Special Awards Feature
An Award to Cherish - Cole Accepts the Warren Smith Award The Warren Smith Award is presented to a PGA Professional for special contributions to the game of golf, the Colorado Section, junior golf, and their facility. The 2021 Warren Smith Award recipient is Life Member, Rick Cole, PGA. Cole was born in Denver, and at age one, his family moved to Nebraska for nine years. When he was 10, they returned to Colorado and lived in Littleton next to a 9-hole par-3 golf course. At age 11, he began working at that very course, Southglenn Country Club. When he was 17, he became the Club’s Superintendent. His mentor, at the time, was Lou Haines, superintendent of Denver Country Club. Upon receiving a golf scholarship, Cole attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. He continued to work at Southglenn CC during the summer months and after graduation (1976), he married and accepted an assistant professional position at Balboa Park Golf Course in San Diego. Two Christmases later, Cole and his wife, Jan, traveled to Colorado to visit family and decided to look for jobs, to relocate to Cole’s home state. Jan found work immediately and after Rick found a position at Columbine Country Club, they moved and have been in Colorado ever since. In between his jobs, until he began with Eaton Country Club (1985), Cole went to seven Qualifying schools. Realizing he didn’t have the ability to play with the best in the world, but having a love of the game, he decided to become a PGA Professional. At Eaton CC, Cole was known as a “Golfing Machine” instructor, giving over 9,000 lessons! A great number of his students have gone on to become outstanding instructors in the PGA, some attaining “Top 50” status. He also established a tradition of taking organized golf trips with members and other golfers in the community.
22 SEPTEMBER 2021
Rick Cole, PGA, and his wife, Jan, married in 1976.
Through the years, he traveled with over 1,000 golfers and believes this added to the camaraderie and closeness of the community. Cole recently retired in November of 2020 after 35 years at Eaton CC. He is currently enjoying retirement with his wife of 45 years and is still giving lessons part-time. What does it mean to you to receive the Warren Smith Award? It is very, very honoring - one that I will always cherish, for sure! I was very fortunate to know Mr. Smith. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, I worked at Columbine Country Club as an assistant golf professional for my mentor and employer, Tony Novitsky, PGA.
The SUMMIT
