Rich Harvest Farms to host 2017 NCAA golf tournaments

Northern Illinois University and Rich Harvest Farms will host the 2017 NCAA Men's and Women's Golf Championships, NCAA officials announced Thursday.

The private Sugar Grove golf course, owned by NIU grad Jerry Rich, is no stranger to major golf events. RHF successfully hosted the 2009 Solheim Cup and will host the 2015 Palmer Cup, the 2015 Western Amateur, and the LPGA's 2016 UL International Crown, a global team match-play event.

The women's championship will be held May 18-24, 2017, followed by the men's finals May 25-31.

“This is great news for NIU Athletics, for our very good friends and partners at Rich Harvest Farms and for the entire region,” said Sean T. Frazier, NIU's director of athletics.

Rich Harvest Farms was named one of America's 100 greatest golf courses by Golf Digest Magazine in 2003 and currently is ranked 45th on that list. It was the site of NCAA men's regionals in 2007 and 2014.

“NIU hasn't had the honor yet to host an NCAA Championship for any sport, so we are thrilled to be a part of this moment in NIU history,” Rich said. “It's been a passion of mine to nurture amateur golf and as a NIU alum, it is even more special that I can offer up my course for this event. Rich Harvest Farms is looking forward to bringing out the best collegiate golf teams in the nation and watching the future of professional golf emerge.”