On July 1, 2024, the SNU Men’s and Women’s golf teams broke ground on the Steve Hulsey Golf Facility. When the teams returned back for the spring semester of 2025, they moved into their new home. The facility will be a huge asset as the teams battle the cold weather of wintertime in Oklahoma. Coach Derrick Taylor has dreamed of this moment since he became the head coach of both Crimson Storm programs in 2012. In his first week as coach, he took a drive around the university’s properties and began envisioning the future facility. After 13 years, he has officially landed on his spot to lead his team.
The facility is located on NW 39th Street inside the Claud and Betty Cypert Athletic Complex just west of the SNU softball field. The Hulsey facility has a 185-yard iron range with a 30-yard long tee box, which is just to the right of the indoor hitting area. The indoor area consists of four hitting bays, three of which lead out to the driving range. The facility also has a 20-foot indoor putting green for the team to keep their short games sharp on days with poor weather. Each ball hit at the facility will be picked up by hand; this ensures that each ball is hit with a purpose.
Since 2021, the teams have been without a consistent place to practice indoors. This facility will open many new doors for the program. Redshirt junior, Simon McBride, says having the facility provides him a place to improve over the winter months, which was one of the main reasons he chose to bring his talents to Bethany. Having this facility will be appealing to top recruits as they trust SNU with their four years of eligibility and prepare for their professional careers. Not only will the facility be a place for teams to improve their games, but it will also be a place to strengthen their bond as teammates.
Sophomore standout, Haley Whittern, expresses, “The Hulsey Facility has been beneficial in helping our women’s team improve not only our golf skills but also our team dynamics. Having access to this dedicated space allows us to work on our game together in a private environment. Since the facility is exclusive to our team, it provides a setting where we can challenge each other, have fun, and practice productively.”
The facility gets its name from long-time coach and SNU alumni, Steve Hulsey. Coach Hulsey was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2011 and recently inducted into the 2023 SNU Hall of Fame class. In his 17 years coaching the Crimson Storm, Hulsey led the women’s team to two national championships, and the men’s programs to multiple national championship appearances. Hulsey’s accomplishments do not end there, as he was nominated as the NAIA Coach of the Year in both 1999 and 2002.
Hulsey’s success on the course was tremendous, but that is not what his former players remember him for. He was so much more than just a coach; his humorous and caring personality allowed him to build lifelong friendships with his players. When asked about Coach Hulsey, SNU Hall of Fame inductee and National Champion, Jonna Dodson, states, “Coach Hulsey is a very special coach, mentor, and friend. I was truly blessed to play golf for him all those years ago at SNU, and I’m thrilled that he now has a golf facility named after him. There’s no one more deserving.”
Current head, Coach Derrick Taylor, played under Hulsey from 1996-2000. Taylor believes the facility is a tremendous success for the programs, but his vision is not complete just yet. When asked about his future plans for the facility, Taylor shares, “The completion of the building is part of what I am considering phase one. Phase two of the project will include fine-tuning the building with all we need to make us great, such as turning the indoor-only bay into a simulator containing a launch monitor and projector with a screen. Lastly, phase three will focus on the outside of the building. We will build up another tee box to the left of the facility for more area to hit outdoors. This will give us the option to practice different wind directions. My plan is to add more targets for our players to hit to improve their wedge play. I also hope to plant a few trees along the south fence to give the range and facility more scenic beauty.”
Southern Nazarene University athletics’ commitment to excellence has been shown with the support of Taylor’s vision of the Hulsey Facility. This will provide every golfer–current and future–a state-of-the-art facility that covers every aspect needed to improve and compete year in and out at the NCAA Division II national stage. All funding for this project has been raised from our very special donors who understand that this is a special project for all involved and for all the student-athletes that will be impacted in the future!
Photos by: Landon Hendrix