PROPEAKS The Official Publication of the Colorado PGA May 2016
What’s Inside? IVY Pro Am Set for May 25, 2016 Colorado PGA Part of Golf Day at the Capitol Tournament Season Set to Get in Gear!
Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
The Official Magazine of the Colorado PGA Pro Peaks is produced by the Colorado PGA
Colorado PGA Officers
West Chapter Officers
Ty Thompson, PGA Vice-President | 2015-2016 Colorado Springs Country Club
Ed Marzec, PGA Vice-President | 2015-2016 Country Club of the Rockies
Ben Welsh, PGA Secretary | 2015-2016 Eagle-Vail Golf Club
Jeff Boyer, PGA Secretary | 2015-2016 Eagle Ranch Golf Course
Barry Milstead, PGA Honorary President | 2015-2016 Valley Country Club
Darren Szot, PGA Honorary President | 2015-2016 The Club at Cordillera
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Andy Benson, PGA | 2014-2016 Highlands Ranch Golf Club
Eric Bradley, PGA | 2014-2016 Eagle Ranch Golf Club
Sam Chapman, PGA | 2014-2016 Blackstone Country Club
Ian Bruce, PGA | 2014-2016 The Club at Cordillera
Rick Ellefson, PGA | 2015-2017 PGA Member
Jacques Deyoe, PGA | 2016-2018 Aspen Glen Club
Scott Erwin, PGA | 2015-2017 Maroon Creek Club
Eric Feely, PGA | 2014-2016 The Bridges Country Club
Kyle Heyen, PGA | District 9 Dir. Hiwan Golf Club
Brett Gagnon, PGA | 2016-2018 Red Sky Golf Club
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President | 2015-2016 Murphy Creek Golf Course
Colorado PGA REACH Trustees
Mike Mendelson, PGA President | 2015-2016 City of Grand Junction
Spencer Zinn Chairman
Jim Hajek, PGA | 2015-2017 Fossil Trace Golf Club
CJ Rhyne, PGA | 2016-2018 GJ Golf
Charles ‘Vic’ Kline, PGA | Past District 9 Director Indian Tree Golf Club
Tim Tafoya, PGA | 2014-2016 Bookcliff Country Club
Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA | 2016-2018 Country Club of Colorado Josh Miller, PGA | 2016-2018 GolfTEC Dave Troyer, PGA | 2016-2018 CommonGround Golf Course
Luke Brosterhous | 2016-2018 Catamount Ranch and Club
Anne Broholm CEO AHEAD Tom Bauerle Owner Colorado Golf and Turf Brad Dombaugh CEO PSA Worldwide Corp., INC. Walter Glover Former Chief Financial Officer USOC Theo Gregory Senior Vice President - El Pomar Foundation George Lee Managing Director – Investments Wells Fargo Scott McGraw Cherry Creek Insurance Group Vice President of Employee Benefits Honarable Sue Payton President SCI Aerospace Inc. Lisa Potvin Captain United States Navy LTG Ed Soriano, US Army (Ret) Director, Business Development Global Land Forces - Northrop Grumman Corporation
Staff
Executive Director/CEO Eddie Ainsworth, PGA eainsworth@ pgahq.com P (303) 996-1593 C (719) 761-6125 Assistant Executive Director Foundation Programs Keith Soriano, PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1590 C (720) 841-1006 Assistant Executive Director Section Programs Patrick Salva psalva@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1597 C (303) 246-1007 Tournament Director Justin Limon, PGA jlimon@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1588 C (720) 390-1160 Junior Golf Director Holly Champion, PGA hchampion@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1591 C (217) 232-1790 Executive Assistant Annie O’Donnell adonnell@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1595 Employment Consultant Bruce Lubach, PGA blubach@pgahq.com P | (623) 243-9199 C | (402) 802-8241
Bill Vogeney Executive VP and Chief Lending Officer Ent Federal Credit Union
Independent Directors Theo Gregory Spencer Zinn
Colorado PGA 6630 Bear Dance Drive | Larkspur, CO 80118 P | (303) 681-0742 www.coloradopga.com Pro Peaks is distributed free to members and affiliates of the Colorado PGA twelve times per year. The articles and other information contained within this publication are informational and do not necessarily represent the view or opinions of the Colorado PGA. The Colorado PGA assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made for or by any product in this publication whether reported or advertised. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Colorado PGA is prohibited.
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President’s Report 5 April Showers Bring a Busy May! 6 8
District Director Report PGA Junior League, National Instruction Day and Much More!
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Section News IVY Pro Am Set for May 25, 2016
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Support Colorado PGA REACH with Donations
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Colorado PGA Partners For Golf Day at the Capital
Exec. Director’s Report Engage, Equip and Empower!
11 In Case You Missed It… Colorado PGA Section Spotlight 11 Directory App Feature Enabled 12
Colorado PGA – Spread Far and Wide
PGA of America News 14 Get Golf Ready Continues to Thrive 15
CBS Sports Presents “Golf’s Best Stories End in Thanks”
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Member News Route 411 – Member Update
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Quarter Century Feature Jeff Hanson, PGA
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Jeff Seltz, PGA
29 Registration Extended for Match Play Championships
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John Hanrahan
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Krieger Wins Todd Creek GC
Sponsor Feature Scorecard Economics 101
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Fitzgerald Notches Win at Valley Country Club Pro Am
West Chapter News 31 Player of the Year Update 21 West Chapter Spring Meeting Recap The Buzz 32 Social Media Update 21 West Chapter Tournament Schedule Section Partners 34 Partners Player Development News 23 Judy Alvarez Featured at PGA HOPE Training 24
Junior Golf News Fall Golf in Schools Application Period Closes May 15, 2016
25 ’16 and ’17 PGA JLG Championship Set for Arizona’s Grayhawk Golf Course 27
Use Drive, Chip and Putt to Your Advantage
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Encourage Your Juniors to Register for Drive, Chip and Putt
Tournaments 28 Morton Wins Columbine CC Stroke Play presented by the PGA Tour
Save The Date May 5, 2016 Pelican Lakes Stroke Play Pelican Lakes Golf and Country Club
May 15, 2016 US Open Local Qualifier Broadmoor Golf Club
May 23, 2016 Myran Craig Pro-Pro Championship Colorado Golf Club
May 9, 2016 The Ridge at Castle Pines North Pro Am The Ridge at Castle Pines North
May 16, 2016 Maui Jim Pro-Pro-Pro Championship Fossil Trace Golf Club
May 25, 2016 Ft. Carson - Ivy Pro Am Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course
May 9, 2016 US Open Local Qualifier The Heritage at Westmoor
May 20, 2016 West Chapter Pro-Pro Championship Ironbridge Golf Club
June 1-3, 2016 CoBank Colorado Senior Open Green Valley Ranch Golf Club
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May Newsletter
What’s Inside
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
April Showers Bring a Busy May! By Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA
I hope you are doing well and we have seen the end of the winter weather that has stuck around too long! May is always a very exciting time of year for the members of the Colorado Section as it’s time to put away the ski’s and head back out to the golf course. As you continue to fill out your seasonal staff, I encourage you to stay engaged and involved as we have a great lineup of events coming up this month.
The Myran Craig Pro-Pro Championship will again be hosted at Colorado Golf Club the following week, on Monday, May 23, 2016. This annual two-person event always marks the beginning of the truly competitive golf season. Don’t miss out on your chance to sign up as registration is moving quickly!
IVY Pro Am Coming up at the End of the Month
In addition to those two events, registration for the four season-long Match Play Championships will be closing soon. While these events may be a bit of a time commitment, they are a phenomenal way to meet new Colorado PGA Professionals outside your inner circle and to compete with some of the best players we have in the Section.
Later this month we will again be hosting the IVY Pro Am at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course at Ft. Carson on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. This event, in its fifth year, partners one PGA Professional with three soldiers, whether active duty or retired in a fun day of golf and camaraderie. PGA Professionals are asked to bring along tee gifts for your team and to participate in the instruction clinic prior to the 1:30p Shotgun start. For more information or to register for the event, please click here. If you happen to have questions about the event, please click here. Championships Starting to Ramp Up May really is the start of our tournament season as we host our first two championships of the year, the Pro-Pro-Pro Championship and the Myran Craig Pro-Pro Championship.
