KENOSHA, Wis. – On Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, Parkside Athletics officially dedicated the Mark Olsen Indoor Golf Center after the former Parkside head coach. More than 20 alumni and 50 attendees gathered to honor "Coach O" for his accomplishments and generosity towards the Parkside men's golf program during his career.  

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"It was certainly an honor to have the Indoor Golf Center named for me and it was equally gratifying to see donors, friends and especially former players turn out for the dedication," Olsen said. "I wish to thank Andrew Gavin and everyone in the Athletic Department that worked on the event for making it a special evening. Go Rangers!" 

The night featured speeches from Director of Athletics Andrew Gavin, head golf coach Tyler Wollberg, senior student-athlete Ray Cordova, Mark Olsen and UW-Parkside Chancellor Deborah Ford.  

"It was incredible to see such a great turnout at the Mark Olsen Golf Center Dedication, but that shows the impact that Coach O had on his student-athletes and the Parkside men's golf program," Gavin said. "To this day, Coach O continues to share his expertise and generosity with Parkside and the men's golf program and we will be forever grateful for him. Thanks to him, our golf program can now practice year-round in one of the best indoor golf centers in NCAA Division II and in the region."

The Mark Olsen Indoor Golf Center, which is located on the second floor of the Sports & Activity Center, was a 100% donor funded and $200,000 project with more than 60 donors. The new space features two state-of-the-art Foresight golf simulators with GCQuad Launch Monitors and a putting green. With these additions, the facility will allow up to 10 athletes to be practicing at one time.  

"With over 60 people in attendance and half of them being former student-athletes, it was a testament to what type of coach, Coach O is," Wollberg said. "His relationships that he had with his student athletes was a class act and a testament to what Coach O is about.  He gave his SA's a great experience and that is the #1 goal of any Coach." 

Olsen coached the Parkside men's golf program for 17 seasons, leading the team to four NCAA Tournaments while being named the GLVC Coach of the Year in 2005. He coached five All-Conference golfers and one GLVC Freshman of the Year.