Former WVU Golfer Tim Dyer Gives Back

Former WVU Golfer Tim Dyer Gives Back

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Jan. 24, 2017) –Three decades ago, Tim Dyer was in a situation similar to current West Virginia University golfers Tristan Nicholls and Max Sear. Dyer had spent his freshman and sophomore years as a member of the WVU golf team – just as Sear and Nicholls have. While the latter two could go on to become the first four-year Mountaineer golfers since the 1980s, Dyer found his collegiate career shortened after West Virginia discontinued the program following his second year on campus.

“Losing the golf program was disappointing,” said Dyer, who now owns the Dyer Insurance agency in Clarksburg. “I was fortunate enough to have played my freshman and sophomore seasons before they discontinued the program. I always hoped it would be reintroduced to WVU and I am happy to be a part of its revitalization.”
WVU announced the reintroduction of the sport in 2013, tabbing Sean Covich to lead the first WVU golf team in more than 30 years. In September of 2015, Parkersburg native Alan Cooke became the first Mountaineer golfer to tee off in varsity competition since the early 1980s. The squad traveled the country playing in tournaments against the nation’s best, including WVU’s first-ever Big 12 Championship in May of 2016.

It was Sear who led the team at Big 12s, narrowly missing all-conference honors as a freshman. The team has flourished, taking second at the 2016 Rutherford Intercollegiate at Penn State, while Cooke made headlines as the medalist at the 97th West Virginia Amateur this summer.

“It is rewarding to see the program come back to the University,” Dyer said. “The team has a wealth of talent and under coach Covich’s tutelage, I look forward to watching their future success on and off the course.”

West Virginia has a lot to offer collegiate golfers. Strong academic programs, a great campus nestled along the Monongahela River, the opportunity to play at the nation’s best courses against the nation’s best golfers and the support of an entire state. However, the one thing WVU does not currently offer is a golf practice facility.

Dyer has pledged to help make that a reality for the Mountaineers. He has made a commitment totaling $25,000 over the course of five years towards the future construction of a golf practice facility for Covich’s program.

“Since coming to WVU in the spring of 2014, I have been overwhelmed by the passion and pride Mountaineer fans show for their school,” Covich said. “It is an honor to wear the flying WV logo and get to experience what it means to be a Mountaineer. We are in a unique situation, a new program with a proud past. Many great golfers have worn the Old Gold and Blue and being able to bring back their sport has meant a lot to them. I have enjoyed meeting many of our alumni across the nation and here in West Virginia. Tim has shown his support for us since day one of reinstating the program. It’s always great when a former player gives back and continues to have a strong connection to the team.”

Though his experience was cut short, Dyer wants others to have the opportunities that he had in his first two years on campus.

“Playing golf for WVU is one of my best memories. It means a lot to have played the sport I love while representing my home state and school I grew up supporting,” said Dyer. “I want this generation and future generations to have the same opportunity to wear the Old Gold and Blue that I was afforded. Giving back allows the program to continue to grow and represent our state in the best manner possible.”

While ground has not yet been broken on the facility, the Mountaineer Athletic Club has made great strides in its fundraising efforts on the project. Ben Murray, executive director of the MAC stated, “Funding for the golf practice facility is an ongoing process. It is great to see former letterwinners, like Tim, step up and commit to the facility. We have had an outpouring of support from alumni and friends for the golf program and we hope Tim’s commitment will inspire other letterwinners and alumni to want to do the same in order for this project to become a reality.”

For more information on supporting the WVU Golf program, please click here.

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VIA WVU Sports