Wake Forest Athletics
Week 11 Open the Gate Honoree: Curtis Strange
11/5/2024 9:34:00 AM | Football, Men's Golf
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the back-to-back 1974 and ‘75 NCAA Championship teams, former men’s golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Strange will serve as the Week 11 Open the Gate honoree.
WINSTON–SALEM, N.C. – Known to many as one of Wake Forest's best all-time athletes, those in attendance on Friday night will witness the legendary Curtis Strange ride with the Deacon on the motorcycle ahead of the Wake Forest vs California game on Nov. 8, 2024 inside Allegacy Stadium.
Prior to beginning his career at Wake Forest, Strange claimed two separate VSGA Junior Amateur Championships, in 1970 and 1972 respectively. In 1974, the Norfolk, Va. native helped the Deacons to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1974 and 1975 while also claiming an individual NCAA championship title in 1974.
While at Wake Forest, Strange earned the title "Brutus", a nickname upheld by his three All-American selections as well as his unique style of play. The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame inductee joined the PGA tour following his junior season, after becoming the youngest recipient of Wake Forest's Arnold Palmer Award.
During his time on the Tour, Strange collected 17 victories and played a total of 598 events, including two U.S. open titles in 1988 and 1989. With his two back-to-back victories, Strange became just one of seven others that have successfully defended their titles.
After retiring from professional play, Strange served as an on-course reporter for FOX Sports and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
Both the men's and women's golf teams prepare to host their Reunion Weekend on Nov. 8-10. The men's golf team will also be hosting a 50th anniversary celebration of the back-to-back 1974 and '75 NCAA Championship teams.
That weekend will feature athletics facility tours and an alumni tailgate ahead of the Wake Forest football game versus California on Friday night. There will also be a 'Putts & Pancakes' brunch on Saturday morning that is hosted and run by Wake Forest Sports Properties partner, Roll The Quad. For more information on that event, click here.
On Friday, Nov. 8 when the Wake Forest football team hosts Cal inside Allegacy Stadium at 8 p.m. on ACC Network, there will be a special on-field recognition of the 1974 and '75 title teams.
Additionally, tickets are on sale for the Wake-Cal contest here. Not to be forgotten, Wake Forest and Michigan will battle in a neutral site men's basketball game on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. on ESPN2 inside the Greensboro Coliseum and all alumni in town are encouraged to attend. Tickets for that seismic ACC-B1G hoops clash can be purchased here.
Open the Gate Information & 2024 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Bill Hayes
Week 2 - Dr. Lindsay A. Thompson
Week 3 - Dr. Jose Miguel Grave de Peralta Jr.
Week 5 - Rachel Kuehn
Week 7 - Ish Smith
Week 11 - Curtis Strange
Graphic Text:
A member of the 1974 and 1975 back-to-back NCAA championship winning teams, former men's golfer Curtis Strange is known to many as one of Wake Forest's best all-time athletes.
Effectively nicknamed "Brutus" due to his unique style of play, the three-time All American also earned an individual NCAA title to pair with his team victory in 1974. The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame inductee joined the PGA tour in 1976 following his junior season, after becoming the youngest recipient of Wake Forest's Arnold Palmer Award.
During his time on the Tour, Strange collected 17 victories and played a total of 598 events, including two U.S. open titles in 1988 and 1989. With his two back-to-back victories, Strange became just one of seven others that have successfully defended their titles.
After retiring from professional play, Strange served as an on-course reporter for FOX Sports and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
Prior to beginning his career at Wake Forest, Strange claimed two separate VSGA Junior Amateur Championships, in 1970 and 1972 respectively. In 1974, the Norfolk, Va. native helped the Deacons to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1974 and 1975 while also claiming an individual NCAA championship title in 1974.
While at Wake Forest, Strange earned the title "Brutus", a nickname upheld by his three All-American selections as well as his unique style of play. The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame inductee joined the PGA tour following his junior season, after becoming the youngest recipient of Wake Forest's Arnold Palmer Award.
During his time on the Tour, Strange collected 17 victories and played a total of 598 events, including two U.S. open titles in 1988 and 1989. With his two back-to-back victories, Strange became just one of seven others that have successfully defended their titles.
After retiring from professional play, Strange served as an on-course reporter for FOX Sports and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
Both the men's and women's golf teams prepare to host their Reunion Weekend on Nov. 8-10. The men's golf team will also be hosting a 50th anniversary celebration of the back-to-back 1974 and '75 NCAA Championship teams.
That weekend will feature athletics facility tours and an alumni tailgate ahead of the Wake Forest football game versus California on Friday night. There will also be a 'Putts & Pancakes' brunch on Saturday morning that is hosted and run by Wake Forest Sports Properties partner, Roll The Quad. For more information on that event, click here.
On Friday, Nov. 8 when the Wake Forest football team hosts Cal inside Allegacy Stadium at 8 p.m. on ACC Network, there will be a special on-field recognition of the 1974 and '75 title teams.
Additionally, tickets are on sale for the Wake-Cal contest here. Not to be forgotten, Wake Forest and Michigan will battle in a neutral site men's basketball game on Sunday, Nov. 10 at 1 p.m. on ESPN2 inside the Greensboro Coliseum and all alumni in town are encouraged to attend. Tickets for that seismic ACC-B1G hoops clash can be purchased here.
Open the Gate Information & 2024 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Bill Hayes
Week 2 - Dr. Lindsay A. Thompson
Week 3 - Dr. Jose Miguel Grave de Peralta Jr.
Week 5 - Rachel Kuehn
Week 7 - Ish Smith
Week 11 - Curtis Strange
Graphic Text:
A member of the 1974 and 1975 back-to-back NCAA championship winning teams, former men's golfer Curtis Strange is known to many as one of Wake Forest's best all-time athletes.
Effectively nicknamed "Brutus" due to his unique style of play, the three-time All American also earned an individual NCAA title to pair with his team victory in 1974. The Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame inductee joined the PGA tour in 1976 following his junior season, after becoming the youngest recipient of Wake Forest's Arnold Palmer Award.
During his time on the Tour, Strange collected 17 victories and played a total of 598 events, including two U.S. open titles in 1988 and 1989. With his two back-to-back victories, Strange became just one of seven others that have successfully defended their titles.
After retiring from professional play, Strange served as an on-course reporter for FOX Sports and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame in 2016.
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/9/26) | Wake Forest Football
Thursday, April 09
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/7/26) | Wake Forest Football
Tuesday, April 07
Spring Camp Media Availability (4/2/26) | Wake Forest Football
Thursday, April 02
Spring Camp Media Availability (3/31/26) | Wake Forest Football
Tuesday, March 31