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President Colorado PGA Head Professional Murphy Creek GC LCore@auroragov.org
The Pro-Pro-Pro Championship will be held at Fossil Trace Golf Club on Monday, May 16, 2016. The Jim Engh designed club is a perfect venue for the scramble format! If the opportunity to get out and play in this always fun event isn’t enough, we have a full lineup of sponsors for the day! Maui Jim will be hosting a seminar prior to the start of the event and the winning team will receive sunglasses from the company. Antigua will be giving each participant a top-of-theline shirt and Jones Golf Bags will be awarding the winning team a custom golf bag for each player. And finally, Masek Golf Cars of Colorado will be on hand, as will PTE Golf. This all makes for a great event that I encourage you to register for!
Match Play Events Starting
May Newsletter
President’s Message
Don’t Forget About Our Sponsors As you can see from the two Championships that are coming up, we have the full support of our number of sponsors in these two events alone. Without them, our events wouldn’t be what they are. I can’t encourage you enough to support those that support us. If you are the decision maker at your club, please at least consider making your purchases from our sponsors. For a full list of 2016 sponsors, please click here. Scholarships to be Announced this Month May is always an exciting month here in the Colorado Section. Not only do we start getting into the heart of the golf season, along with the PGA of America , we will be announcing the winners of National and Section scholarships later this month. If you happen to have a child or grandchild in the running, good luck to the both of you! If you have a son or daughter that will soon be attending college, I strongly recommend taking the time to familiarize yourself with this process so that you can take advantage of it when the time comes. For more information on the PGA of America and Colorado PGA Scholarships, please click here. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any of my fellow officers or Board Members if you have any questions. Sincerely,
Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President – Colorado Section PGA Certified Head Golf Professional - Murphy Creek GC lcore@auroragov.org Direct Line -- 303-739-1562
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
District 9 Director Report
PGA Junior League, National Instruction Day and Much More! By Kyle Heyen, PGA
PGA Junior League Golf
National Instruction Day
The 2016 and 2017 PGA Junior League Golf Championships will be held at picturesque Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year’s Championship will be played Nov. 19-21, on the Raptor course.
The Colorado Section was very proud and excited to be part of the inaugural “National Instruction Day” on Wednesday, May 4 at Fossil Trace Golf Club. Our PGA team of instructors was Hank Haney, Sandy LaBauve and Colorado Section member Trent Wearner. A special thank you to Jim Hajek and his team at Fossil Trace for hosting this great event.
Eight PGA Junior League Golf Teams that advance out of the Regional Championships in September and October will contend for the title. The 10-player teams, matching East vs. West regions, will compete in a two-person-scramble format, with coaches allowed to substitute players every three holes, so that all team members can participate.
Kyle Heyen, PGA District 9 Director PGA of America Head Professional Hiwan Golf Club
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The Golf Channel – in partnership with the PGA of America – announced earlier this year its plans for the inaugural “National Instruction Day,” airing on Wednesday, May 4, and featuring a dedicated day of live programming devoted to helping golfers improve their game. National Instruction Day will bring together several of the most respected and recognized PGA Professionals in the game – a culmination of a 100-day campaign celebrating the PGA of America’s Centennial – staging live clinics on Golf Channel, originating from golf courses around the U.S., and spanning across four time zones, beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
A key initiative of PGA REACH, the PGA of America’s charitable arm, PGA Junior League Golf is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls ages 13 and under to learn and enjoy the game. Kids play on teams with friends and wear numbered jerseys, learning golf with professional instruction and direction from PGA and LPGA Teaching Professionals. “The PGA of America is delighted to bring the PGA Junior League Golf Championship to the beautiful Southwest and Grayhawk Golf Club,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “This is yet another example of how PGA Junior League Golf is furthering its mission to connect kids with the game in a fun and recreational environment.”
GOLDEN, CO - MAY 4 4: The Golf Channel and the PGA hosts National Instruction Day at Fossil Trace Golf Club on May 4, 2016 in Golden, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
“National Instruction Day may be the most impactful instruction initiative we’ve ever engaged in at Golf Channel,” said Kevin Schultz, senior director of lifestyle content for Golf Channel. “And that’s significant, given that instruction has been a pillar of our brand from the very beginning. With the support of the PGA of America and its Professionals, for the first time ever, we’ll be able to assemble the game’s most distinguished instructors on one given day, with one goal in mind: to help golfers play better and have more fun.”
Get Golf Ready Get Golf Ready continues to introduce thousands of adults to the game of golf each year with a record number of 107,485 men and women participating in programs in 2015 (a nine percent increase from the 98,919 participants in 2014). In addition, Get Golf Ready had success in retaining golfers with approximately nine out of 10 students continuing to play golf in their first year. More than 465,000 students have participated in Get Golf Ready since its inception in 2009. Now in its eighth year, Get Golf Ready is an industrysupported, fun and affordable program designed to introduce golf to the millions of adults who have never played or have minimal golf experience. Get Golf Ready offers a series of lessons in a group setting that focus on basic instruction on chipping, putting and full swing techniques, as well as information on how to navigate the clubhouse and golf course, etiquette and rules of golf. PGA Disaster Relief Fund The PGA Disaster Relief Fund was created to provide assistance to PGA members who find themselves faced with temporary financial problems due to medical emergencies or natural disasters such as flooding or storms. The PGA Disaster Relief Fund is supported exclusively by donations from PGA Professionals. This program was implemented in July 2000, therefore, no pre-existing conditions prior to July 2000 will be considered.
Congratulation to Quarter Century PGA Members We’ve had a number of members elected to the Quarter Century Club over the past few months. Congratulations to all of the members and be sure to check out their feature in this issue of Pro Peaks. Don L. Chavez, PGA Colorado Section; RM John P. Hanrahan, PGA J and R Club Repair. Fort Collins, CO Jeff C. Hanson, PGA Red Sky Golf Club,Wolcott, CO Michael E. Northern, PGA Colorado Springs, CO
May Newsletter
National Instruction Day also will serve as an exclamation point on the PGA of America’s celebration of its Centennial in 2016. The 100-day celebration campaign began with a tribute from the PGA’s “Outdoor Demo Day” during its annual PGA Merchandise Show in January, which featured ceremonial tee shots with PGA Professionals from each of the 41 PGA Sections, along with members of PGA Junior League Golf. National Instruction Day on Wednesday, May 4, will mark the 100th day of the campaign. Since January, Golf Channel has been airing PGA Section spotlights on Morning Drive, profiling a charitable, social or educational program initiative taking place within each of the 41 PGA Sections.
Patrick M. Reidy, PGA Inverness Golf Club, Englewood, CO Dale Smigelsky, PGA Collindale Golf Club, Fort Collins, CO Jeffrey D. Seltz, PGA The Club at Rolling Hills, Golden, CO Andrew M. Tucker, PGA Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood, CO I hope everyone has a great May of golf. Please feel free to call me or email me at kyle@hiwan. com if you have any questions.
Kyle Heyen National PGA Director, District 9 Head Professional, Hiwan Golf Club kyle@hiwan.com
As you receive your annual dues, please consider making the voluntary contributions to PGA Disaster Relief. In FY 2015/2016, roughly 11,000 members and apprentices donated to this fund.
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine 8
Executive Director’s Message
Engage, Equip and Empower! By Eddie Ainsworth, PGA
My Fellow Colorado PGA Professionals, A lot of great things are happening in our Section and hopefully Golf Season and Good Golf Weather is finally here to stay. Knowing that everyone is getting extremely busy I just want to focus on three simple, but impactful words. ENGAGE, EQUIP, EMPOWER. This is our focus and our goal as your Colorado PGA Section Staff as we strive to serve you, our Colorado PGA Members and Apprentices.
Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director Colorado PGA eainsworth@pgahq.com P | (303) 996-1593 C | (719) 761-6125
Shortly you will be receiving a very detailed Membership Survey, and also an invitation to participate in Membership Engagement Committee Roundtables throughout the season. These two vehicles will allow for us to hear from you and how we can best support you, and also provide opportunities for you to build your network with other PGA Professionals. I’m a firm believer in the old proverb that “as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another”. That is why we want to encourage you to ENGAGE with us, as your input is vital to us so we can become better in what we do, and encourage you to engage with your fellow Colorado PGA Professionals, as together we all can achieve more. EQUIPPING our PGA Professionals is a top priority and at the forefront of all we do. Our goal is to offer programs, resources, and business tools to our PGA Members that will enhance their impact and job performance. So please let me encourage you to be very detailed in responding to the Membership Survey as we take very seriously our role in assisting you with your Career Development.
Ultimately we want to provide each of you with as much support as we possibly can to EMPOWER you to reach your full potential and become the person you are destined to be. All of us strive to make a positive impact, strive to be fruitful, and strive to grow. ENGAGE, EQUIP, EMPOWER. Let me encourage you to take a few minutes and think on these. Am I engaged? What am I doing to equip not only myself, but my staff, to be empowered to make the most significant impact for my operation, our careers, and our compensation? Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Please let us know what we can do to assist you in any way. Very Respectfully,
Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director/CEO Colorado PGA 6630 Bear Dance Drive Larkspur, CO 80118 eainsworth@pgahq.com O – 303-996-1593 M – 719-761-6125
IVY Pro Am Set for May 25, 2016 T
he IVY Pro Am is an annual event put on by the Colorado PGA and hosted by Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course at Ft. Carson in conjunction with the Warrior Transition Battalion and active duty soliders at Ft. Carson. The event pairs one PGA Professional with three members of the armed forces, either active duty or veterans.
The event is set for Wednesday, May 25, 2016 and wil begin with a clinic at 11:00am followed by the tournament at 1:30pm. Colorado PGA Professionals are asked to bring along a tee gift for each of their partners. Following golf is a hosted dinner and awards reception. Entry into the event for Colorado PGA Professionals is complimentary.
May Newsletter
Section News
For more information or to register for the event, please click here.
Support Colorado PGA REACH with Donations 4-Some’s and Wine Wanted
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s the weather warms this spring so does the need to support Colorado PGA REACH. Two of the largest fundraising events for the charitable arm of the Colorado PGA are set for June as we partner with Colorado AvidGolfer for the Colorado AvidGolfer Corporate Cup (June 3-4, 2016) and we host our very own Colorado PGA REACH Invitational (June 27, 2016). The best way to support Colorado PGA REACH in both of these events is to make a donation of a four-some at your club and/or donating a select bottle of wine from your club. The four-some donations will be used as part of the silent auction at both events while the wine will be grouped together to form one large silent auction item that will be sold at the Colorado PGA REACH Invitational. If you are able to make a donation, we will help coordinate with you on how to make your donation. If you are interested in helping out, please click here and let us know how you can support.
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Section News
Colorado PGA Partners For Golf Day at the Capital T
he Colorado PGA came together with the other members of the Colorado Golf Alliance (Colorado Golf Association, Colorado Women’s Golf Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Mile High Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America) to host Golf Day at the Capital on April 13, 2016. The event, held in the West Foyer of the Capital Building, was meant to create awareness among legislators about the business of golf in the state. Representatives of each association hosted breakfast and met with legislators from 7:00a to 9:00a and used a combined industry scorecard (see below) to tell the story of the industry. Following the informal meeting, the contingent on hand was invited to the floor of the House of Representatives where they were introduced to all of the delegates on hand. “I really thought it was a successful event” noted Jennifer Cassell, lobbyist with Bowditch and Cassell Public Affairs who represents the alliance. In all sixteen representatives and four senators stopped by to visit and learn about the golf industry. While both the House and Senate are going to wrap up there sessions in the coming weeks, look for plans soon on how the alliance will continue educating our state legislators in 2016 and 2017. Colorado Golf Alliance Industry Scorecard Hole
Par
Score
Economic Impact 1
Direct Revenues
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3
Birdie
Colorado’s Golf Industry contributes over $560 Million in Direct Revenues to Colorado’s Economy.
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Indirect Economic Activity
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3
Birdie
When considering Indirect Economic Activity using IMPLAN regional Economic Analysis, golf’s total impact in Colorado is $1.2 Billion dollars.
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Jobs
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2
Birdie
0ver 10,900 jobs are provided by Colorado Golf Courses.
Environment 4
Wildlife Habitat
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3
Birdie
Colorado Golf Courses encompass 36,500 total acres of land. 0f this total, 19,800 are irrigated and over 12,000 acres are unmaintained areas that provide wildlife habitat.
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Annual Water Consumption
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3
Birdie
Colorado Golf Courses use just under one-third of one percent of the state’s annual water consumption.
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Non-Potable Water Use
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4
Birdie
88% of water used on golf course is non-potable.
Philanthropic Efforts
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Golf in Schools program
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3
Birdie
Colorado’s Golf Industry provides a state-wide, no-cost, Golf in Schools program where 40,000 plus students have experienced a sport for a lifetime over the past five years.
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Affordable and Accessable
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2
Birdie
Colorado’s Golf Industry seeks to create a culture of inclusiveness by communicating and demonstrating that golf is an affordable and accessible game for all abilities, ages, and backgrounds.
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Therapeutic Rehabilitation
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4
Birdie
Colorado’s Golf Industry provides therapeutic rehabilitation to military Veterans through the game of golf offering what many Veterans are missing: competition via a sport they can play for the rest of their lives.
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In Case You Missed It...
Colorado Section PGA Spotlight Aired on Golf Channel April 15, 2016 The PGA Section Spotlight Series, highlighting a different PGA Section for 41 days on Golf Channel’s “Morning Drive” program, kicked off during the PGA Merchandise Show and wrapped up this past week with the Met Section. Each profile featured a “Get to Know the PGA Section” fact box and the Section’s signature program, which focuses on charitable, social and educational endeavors enrich the lives of others.
May Newsletter
Section News
The North Florida PGA’s inspiring “Putting on Smiles” program, where PGA members give instruction to patients in a network of children’s hospitals, launched the Centennial campaign. The series concludes May 4 with the Metropolitan PGA Section’s Met PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, which is conducted at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for the Montrose Virginia. The Colorado Section was highlighted on Friday, April 15, 2016. The special focused on the very successful Golf in Schools program launched in 2010 in conjunction with the Colorado Open Golf Foundation.
Directory App Featured Enabled Partner Directory to be Added Soon - Printable Versions Available
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he Colorado PGA is happy to announce that BlueGolf, our tournament software company, has recently developed a directory feature that will be included in the Colorado PGA mobile app available on the Apple and Android platforms. This feature will be integrated with the PGA of America database and will be updated in real time. This feature is still in the beta testing phase and will be available in the coming weeks. With the new feature becoming available, the Board of Directors has decided to discontinue printing and publishing the Colorado PGA Member Directory. For those of you that would still like a hard copy of the directory, we will continue creating a version you can download and print at home. The printable version will be updated on a quarterly basis and will be available via email, digital magazine and ColoradoPGA.com. Click here to access the full printable directory Click here to access the Membership Directory only Click here to access the Facility Directory only Click here to access the Sales Rep Directory only
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA - Spread Far and Wide T
he geographic regions covered by the 41 Section of the PGA of America vary greatly. On the small end in geographic space, there are Sections like the Metropolitan Section which covers all of New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, the Hudson Valley and most of Fairfield, Ct. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Pacific Northwest Section covers parts of five states (Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho, Western Montana, and Alaska). In terms of numbers, the difference in Section is even vaster. The Carolina’s Section, the largest Section in the country covering North and South Carolina includes more than 1,700 members as part of their Section. On the small end, the Central New York and Northeastern New York Section include just 150 members each. Here in Colorado, geographically our section covers all Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and a small part of South Dakota. Just recently, the Section added the town of Sturgis, South Dakota to our Section as it sits directly between Rapid City and Spearfish, two cities already included in our Section. As far as members go, with 716 we stand as the fourteenth largest section in the county.
