Studebaker Golf Course expands partnership

SOUTH BEND — The City of South Bend’s Venues Parks & Arts (VPA) Department announced an expanded partnership and lease agreement with First Tee of Indiana-michiana. Studebaker Golf Course, 718 East Calvert Street, located directly east of Riley High School, serves as the home for the partnership. The successful “Kids Play Free” program, which launched last year, has already accounted for more than 1,900 rounds of golf played this season.

The expanded partnership includes a lease agreement, which allows for the development of an addition to the current clubhouse: the John & Kathy Postle Golf Learning Center. The new space, completely funded by private donors, will serve as a learning center for kids who are participating in First Tee’s program, as well as allowing First Tee to grow its community outreach. The golf course will remain open for play during construction.

Studebaker Golf Course is a beloved 9-hole course and a South Bend tradition, spanning generations of golfers. In fact, the learning center’s primary donor learned the game at Studebaker Golf Course. “The friends and the memories made at Studebaker will always be very special to me,” commented John Postle. “When I heard that First Tee was partnering with Studebaker, I knew that junior golf was going to flourish here in Michiana. Golf is a game, however, under the guidance of First Tee, kids will learn principles that extend beyond the golf course.”

The Studebaker family gifted Studebaker Park to the City of South Bend, allowing for plans to develop a municipal golf course. The history of Studebaker is deeply rooted in education and youth golf. In 2019, VPA and First Tee of Michiana announced an initiative to offer free golf for kids at Studebaker Golf Course. For more information about the celebration, visit www. golfstudebaker.com.

First Tee is an international youth development organization, dedicated to introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to kids and teens. Through a variety of on-course and off-course programming, First Tee helps shape the character of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect, and perseverance. For more information about First Tee Indiana-michiana, contact Jenny Zimmerman at jzimmerman@indianagolf.org.

Venues Parks & Arts is a department in the City of South Bend that inspires a more livable South Bend for all, connecting people to emotionally engaging experiences and to one another. For more information about Venues Parks & Arts, visit www.sbvpa.org.