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PERFECTION TO A TEE.

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Player’s Corner State of Play

style with the opening holes taking you far out, and the back nine returning to the clubhouse. So fans walking out to holes No. 7,8 or 9 can have a full hike ahead of them.

More than 500 volunteers make the tournament happen, and the event has proven a successful part of the Tour. It was voted Tournament of the Year in 2021, and the two main sponsors – Cyprus Ascendant Services is the title sponsor and Blue Federal Credit Union is the presenting sponsor – have agreed to back it through at least 2026.

Thus the tournament’s name: The Ascendant presented by Blue.

“We didn’t want to have the longest name ever on Tour,” Blass said.

The volunteer army and community support have been key at keeping the event an important destination for the Korn Ferry Tournament. Volunteers help with transportation, walking scorers, marshalls, and some put up players or caddies in their houses.

“We are always ranked easily on the top 3 on the tour,” Blass said.

Players expected to be in the 156-player field include several in the Top 10 of the Tour’s points rankings including No. 1 Ben Kohles, as well Air Force Academy graduate Tom Whitney, who is ranked No. 14.

Last year’s winner, Zecheng Dou of China, has made 11 cuts on the PGA Tour this year, with his best finish a T-5 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.

Tickets: One day tickets start at $25 and children 15 and under and members of the military and military retirees with valid ID are free. TheAscendant.com/tickets

Getting there: TPC Colorado is 2375 TPC Parkway in Berthoud, off U.S. 287, northwest of Denver.

Schedule: Junior Golf Clinic on July 10; Pro-Am July 12; tournament play July13 to 16. Gates open 6:30 a.m. on tournament days.

Purse: $1 million; $180,000 for the winner

From chili dogs and Snickers to sips from the “birdie juice” flask, leisure golfers eat and drink things before, during and after a round that are the stuff of clubhouse legends.

In the name of fun, “nutrition” and “performance” are not necessarily the factors determining the players’ menu choices.

However, competitive amateurs and all professional golfers understand a simple truth: You play like you eat, especially over the course of 18 or 36 holes on a hot summer day.

Jim Knous, who lives in Lakewood and plays professionally on the Korn Ferry Tour, takes his onthe-course snacking very seriously.

“My friends make fun of me because I snack a lot from my bag, usually every two or three holes.

I’ll have a banana, cashews or almonds, or a half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,” Knous says, calling from a practice round at Bear Creek Golf Club.

“There was this one time when I had a big Chipotle burrito stuffed it in my bag and started chomping on that halfway through the round,” he says.

A Basalt native who played collegiate golf at the Colorado School of Mines, Knous has been playing professional golf since 2012, earning his PGA Tour card in 2018.

“My thing has always been that whenever I feel hungry on the course, it’s too late. It will take two or three holes to not feel hungry and your body’s not functioning at peak capacity,” Knous says.

By John Lehndorff

Eighteen-year-old Morgan Miller admits that she didn’t pay much attention to what she ateand especially when - before joining the University of Colorado women’s golf team.

“I used to crash and burn going into the few last holes. Now, I have energy left after 36 holes,” says Miller. A sophomore in the fall, Miller called from hot, humid Houston where she was trying to stay hydrated while competing in a tournament.

“I’ve been golfing since I was 6 but my diet changed a lot when I got CU. We have our nutritionist who helps us plan our diet with us,” she says.

“Now, I eat a couple almonds every two holes, give or take, and then maybe a peanut butter cracker every five holes,” Miller says.

RULE NO. 1: NEVER PLAY HUNGRY OR THIRSTY

Nutritionist Siobhan Donofrio is the founder of Be Fit Nutrit, the official nutrition consultant for the LPGA since 2019. She works with professional players at every level.

“One of the biggest problems players have is they forget to eat on the course. After the ninth hole, they say: ‘I’m so hungry. I can’t focus. My game is off.’ At that point they are already on the downslope,” Donofrio says.

When it comes to golf tournaments, breakfast is indeed the most important meal of the day.

“You want to make sure that you’re not going out on the course already hungry. Have a basic breakfast, a couple of eggs, a piece of toast, a piece of fruit, or some oatmeal, or fruit and Greek yogurt,” she says.

Knous approaches breakfast carefully on tournament days. “I like to eat some some form of protein like eggs or yogurt. If eat a big break- fast with a bunch of pancakes I feel sluggish out there. A good healthy medium is where I want to play,” he says.

Morgan Miller is also a breakfast believer.