Eastern Colorado 5 members and apprentices Ft. Morgan, CO Sterling, CO Northern Colorado 53 members and apprentices Eaton, CO Fort Collins, CO Greeley, CO Windsor, CO Northwest Colorado 12 members and apprentices Craig, CO Steamboat Springs, CO
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Roaring Fork Valley 32 members and apprentices Aspen, CO Basalt, CO Carbondale, CO Glenwood Springs, CO Snowmass Village, CO South Dakota 9 members and apprentices Rapid City, SD Spearfish, SD South Central Colorado 96 members and apprentices Colorado Springs, CO Monument, CO Pueblo, CO Southern Colorado 5 members and apprentices Salida, CO Pagosa Springs, CO South Western Colorado 12 members and apprentices Durango, CO Crested Butte, CO Gunnison, CO
Vail Valley 67 members and apprentices Avon, CO Breckenridge, CO Dillon, CO Eagle, CO Edwards, CO Granby, CO Gypsum, CO Silverthorne, CO Vail, CO Western Colorado 23 members and apprentices Fruita, CO Grand Juntion, CO Montrose, CO Wyoming 30 members and apprentices Casper, WY Cheyenne, WY Gillette, WY Saratoga, WY
Western Colorado
Denver Metro 465 members and apprentices Aurora, CO Boulder, CO Broomfield, CO Castle Rock, CO Centennial, CO Denver, CO Englewood, CO Golden, CO Highlands Ranch, CO Lakewood, CO Littleton, CO Loveland, CO Parker, CO Westminster, CO
Northwest Colorado
While we land right in the middle in most categories when it comes to size, we must remember that our members and apprentices are spread far and wide. Below is a breakout of where our members live and work broken into geographic regions of the Section.
South Western Colorado
Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Section News
May Newsletter
South Dakota
Wyoming
Northern Colorado Vail Valley
Denver Metro Eastern Colorado
Roaring Fork Valley
South Central Colorado
Southern Colorado
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Get Golf Ready Continues to Thrive as an Affordable, Fun Introduction to Golf
Program introduced more than 107,000 beginners to the game last year ...
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et Golf Ready continues to introduce thousands of adults to the game of golf each year with a record number of 107,485 men and women participating in programs in 2015 (a nine percent increase from the 98,919 participants in 2014). In addition, Get Golf Ready had success in retaining golfers with approximately nine out of 10 students continuing to play golf in their first year. More than 465,000 students have participated in Get Golf Ready since its inception in 2009. Now in its eighth year, Get Golf Ready is an industry-supported, fun and affordable program designed to introduce golf to the millions of adults who have never played or have minimal golf experience. Get Golf Ready offers a series of lessons in a group setting that focus on basic instruction on chipping, putting and full swing techniques, as well as information on how to navigate the clubhouse and golf course, etiquette and rules of golf. “PGA Professionals nationwide are offering Get Golf Ready to their communities as a fun, affordable and accessible entryway to golf,” said PGA President Derek Sprague. “Get Golf Ready has a proven track record of welcoming newcomers to the game and helping participants feel comfortable on the course.” Furthermore, the program continues to diversify the game and introduce newcomers who may not ordinarily seek traditional lessons from a facility. Last year, 66 percent of participants were women; 24 percent were people of multi-cultural backgrounds; and 39 percent had never picked up a club. Golf’s health, social and professional benefits help draw beginners to the game, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It’s a healthy activity that provides for quality, uninterrupted time outdoors – health and fitness experts advocate taking 10,000 steps per day, which is the equivalent of 18 holes or five miles walked. Golf also provides an outlet to strengthen relationships with friends, family, or colleagues. In a
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recent survey from Sports & Leisure Research Group, both men and women executives ranked golf as the most effective networking activity with clients and co-workers, and nearly 60 percent of business men and women have closed deals at the golf course. Additional statistics on Get Golf Ready’s impact on the industry include: The number of students per facility reached a record high in 2015 at an average of 40.9 students per facility, an eight percent increase from 2014 (37.9). In 2015, 97 percent of participants said that Get Golf Ready met or exceeded their expectations. Get Golf Ready continues to prove successful in retaining golfers: in 2015, 87 percent (or approximately nine out of 10 Get Golf Ready participants) continued playing in their first year, an increase from 81 percent in 2014. You can learn how to implement Get Golf Ready at your facility by visiting PGA.org/GetGolfReady.
Special Debuts Saturday, May 7, 2016 on CBS
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ecognized as the leaders in the game of golf, PGA Professionals also build lifetime relationships with their students. CBS Sports—in celebration of the PGA of America’s Centennial and its #ThxPGAPro campaign—presents “Golf’s Best Stories End in Thanks,” an hour-long special, narrated by Bill Macatee, which introduces viewers to PGA Professionals nationwide and the profound impact they have made in their students’ lives.
May Newsletter
CBS Sports Presents “Golf’s Best Stories End in Thanks”
The program will air on Saturday, May 7, from 2–3 p.m. ET on CBS, prior to third-round coverage of the Wells Fargo Championship. Notable “Thanks PGA Pro” messages include: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; 2011 Champion Keegan Bradley; 2014 FedEx Cup Champion Billy Horschel; LPGA Tour player Cheyenne Woods; “CBS This Morning” co-anchor Charlie Rose, with PGA Head Professional Jeff Gschwind, of Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, New York; and “NCIS: New Orleans” actor Lucas Black, with PGA Director of Instruction Rick Grayson, at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield, Missouri. Among the PGA Professional-student profiles: • Andy Mitchell, PGA Director of Golf & Rooms Operations at Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando, Florida, site of multiple programming for military veterans with disabilities through PGA HOPE and On Course Foundation. Sgt. John McAfee, one of Mitchell’s students, is a Purple Heart recipient who was awarded two Commendation and Achievement Medals during his tenure in the U.S. Army. • Aurora Kirchner-McClain, PGA Director of Instruction at Kingwood (Texas) Country Club and her touching connection with 9-year-old PGA Junior League golfer Jhett Skaggs, who is awaiting his second heart transplant. • Cameron Doan, a PGA Head Professional in Dallas, has a student roster that includes PGA Champion Rich Beem. Yet, Doan draws much of his inspiration from his daughter, Charlsie, 14, who was born without a right hand. In addition to helping his daughter learn the game, Doan taught her the long-lasting and charitable impact golf can have off the course. • Gerry Hammond, PGA, Owner of the Hammond Golf Academy in Columbus, Ohio, boasts an impressive
“Wall of Fame,” which lists 70 names of studentathletes he instructed who have earned college golf scholarships. One of Gerry’s students is fellow PGA Professional Wyatt Worthington II, a graduate of Methodist’s PGA Golf Management University program, who now instructs at the Academy, alongside his mentor, and will compete at the 49th PGA Professional Championship. • PGA/LPGA Professionals Donna White and Judy Alvarez have spearheaded a successful PGA HOPE program in South Florida, and have seen first-hand the difference golf is making in the lives of veterans. Alvarez is a national trainer for PGA HOPE, and three-time LPGA Tour winner White is the PGA Head Professional at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach. One veteran, Mary Anderson-Kokell, suffered from severe flashbacks for the past 30 years, but overcame them the day she started playing golf. Anderson-Kokell praises Alvarez and White for giving her a new beginning in her life. • Tom Mason met a healthy Jalen Castle at Par Tee Golf Center, in West Columbia, South Carolina, where Mason is the Head Professional and owner. Castle was later diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent a minimally invasive spinal surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia. Between Mason’s guidance and PGA Junior League Golf, Castle is back on the course. Castle met her hero, LPGA major champion Stacy Lewis, who overcame her own similar spinal condition as a teenager. Golfers everywhere are invited to upload videos, photos and messages to tell their story in support of their favorite PGA Professional at ThxPGAPro.com or on their social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) using #thxpgapro.
