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"It's your building, dude!" Martin said to Peter Jacobsen.
"It's your building, it's your building!" Jacobsen replied.
Each was correct, as The Jake is both a celebration of Oregon golf's past, and a foundation for its future. The building features several nods to players and moments produced by the men's and women's teams over the years, eventually including the U.S. Open trophy won this summer by Wyndham Clark. And it is also a state-of-the-art training facility for current and future Ducks.
"Two of our most important pillars are providing an exceptional student-athlete experience and the ability to compete for championships, and this significantly enhances both," UO director of athletics Rob Mullens said.
"This has been a long-time need. We've had the vision to build something for both our women's and men's golf programs that provides the latest in technology and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. And with the help of so many donors — Peter and Jan, Jim and Linda (Pliska) — the ability to finally have it come to life and see our student-athletes get to experience it, it's an exciting day."
The Jake was built at Emerald Valley Golf Club, which is owned by another UO golf alum, Jim Pliska. Construction was overseen by Jeff Gaskill of O&S Contractors.
Thursday's tour for the Jacobsens was led by Justin Fisher of the Duck Athletic Fund. He noted the admirable way Peter Jacobsen represented himself, his home state and his alma mater while playing professionally for more than four decades after leaving the UO in 1976, and how that inspired future generations of Ducks.
"We really believe what we've built here is going to advance that idea into the future," Fisher said.
The entryway to the facility features a large wall decorated with the layout of a putting green. Upon walking into The Jake on Thursday afternoon, Jacobsen recognized it immediately — the hole at Eugene Country Club where Sulman Raza made the putt to win the 2016 national title.
The interior of the building is part high-tech teaching facility, part players' lounge. Bay doors open so players can practice hitting on surfaces containing TrackMan radar, and Swing Catalyst software.
"This is cutting-edge," Jacobsen said. "This is what everyone's working on today."
Outside, there are nine covered driving-range bays. Space heaters will allow UO men and women to stay dry and warm for practice in any conditions.
"It came together even better than I could have hoped," Martin said. "It's such a weighty, substantial, awesome building. And it's going to help us a ton."
There is a lounge area inside the facility, and also a covered patio area outside. It's a space that will encourage team bonding, camaraderie that can pay dividends out on the course. The indoor PuttView practice system can be programmed to allow players to compete in shuffleboard-style games of accuracy
"Golf is a game, and games are supposed to be fun," Jacobsen said. "So golf is supposed to be fun, right?"
Thursday's tour for the Jacobsens wrapped up on the backside of The Jake, which overlooks outdoor chipping and putting practice areas. The UO women's team toured the facility Wednesday and immediately put that feature to use, and the UO men were doing the same Thursday after their tour.
As the Ducks practiced, Jacobsen looked on with a proud smile.
"I love this right here," he said. "This is what it's all about."
