Inspirato Victory Keeps Dream of Pro Golf Career Alive

Haylee Harford is 26 and has plied her trade – professional golf –since 2019. She’s been a rookie twice – once on the then-Symetra Tour (now Epson Tour), and then for a year on the full LPGA Tour.

She won a little more than $70,000 in 2022, which goes fast in the travel-heavy world of a professional golfer.

In early June, after missing another cut at the LPGA’s ShopRite LPGA Classic, she decided to come to Colorado to play in her third Colorado Open.

“I didn’t really have high expectations, I just wanted to come in here and play golf and enjoy this event,” she said.

Then she nearly ran away with the 2023 Inspirato Colorado Women’s Open.

Facing a field packed with former champions, college stars and fellow Epson Tour pros, Harford started out with rounds of 66 and 68 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club. That was good for a three-stroke lead heading into the final round of the three-day tournament.

Rain poured that last day of the tournament held June 14 to 16, and the field clawed away at her lead as she sought to play steady par golf.

She held on for a one-stroke victory over two-time Colorado Women’s Open winner Becca Huffer of Denver.

The win, and the $100,000 check to the winner, left her stunned. It is her largest winning purse of her career.

“(I spent) the two rookie years learning a lot, having ups and downs and last year