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Member Update
Route 411
An update on our Colorado PGA Members
Happy Birthday! May 1 John A. Williams, PGA Keith E. Soriano, PGA Kyle M. McGee, PGA Daniel F Morgan
May 2 Gary W. Woodside, PGA David J. Nelson, PGA Tyler S. Enna, PGA May 3 Jeff E. Freebury, PGA Stephen J. Wallace, PGA May 4 Billy D. Ellison, PGA Kirk R. Mease, PGA Michael J. Petrisko, PGA Gregory N. Russ, PGA Dillon B. May, PGA Alexandra R. Braga, PGA May 5 Douglas C. Rikkers, PGA Gregory Frederick, PGA Kenneth R. Toms, PGA Brian M. Bonos, PGA May 6 Brian C. Lindstrom, PGA Steven C. David, PGA Keith C. Martin, PGA Robert J. Mueller, PGA Nathan S. Vincent, PGA Jesse G. Hansen, PGA May 7 Jason C. Murphy, PGA John E. Mescall, PGA May 8 Rudy K. Castaneda, PGA Erroll Miller, PGA Scott Sommers, PGA Thomas B. Noonan, PGA Thomas J. Cross, PGA May 9 Kyle Heyen, PGA John M. Karamigios, PGA Penn G. Saad, PGA
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May 10 Bill Bisdorf, PGA Edward Oldham, PGA John Vickers Zachary E Lenart Charles D Soule May 11 Mark T. Kelbel, PGA Kenneth S Krieger, PGA Ed L. Marzec II, PGA Daniel L. Augustine David T Fletcher
May 20 Ken R. Anderson, PGA Winston A. Howe Jr., PGA Andrew J. Gerlach, PGA May 21 Reese W. McCall, PGA Ryan J. Mahlstadt, PGA May 22 Donald S Campbell, PGA Michael J. Zaremba, PGA Beau S. Smith, PGA
May 12 Michael A. Knights, PGA Paul J. Surniak, PGA Ed Bodigheimer, PGA
May 23 Chad Hansen, PGA Nicholas R. Clearwater, PGA Jeffrey C. Carter, PGA
May 13 Brian V. DallaBetta, PGA Timothy A. Tafoya, PGA
May 24 David A. Dent, PGA Jason L. Witczak, PGA
May 14 Kirk Padgett, PGA Lucas J. Brosterhous, PGA
May 25 Visanu Tongwarin, PGA Mark A. Sturtz, PGA Jeff Wagner, PGA Michael F. Loosley, PGA Robert C Erickson
May 15 Douglas Rohrbaugh, PGA Anne Kelly, PGA Edward Nosewicz, PGA Steve Patterson, PGA Michael Thomsen, PGA Christopher S. Woods May 16 Tom Apple, PGA David A. Rawlings, PGA Derek W Eley
May 28 Kevin Vena, PGA Mickey Byrne, PGA Don Corey, PGA Matthew E. Bryant, PGA R.J. Wiegand, PGA
May 17 Nicholas C. Fiorini, PGA George S. Miller Jr., PGA
May 29 Dennis Murray, PGA Richard G Parker, PGA Nathan M Pippett, PGA David M. Thompson, PGA Jon D. Husby, PGA
May 18 James A Newton, PGA Eric C. Knotts, PGA
May 30 Corey L. Butler, PGA Max R Twarjan
May 19 John T. Wilcox, PGA Bill Winfield Arne C. Hansen, PGA Jim K. See II, PGA
May 31 Scott B. Rethlake, PGA Gary G. Hallberg, PGA Jonathan L. Dron, PGA
Certified PGA Professionals James L. Hajek, PGA
A-1 | Fossil Trace Golf Club | Certified Professional in General Management George C. Kahrhoff, PGA A-4 | The Golf Club at Ravenna | Certified Professional in General Management
New Members Stephen B. Crane, PGA A-8 | Hiwan Golf Club Kevin C. Montano, PGA
May Newsletter
Member Update
A-8 | Glenmoor Country Club William K. Parker, PGA A-8 | Columbine Country Club
Welcome Wagon Stacy R. Amann, PGA A-14 | Hart Ranch Golf Course | previously in the Southern Texas PGA Michael D. Johnson, PGA A-14 | Three Crowns Golf Club | previously in the Rocky Mountain Section Matthew B. Kloppenburg B-8 | The Club at Pradera | previously in the South Florida Section John P. LaCrosse, PGA A-1 | Beaver Creek Golf Club | previously in the Western New York Section Stuart L. Spyker, PGA A-1 | Catamount Ranch & Club | previously in the Michigan Section
Happy Trails to You... Matthew B. Henderson, PGA A-12 | formerly at Colorado State University | now at Topgolf - Las Vegas Eric D. Schmedeman, PGA A-24 | forerly at Topgolf - Centennial | now at JetSmarter, Inc. Charles M. Winn, PGA A-1 | formerly at Sonnenalp Golf Club | now at Cobleskill Golf & Country Club
New Apprentices Trevor Martinet B-8 | Ridge at Castle Pines North
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Quarter Century Feature
Quarter Century Club Feature
Each month a select few Colorado PGA Professionals are elected to the Quarter Century Club of the PGA of America. In this section we will highlight those PGA Professionals who have been members of the Association for 25 years to get to know them a little better.
Jeff Hanson, PGA Director of Golf Red Sky Golf Club Where did you grow up? I was born in Denver but grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Cheyenne Country Club. What was your first introduction to the game of golf? My grandfather, father, uncle, and brother were all avid golfers at the Cheyenne Country Club and therefore I became passionate about the game at age 7. Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional?
Jeff Hanson, PGA Director of Golf at Red Sky Golf Club hits his tee shot at the par-4 first hole during the first round of the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship in 2015.
Won many junior tournaments including the State High School Championship and two State Amateur titles and received a full ride to play at the University of Wyoming. After many on campus interviews, I decided to move back to Denver and called Myran Craig about becoming a PGA Professional in the area.
I became a member in 1991 and chose the career path as I was passionate about the game and loved to see people improve. The game also has introduced me to so many wonderful people and I have travelled to many unbelievable destinations. I get excited each season to provide a golf environment that all my members and guests will enjoy to the fullest. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? I am most proud about our relationship at Red Sky with the Vail Veterans program where each year we play with and teach 16-20 veterans the game over a two-day period and at the same time raise significant funds to support the program. What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity? I have been employed as an Assistant Professional at Columbine Country Club, Valley Country Club, and Cherry Hills Country Club and Head Professional
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positions at Glenmoor Country Club, Beaver Creek Golf Club and currently the Director of Golf at Red Sky Golf Club. What hobbies do you have outside of golf? I enjoy playing golf and skiing with my 3 kids Collin, Ryan, and Lindsay and wife Nancy. If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? My dream foursome was playing 36 holes at our grand opening with Greg Norman, John Elway, and Dan Marino.
Jeff Seltz, PGA Director of Golf Rolling Hills Country Club Where did you grow up?
of Golf in 2002 until today.
I grew up in Littleton and would go to Meadow Hills with my Dad as a kid and caddie for him and then practice chipping and putting while he was having lunch and settling bets. Later as a teenager after playing at Eagle Vail Golf Course I thought it would be great to be a golf pro in Vail, and ski in the winter and play golf in the summer. I guess at that age we don’t think we really would have to work?
What do you feel is the most meaningful contribution to the game of golf you have made?
What was your first introduction to the game of golf? I got in the golf business later in life age 27 after a career with Hilton Hotels and LePeep restaurants. I inquired about the golf business with Dick Hartman and Danny Harvanek and got lucky when Jim Johnson hired me without any golf experience.
My contribution is giving back to the community by using our club as a vehicle to raise monies to promote golf in Colorado. We as a club have raised significant funds for the Evans Scholarship program, Colorado PGA Junior Golf, many others and our club has raised over $1.2 million dollars for Jefferson County charities through our Foundation. We are one of only 5 clubs in the United States that has a charitable foundation that raises money for numerous charities in our community. Our membership is extremely generous and has incredible foresight to have this charitable arm for the community.
May Newsletter
Quarter Century Feature
What hobbies do you have outside of golf?
Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional?
On a personal note, I love to travel with my wife, and golf travel with our members and friends. I hike now after running in 4 marathons in my early 40’s but found out that it was not that great for my body.
Over the years I have realized that hospitality industry that I learned at The University of Denver translates to the golf industry very easily. Selling tee times is the same as a hotel room and a great meal. Just I loved watching my two take care of the customer and daughters grow up to become PGA Professional Jeff Seltz was awarded the 2007 FCA build long lasting relationships wonderful young women, and Golf Professional of the Year here in Colorado. and they will keep coming back hope to travel more with them where they are comfortable and appreciated. and their extended new families in the future. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional?
