Jeff "Bird" McBride Clubhouse

The Bemidji State University Men’s and Women’s Golf teams understand the challenge of keeping their swings and putts true over the winter months in Bemidji. Thanks to donors, however, BSU Golf has an all-new training space loaded with equipment to keep their skills honed throughout the year.

The new Jeff “Bird” McBride Clubhouse was unveiled to nearly 100 current and former Beaver golfers, BSU golf supporters and the friends and family of Jeff “Bird” McBride at a dedication ceremony and reception on November 2, 2019.

The clubhouse, located in the upper mezzanine level of the Frederick P. Baker Training Center at the John Glas Fieldhouse, includes a state-of-the-art golf simulator, putting green and equipment lockers. The new space will give BSU’s golf teams a dedicated space to practice indoors year-round, no matter the weather outside.

The new golf simulator uses high-speed cameras and sensors to send data about the golfer’s swing in real time to the simulator’s software, which then projects an animated view of the ball’s trajectory and distance on the fabric screen in front of the golfer. A separate monitor displays critical swing data so coaches can recommend changes to improve their athletes’ scores on the course. The new putting green will also give BSU golfers a climate-controlled space to practice their putting skills.

"This new space pushes our programs forward and motivates players in the off-season. The clubhouse will be our space to build team skill and camaraderie," said BSU Men's Golf head coach Ekren Miller. "We are having so much fun with it."

The clubhouse is named in honor of the late Jeff “Bird” McBride, a 2010 Bemidji State graduate. McBride played on the 2007-08 BSU Men’s Golf team and the university’s club hockey team while attending BSU. He passed away unexpectedly in 2012 at the age of 24.