The building located near the softball fields will be known as the Henryetta Public School Dutch Vandenborn Golf Training Facility.
“This is to honor Dutch for his efforts over the years for the golf program,” said Jayme Matlock. She pointed out his work with summer camps teaching the sport to young golfers.
The name was suggested to a committee that is charged with investigating naming any school facility.
Board member David Molet pointed out Vandenborn, “has been the face of golf and sports and Henryetta for years and years. He has kept things in high level. It will be great to honor the man after 40 years.”
Board member Pam Bealko said she doesn’t agree with naming buildings after people. She said there were discrepancies over what was told about the building. She went on to agree that Vandenborn is, “a wonderful man and has done a lot for the program.”“I think it is an outstanding thing for his legacy,” Molet said. He made the motion to name the facility after Vandenborn. “It is well-deserved. We did go into it more than we want but it is top of the line. The bottom line is we are here for the kids.”
Misty Morris clarified once named, it would remain for years to come.
The board approved naming the facility by a 3-1 vote with Bealko casting the lone dissenting vote.
The metal building contains several areas for students to practice their driving and a special putting area that contains several contours giving students the feel of real greens. Students can hit into a simulator that tells them how far their shot went as well as provide information on their swing and the path of the ball.
During good weather, garage doors open allowing the students to hit out into the practice field.
Funds toward construction came from the Henryetta Chip-In club as well a donation from the Troy Airman foundation. The school also picked up the tab for electricity and rest rooms.
