfield State to continue to build highly competitive and broad-based athletics programs for our student body," said Westfield State director of athletics Richard Lenfest.
Men's golf will return to varsity status after a 20-year hiatus. Westfield State fielded a men's team for 19 years beginning in 1970, but it had to suspend the sport in 1989 because of budget constraints. The Westfield State men's and women's golf teams will be playing their home matches at Tekoa Country Club, which is located near the campus.
"I would like to thank Tekoa Country Club for allowing us to play our home matches there," said Lenfest. "We look forward to building a competitive golf program in the Northeast, and I am particularly excited that Westfield State College will be the only state college offering women's golf."
Searches are currently underway to hired head coaches for both men's and women's golf.
With the addition of golf, Westfield State will offer 21 varsity sports. Women's lacrosse is beginning its second season and men's ice hockey will become a varsity sport during the 2008-2009 academic year.