If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why?
I am most proud of those relationships, but most importantly is the juniors I work with that have gone on to become college players and good business leaders and have had families that all come back to golf.
My dream foursome is easy for me. Nobody famous, but I would love to have dinner with Jack Nicklaus someday. I have two lifelong friends from grade school Todd Robinson and Gene Cahill, and we would gladly add anyone to our threesome as long as they are willing to laugh and have a good time during that 4 hours.
What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity? I have spent my entire 29 years at Rolling Hills and hope to retire here eventually. I was an assistant from 1987 to 1992 then became HP from 1992-2002 before Jim Johnson retired and then took over as the Director
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Quarter Century Feature
John Hanrahan, PGA PGA Life Member
In October 2015, John retired from the Fort Collins Country Club. He is now a Broker/Partner with The Group Real Estate, Inc in Fort Collins, CO. Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional? Over the years of being an educator and golf professional, John learned that he loved working one-on-one with people. He learned to address clients’ needs and goals and refined his own business savvy at the same time. He also started a club repair and building business in Fort Collins. John built his career and business with dedication and commitment to every client relationship. Like teaching, John enjoys the challenge of helping clients reach their own goals using all the tools available to enhance their experience. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? John was honored in 2003 at the PGA Merchandiser of the Year for a Private Facility from the Colorado Section. In 2011 he was honored as Fitter of the Year for Callaway Golf for the western part of the U.S. and in 2013 as a Top 100 Fitter in the Nation by Mizuno. What do you feel is the most meaningful contribution to the game of golf you have made?
Where did you grow up? John’s passion for golf started at the young age of 10 years old, when he served as a caddie at the Omaha Country Club carrying a golf bag twice his size and weight. He fed his passion working or playing on a golf course. He played golf throughout his high school years that earned him a scholarship at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity? Before joining Fort Collins Country Club in 1993, John spent time at Sunnyside Country Club, Omaha Country Club and the John Jacobs Golf School in Arizona. Little did he know that his love for the game would lead him to becoming a PGA of American Class A Member, Director of Golf at the Fort Collins Country Club and the founder of his own golf school, where he was able to pass his passion for golf on to others. John was only
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the third head professional in the entire 50 year history of the Fort Collins Country Club.
One of my most meaningful contributions to golf was when I started the Junior Caddie Program at the Fort Collins Country Club. This was executed in conjunction with the Spike Baker Chapter of the Colorado Golf Association. What hobbies do you have outside of golf? Spare time isn’t something that someone in the golf industry has a lot of. In my spare time I’ve made my family a priority. My wife and I enjoy travelling and gardening. I’m an avid bird hunter and enjoy fly fishing. If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? My dream foursome is simple. Three other guys who just want to relax, play 36 holes, have a beer or two, gamble & enjoy a cigar overlooking the view from any of the great golf courses I have played. And the dream continues when we move on to the next course and repeat the process.
May Newsletter
Scorecard Economics 101
F
irst off, let’s talk about economies of scale. The more cards you order, the cheaper the per-card cost will be. For example, while the total cost of 40,000 cards is more than 5,000 cards, the cost per individual card is way better on the 40,000 order than on the 5,000 order. Check out our table of expenses to see why. That table may look scary, but it’s actually pretty easy to understand. As you can see, the cost per card is the same one and a half cents no matter what quantity you order. The more cards you order, the higher that number will be. Here’s the trick – see that fixed cost number? That’s what it costs to set up the press, cut out the cards, clean up after printing, etc. That number doesn’t change, you could order 100,000 cards and your fixed costs would be the same as ordering 5,000. Fixed costs are what turn this equation around and make it better to order larger quantities. These are just made-up numbers, but you can see even though you’re spending more on paper and ink on the larger order, you’re actually saving money because that fixed printing cost is the same. While 40,000 cards may cost more in total, you’re getting more bang for your buck than the
20,000 order or the 5,000 order. Because you get a better price per card by ordering more, many people want to order two or even three years’ worth of cards at once. We always recommend ordering just one year’s supply of cards though, because as soon as that three-year supply of cards shows up you’ll learn you’re going to be re-rated next spring and still have 40,000 scorecards left, or a freak rainstorm floods number 14 and you have to turn it from a par 5 into a par 3. So how many cards is a year’s supply of cards? A good way to get an estimate of annual usage is to take two thirds of the total number of rounds at your facility in a year. For example, if your course does 30,000 rounds per year, you’ll probably want to order about 20,000 cards. Also remember to watch your scorecard inventory carefully, and always place your next order before opening your last box. You need to allow enough time for changes, printing and delivery – check with your printer to see how much time is needed to turn around an order. It’s no fun to run out of cards, and expensive too.
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine 22
West Chapter News West Chapter Tournament Schedule April 28, 2016 WC - Spring Business Meeting and Pro-Pro presented by Colorado Golf and Turf Bookcliff Country Club | Grand Junction, CO April 29, 2016 WC - Bookcliff CC Pro-Am Bookcliff Country Club | Grand Junction, CO May 20, 2016 WC - Pro-Pro Championship presented by Masek Golf Cars of Colorado Ironbridge Golf Club | Glenwood Springs, CO June 16-19, 2016 Navajo Trail Open Hillcrest Golf Course | Durango, CO July 7-10, 2016 Tyrrell-Doyle Wyoming State Open Airport Golf Course | Cheyenne, WY August 8, 2016 WC - Stroke Play Championship Eagle Ranch Golf Course | Eagle, CO August 18-21, 2016 Enstrom’s Rocky Mountain Open Tiara Rado Golf Course | Grand Junction, CO August 29, 2016 WC - Aspen Glen GC Pro-Am Aspen Glen Club | Carbondale, CO September 26-27, 2016 West Chapter Championship and Meeting presented by Greg Norman - Dunning, Colorado Golf and Turf and the PGA Tour Aspen Glen Club | Carbondale, CO
Judy Alvarez Featured at PGA HOPE Training T
he Colorado PGA was pleased to welcome PGA National Trainer and PGA/LPGA Master Professional, Judy Alvarez to Denver this past month to train PGA Professionals on the finer points of adaptive golf instruction. In support of the PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program, Colorado PGA REACH invited Judy to share her lifetime of experience and passion for teaching golfers with disabilities. The session, hosted at GolfTEC Headquarters and Family Sports, featured a morning of classroom instruction that provided PGA Professionals guidance on understanding limitations, terminology, equipment, and principles for teaching adaptive
May Newsletter
Player Development News
The 15 PGA Professionals and Apprentices in attendance were joined by Wounded Warrior Veterans from the Semper Fi Foundation.
golf. Breaking down barriers of discomfort, fear of the unknown and embarrassment were shown to be key to engaging with the adaptive golf community. The 15 PGA Professionals and Apprentices in attendance were joined by Wounded Warrior Veterans from the Semper Fi Fund who provided unique insight into teaching and learning golf in the physically and mentally challenged world. The afternoon session took place at Family Sports Center, and the students got hands on experience on both sides of the lesson tee, as instructors and students. Judy set up several live teaching stations where students played the role of sight impaired, amputee, hearing impaired, and mobility impaired students as the instructors attempted to adjust their teaching styles to best help the students enjoy the game. Look for more opportunities to learn as the Section will be taking the lessons learned and offering adaptive golf teaching clinics in the future to help you expand your teaching repertoire. For more information on PGA HOPE and adaptive golf training, contact Keith Soriano, PGA at ksoriano@ pgahq.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine 24
Junior News
Fall Golf in Schools Application Period Closes May 15, 2016 I
Keith Soriano, PGA Assistant Executive Director - Foundation Programs Colorado PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com P | (303) 996-1590 C | (720) 841-1006
n the 7 years of the Colorado PGA Golf in Schools (GIS) program we have seen exponential growth and demand for consumer-driven programs like this. Our numbers are staggering for the Spring Semester – over 7,500 students from 42 different schools will be impacted by a PGA Professional. Without question, the GIS program has quickly become an essential tool in introducing kids to the game of golf as well as a great stepping stone for your junior programs during the summer. The Colorado PGA is now accepting program requests for the fall semester. PGA Professionals and Educators are welcome to submit a program request form. We will be accepting requests through May 15, 2016. Forms submitted after this date may not be considered, so get yours in soon! Requests do not guarantee funding; those programs that are approved will be notified and further details will be required. Click here to access the program request form. A huge thank you to those who have made GIS a huge success thus far. We anticipate another great year for this program as we continue to positively impact the lives of others through the game of golf.
