DeKALB — Jerry Rich, owner and founder of Rich Harvest Farms, was introduced at the April 27 media day by Brandt Packer, NCAA men’s and women’s golf championship producer, and did not receive the formal introduction one might expect.

“Do we even need [to say anything?]” Packer said. “If you don’t know who this man is, I would get up and just walk right out now.”

Rich, a 1961 NIU alumnus, purchased the 1,280-acre property now known as Rich Harvest Farms in 1985.

He kept in constant contact with the university, and Rich Harvest Farms eventually became the home golf course for the NIU men’s and women’s golf teams.

NIU student-athletes and coaches expressed their gratitude and appreciation to have a home course such as this. Senior women’s golfer Sydney Brickey said it’s a great place to practice year-round.

Rich eventually added several other amenities to the property including event rooms, guest lodging services, indoor golf practice facilities and his historic 65-vehicle car museum, where the media event was held April 27.

Rich said his favorite car in his museum is a 1989 Lamborghini Countach, as he owns four of the 50 that were imported into the U.S., with 200 being built worldwide.

Rich has hosted over 50 amateur golf tournaments, including the most recent Palmer Cup and the 113th Western Amateur in 2015. He hopes to host more amateur events in the future, including trying to host the NCAA Tournament for three consecutive years in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Rich said a member from the Golf Channel approached him and suggested he try to host the Solheim Cup in 2009.

It was never something he was proactive about trying to accomplish. Rich initially thought it was only an amateur event and eventually took on the challenge of hosting both the amateur event and the LPGA part of the Solheim Cup.

Though his golf course hosted the 11th playing of the Solheim Cup in 2009, Rich does not intend to pursue any more professional events in the future.

“I’m not interested in any [professional events],” Rich said. “We’ve done one [LPGA] event, and that was it. I really enjoy amateur golf, [and] I’m more interested in bringing those kids along.”

Rich said he takes pride in his Kids Golf Foundation program and his caddie program because he wants to get the younger generations into the game of golf.

Rich said he thinks golf is a good solution for kids in need and for violence prevention.

“We’re going to put more and more golf clubs in the hands of the kids in the city of Chicago, so they can put down those guns,” Rich said. “I would rather have golf clubs in their hands.”

Rich said he is especially excited to host this event and thinks it will have a positive effect on NIU and the community.