T
he 2016 and 2017 PGA Junior League Golf Championships will be held at picturesque Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year’s Championship will be played Nov. 19-21, on the Raptor course. Eight PGA Junior League Golf Teams that advance out of the Regional Championships in September and October will contend for the title. The 10-player teams, matching East vs. West regions, will compete in a two-person-scramble format, with coaches allowed to substitute players every three holes, so that all team members can participate.
May Newsletter
‘16 and ‘17 PGA JLG Championships to be Conducted at Arizona’s Grayhawk Golf Club
A key initiative of PGA REACH, the PGA of Grayhawk Golf Club - #8 Green Complex, Raptor Course America’s charitable arm, PGA Junior League Scottsdale, Arizona Golf is a fun, social and inclusive opportunity for wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on to the boys and girls ages 13 and under to learn and enjoy next generation of golfers. Grayhawk has a long history the game. Kids play on teams with friends and wear of hosting competitive tournaments at the highest numbered jerseys, learning golf with professional level of play. When they compete here in November, instruction and direction from PGA and LPGA Teaching we look forward to providing each team with the same Professionals. prestigious experience that the world’s best receive.” “The PGA of America is delighted to bring the PGA In PGA Junior League Golf, kids play regular-season Junior League Golf Championship to the beautiful games from April to July. They then assemble into Southwest and Grayhawk Golf Club,” said PGA 10-player, all-star teams that compete in sub-regionals President Derek Sprague. “This is yet another example for a chance to earn a spot at one of eight regionals. In of how PGA Junior League Golf is furthering its mission 2015, Team California captured the Championship in a to connect kids with the game in a fun and recreational scintillating playoff over Team Georgia. environment.” Grayhawk has been the site of the PGA Tour’s Frys. com Open, Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf, Williams World Challenge (which benefited the Tiger Woods Foundation) and the Thunderbird International Junior. The Tom Fazio-designed Raptor course at Grayhawk offers a thrilling challenge that commands a player’s respect through a game of risk and reward. The par-72 course unfolds over the gentle hills and across shaded natural washes typical of this corner of the beautiful Sonoran Desert. Last Fall, Fazio collaborated with Dennis Wise on a redesign and relocation of Hole Nos. 15, 16 and 17.
Superstars Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Michelle Wie and Lexi Thompson serve as Official PGA Junior League Ambassadors. PGA Junior League Golf is one of the game’s fastest growing programs, with teams in all 41 PGA Sections and 48 states. Last year, 30,000 boys and girls participated on 2,500 teams nationwide. Over the last two years, PGA Junior League Golf participation has grown by 233 percent. To search and find a team near you, please visit PGAJLG.com/register
“We’re honored to host the 2016 PGA Junior League Golf Championship,” said Grayhawk Golf Club PGA Director of Golf Joe Shershenovich. “Growing the game of golf is a goal that we all share, and this program accomplishes that objective under the enthusiastic guidance of PGA Professionals with a
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
DRIVE CHIP PUTT Junior News
What is it?
Drive, Chip & Putt is a free, nationwide junior golf program for boys and girls ages 7-15 that focuses on the three fundamental skills of the game — DRIVING, CHIPPING and PUTTING.
How does it work?
Drive, Chip & Putt is conducted in four stages:
LOCAL QUALIFYING — 256 sites in 50 states and Puerto Rico • SUBREGIONAL QUALIFYING — 50 sites in 31 states REGIONAL QUALIFYING — 10 sites, featuring many PGA and USGA championship venues
NATIONAL FINALS — 80 junior golfers competing at Augusta National Golf Club the Sunday before the Masters Tournament and broadcast live on Golf Channel
How do we get started?
A parent or guardian should register each child for one local competition at DriveChipandPutt.com. Have fun learning and practicing golf skills. Tell your friends to join.
WHEN YOU TEACH YOUR KIDS TO LOVE GOLF, THEY WIN FOR A LIFETIME. LEARN MORE AT DRIVECHIPANDPUTT.COM
@DriveChipPutt
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DriveChipandPutt
DriveChipandPutt
IT’S PLAYTIME
Use Drive, Chip & Putt to Your Advantage I
n support of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, the Colorado PGA will host 6 regional qualifiers and one sub-regional qualifier this year. These are outstanding opportunities for junior golfers to develop their skills or to test the skills that they have spent hours honing at your facility. But, with only 6 qualifiers, how can you leverage the Drive Chip and Putt Championship even if you’re not hosting a qualifier this year? The answer is not only simple, but a plan has been developed for you to implement. We are happy to introduce the Drive Chip and Putt Instruction Playbook. This program, first developed right here in the Colorado Section, has been introduced nationally and has been refined into the playbook you now have access to. This program allows you to develop, promote, and leverage a Drive Chip and Putt prep program that will help you provide structure and goal setting within your junior golf program. By utilizing the program contained within, you will help your junior golfers prepare for the DCP competition through fun, interactive, and engaging learning opportunities that are wrapped around the core skill set of the game of golf. Your entire junior program could very well be
developed around and focused on this program.
This program is proof that you need not host a DCP qualifier to leverage the exposure that Augusta National, the PGA of America and the USGA provide through the Drive Chip and Putt Championship. To schedule a meeting to see how you can leverage the DCP Championship, contact Keith Soriano, PGA at ksoriano@pgahq.com
May Newsletter
Junior News
Encourage Your Juniors to Register for Drive, Chip and Putt R
egistration for the 2017 Drive Chip and Putt is now OPEN! Boys and girls ages 7-15 are now able to sign up for one of our six local qualifiers at drivechipandputt.com. This FREE youth golf initiative aims to help younger generations begin their lifelong connection with golf by providing a fun, interactive platform for participants of all ages and skill levels. The top 80 performers - 40 boys and 40 girls - across the country will earn an invitation to the National Finals at Augusta National on Sunday April 2, the eve of the 2017 Masters. This is an event you don’t want to miss! There is a limited number of spots available at each of these qualifiers, so get registered TODAY at www.drivechipandputt.com. Local Qualifiers Heritage at Westmoor | Westminster, CO Monday, July 11, 2016 Colorado National Golf Club | Erie, CO Monday, June 6, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 6, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Entry Deadline - June 1, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Lincoln Park Golf Course | Grand Junction, CO Fort Collins Country Club | Fort Collins, CO Thursday, July 21, 2016 Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 16, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Entry Deadline - June 10, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Sub Regional Qualifier The Club at Flying Horse | Colorado Springs, CO CommonGround Golf Course Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Aurora, CO Entry Deadline - June 16, 2016 at 3:00pm MST Saturday, August 13, 2016 Murphy Creek Golf Course | Aurora, CO Thursday, July 7, 2016 Entry Deadline - July 2, 2016 at 3:00pm MST
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Morton Wins Columbine CC Stroke Play presented by the PGA Tour T
ravis Morton, PGA Head Professional at the Pinery Country Club posted his first ever individual Colorado PGA tournament victory at the Columbine Country Club Stroke Play event on Monday, April 4, 2016. Morton, who has posted a number of victories in which he tied for the win, fired an even-par 72 to post a victory in the first event of the 2016 calendar year. Coming in second place on the day was Blake Sharamitaro, PGA Assistant Professional at Lake Arbor Golf Course who finished one stroke back at one-over par 73.
In the 50 for 50 Senior Division, Dale Smigelsky, the reigning OMEGA Colorado PGA Senior Player of the Year, fired a two-over-par 74 to post the victory. Coming in second place was Jeff Hanson, PGA Director of Golf at Red Sky Golf Club who posted a five-over-par 77. The event also had an optional team event. Dan Sniffin, PGA Director of Instruction at Omni Interlocken Golf Club and Scott Ough, PGA Director of Instruction at GolfTEC-Boulder teamed together to post a five-under-par 67 in the Fourball Stroke Play event. They finished one stroke ahead of a large group that posted four-under-par 68.
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R
egistration is ongoing for the 2016 Match Play Championships. These season-long events are can’t miss tournaments. Check out the details on each event below: Match Play Championship presented by Masek Golf Cars of Colorado Entry Fee | $180 Format | Individual Match Play. The event will utilize the Pool Play that was enacted in 2015 will be in place again in 2016.
Senior Match Play Championship Entry Fee | $130 Format | Individual Match Play
Four-Ball Match Play Championship Entry Fee | $360 per team Format | Individual Match Play Assistants Match Play Championship Entry Fee | $85 per individual Format | Individual Match Play
May Newsletter
Registration Extended for Match Play Championships
Krieger Wins Todd Creek GC T
he saying goes that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Sometimes though, they don’t need new tricks! That was never more evident than at the Todd Creek Golf Club stroke play event when Ken Krieger, PGA Head Professional at Cheyenne Country Club and a three-time Colorado PGA Professional Champion posted a six-under-par 66 and took home the title. Krieger, who also won the 1996 and 1997 Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year title, bested Caine Fitzgerald of Meadow Hills Golf Course by one stroke in the third event of the year. The event included a two-man Blind Draw team event which was won by Fitzgerald and Tom Krause, PGA Instructor at Jake’s Academy. The duo fired an eight-under-par 64 to post a one stroke victory over
two other teams. They bested the teams of Sherry Andonian, PGA Instructor at Valley Country Club and Tray Shehee, PGA Director of Instruction at Ute Creek Golf Course and Andy Clavin, PGA Sales Rep with Linksoul and Doug Wherry, PGA Director of Instruction at Jake’s Academy.
Fitzgerald Notches Win at Valley Country Club Pro Am C
aine Fitzgerald, the 2013 Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year posted his first victory of the calendar year when he fired a four-under-par 68 at the Valley Country Club Pro Am on Monday, April 11, 2016. Fitzgerald, a PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course bested Colorado Golf Club Head Professional Graham Cliff by one stroke as Cliff posted a three-under-par 69. In the team competition, two teams tied for first in the Birdie Bash format (1 point for any birdie, 2 for an eagle, 3 for a double eagle). Host PGA Professional Barry Milstead partnered with Richard Graham, Geoff
Race and Steve Davis to accumulate 20 points while Scott Walter, PGA Sales Rep with Straight Down Clothing Company partnered with Cody Walter, Nick Perry and Jerrod Stiver to match them.
In the 50 for 50 Senior Division, Ken Krieger, PGA Head Professional at Cheyenne Country Club posted a two-under-par 70 to post the victory. He beat out Rick Cole, PGA Head Professional at Eaton Country Club who posted a three-over-par 75.
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Vegas Am Las VegasPro Pro Am Ad Back and Better Than Ever!
2016 Colorado PGA Las Vegas Pro Am November 14-16, 2016 - Paiute Golf Resort
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New for 2016 Teams of 5 (4 Amateurs and 1 Pro) 56 team maximum playing on two courses each day! More prizes, more fun, more Vegas! Team entry - $3,900 ($975 per Amateur, $0 per Pro!)
As of May 5, 2016 Dow Finsterwald Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 Blake Sharamitaro Lake Arbor Golf Club 1,504 2 Caine Fitzgerald Meadow Hills Golf Course 1,471.50 3 Geoff Keffer Aurora Hills Golf Course 1,469 4 Ken Krieger Cheyenne Country Club 1,351.83 5 Travis Morton The Pinery Country Club 1,250.50 6 Kyle Voska The Links Golf Course 1,122.50 7 Mike Northern Life Member 907.50 8 Sherry Andonian Valley Country Club 832.33 9 Rick Cole Eaton Country Club 788 10 Barry Milstead Valley Country Club 766.83
May Newsletter
Player of the Year
Click here to see the full list
Senior Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 Ken Krieger Cheyenne Country Club 1,351.83 2 Mike Northern Life Member 907.50 3 Sherry Andonian Valley Country Club 832.33 4 Rick Cole Eaton Country Club 788 5 Dale Smigelsky Collindale Golf Course 732.50 6 Doug Rohrbaugh Ironbridge Golf Club 684 7 Kevin Bolles Boulder Country Club 623 8 Doug Perry City Park Nine Golf Course 535.50 9 Paul Lobato Meridian Golf Club 475 10 Tom Krause Jake’s Academy 466.50 Click here to see the full list
Colorado PGA Apprentice Player of the Year 1 Daniel Augustine Colorado Golf Club 706 2 Kyler Booher River Valley Ranch Golf Club 635.5 3 Christopher Hyten Sanctuary 269 4 Jeramy Curry The Links Golf Course 154.50 5 Lanny Cameron The Olde Course at Loveland 127 6 Rich Lash GolfTEC - Denver Tech Center 124.50 7 Tim Richardson Todd Creek Golf Club 118 8 Gerard Lanser The Links at Cobble Creek 100 9 Tyler Winslow Lake Valley Golf Club 94.50 10 Garrett Froggatte The Flying Horse Club 58 Click here to see the full list
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
@The Buzz
A monthly recap of the Colorado PGA Live on the @GolfChannel from @FossilTrace with @HankHaney @bcrowellpro @TrentWearner #InstructionDay Get to know the @ ColoradoPGA through the people & places they enrich through the game of golf
Last day at the @ We’re up early pgaofamerica Super to cheer on Regional in LA. Hearing #TeamColorado in the from the 3 candidates #DCPFinals ! Let’s for PGA Secretary. Great go Luke, Caitlyn, & stuff! Arielle! @DriveChipPutt
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Excited to be hosting @TrentWearner @ HankHaney and others at @FossilTrace as part of National Instruction Day, May 4, 2016!
Colorado PGA Judy Alvarez Golf Academy holding court and teaching CPGA Professionals how to teach golf to those with physical challenges and limitations for PGA of America’s PGA HOPE Veterans program.
May Newsletter
A Twitter and Facebook World
Colorado PGA
Colorado PGA
Sam, thank you for saying what so many in the Colorado PGA are feeling this week!
Behind the scenes at Fossil Trace Golf Club for National Instruction Day! Check it out starting at 5p on Golf Channel.
Colorado PGA By The Numbers Colorado PGA Facebook Fans | 734 Twitter Followers | 691 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Facebook Fans | 375 Twitter Followers | 273
Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course posted an impressive four-under 68 during the first round of the Valley Country Club Pro Am. Can anyone in the afternoon start catch him?!
Colorado PGA
Congratulations to Travis Morton, PGA Head Professional at The Pinery Country Club for posting a season-opening victory today in the Stroke Play Series supported by the PGA Tour at Columbine Country Club. Morton fired an even-par 72 to post a one stroke victory.
www.coloradopga.com
33
Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
Presidents Club | $20,000 and above C&M Golf and Grounds Equipment Jeff Mathis Brett Walton
Colorado Chevy Dealers
National Car Rental
PGA Tour
Platinum | $10,000 OMEGA
Platinum | $7,500 Colorado AvidGolfer Allen Walters
Gold | $5,000
Denver Golf Expo Mark Cramer
KBS Shafts
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Colorado Golf and Turf Tom Bauerle
Imperial Headwear Jamie Zabolio
Fairway Promotions James Schlatter, Nick Porter
Infinium Spirits Mike Horan
Greg Norman - Dunning Mike Giarratano
Masek Golf Cars Jason Masek
Adidas/Ashworth Mike Bryant
GolfTEC Joe Assell, PGA
PTE Golf Matt Pollitt
AHEAD Zach Ledvina
Golf MD’s Alex Weber
Sun Mountain Kevin Neff
Club Prophet Systems Tom Robshaw
GPS Industries Kevin Carpenter
May Newsletter
Silver | $2,500
TaylorMade Golf Mike Mendoza
Bronze | $1,000
www.coloradopga.com
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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine
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