“Before the match I like to get some meat in me so bacon is a great choice with maybe a bagel. The more you eat for breakfast the better off you are playing the rest of the day,” Miller says.

Packing The Right Snacks To Last

Maintaining energy and focus through 18 holes means strategically planning the snacks you pack in the golf bag.

“I always bring a little packet of trail mix and fruit. I need to get fats from nuts like almonds, rice cakes with peanut butter. I just try to stay consistent,” Miller says.

Donofrio recommends keeping track of what you eat and how it affects your game. “Try to eat a little bit throughout the round or your practice so your energy and focus don’t go up and down while you’re playing. Some players like to eat every three holes,” she says.

The Holy Grail for golfers and nutritionists appears to be a snack with the perfect balance of protein, calories and carbs. It is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“Peanut butter sandwiches are very popular among the professional players. It’s an easy thing to stick in your golf bag that won’t go bad on a hot day,” Donofrio says.

SKIP THE SUGARY, CAFFEINATED SPORTS DRINKS

The right beverage is also important but if you wait to start sipping water until you’re thirsty, you’re in trouble.

“Make sure you’re hydrated before you even start a round of golf or practice. If you start out dehydrated, it’s really hard to kind of catch up,” Donofrio says.

“Most people just need water, unless it’s super hot. You can add some kind of electrolyte drink to your water, but as long as you’re eating snacks like pretzels or fruit with the water, you’re getting natural electrolytes,” she says.

The problem with water, as far as Morgan Miller is concerned, is that it gets, well, boring.

“Water is the best choice, but water gets old eventually, especially during those 36-hole tournament days. That’s why I lean towards Biosteel, an energy drink with no caffeine or sugar. It’s one of the best tasting sports drinks out there,” she says.

THE

Gatorade And The Double Bogey

While today’s golfers generally take a sensible approach to food, the choices aren’t always just about nutrition.

“I do have some superstitions. If I open a new water bottle, and I do well on a hole, I have to save that water bottle over the next few holes. If I eat a banana the first day and play well, I’ll eat a banana the second day. I’m going to keep it going as long as it works,” Miller says.

“In the Pac 12 tournament, I opened a new Gatorade, and I bogeyed or double bogeyed a hole. I was like ‘we’re throwing this thing away now.’”

The focus on nutrition and energy doesn’t end when the day’s play is finished.

“After you put out all that effort, you need to replenish all that energy you’ve exerted,” Donofrio says.

“I’m usually pretty darn hungry after a tournament,” Knous says.

“Back in the day, I used to be able to eat just about whatever I wanted. I’m 33. Nowadays, I try to eat as healthy as possible. I do like a slab of meat - a steak or grilled chicken and mashed potatoes and something green like broccoli,” he says.

Miller’s post-match dining choices are in a similar vein.

“I’m not a picky eater. I like a good old steak - a filet mignon - or a good pasta dish. I’m also going to do some French fries, here and there,” she says.

One lucky lady will be taking home these gorgeous white diamonds and black south sea Tahitian pearl earrings ($3,000 value) from Trice Jewelers as the winner of the Wheels of Dreams Champagne Diamond Giveaway.

You don’t want to miss this unforgettable evening benefiting local children’s charity Bags of Fun. Wheels of Dreams is a charity fundraiser that raises awareness and financial support to help provide Bags of Fun to kids fighting long-term and life-threatening illnesses.

The Evening at a Glance

You’ll be valeted to the Vehicle Vault: stroll through a highly curated private collection of vintage and exotic automobiles valued over $20 million, mix and mingle amongst exquisitely decorated lounges from Howard Lorton Furniture and Design, Colorado Style Home Furnishings and more, be entertained by a professional aerialist, food stations with live chefs from INTUEAT, enjoy open bars throughout and an unplugged, intimate performance by Sean Kelly of The Samples, artist presentations with Colorado Artist – James Holmes, state-of-the-art golf simulator from Optimum Golf and today’s hottest luxury cars and more!

Toast the Night

Guests will enjoy amazing cocktails and the mouth-watering tastes and sophisticated flavor of decadence at seven culinary action stations! From sushi to tomahawk steaks and fresh Colorado produce sizzling away on Mountain High Appliance’s luxury grill to the creative recipes of Pint’s Peak Ice Cream and The Donut, while the Personal Chefs from INTUEAT will deliver a Culinary Experience worth remembering! Fresh-shucked oysters from Blue Island Oyster Bar and Seafood, Charcuterie with Ornery Olive, and the infamous Colorado Mountain Crust of Beau Jo’s Pizza round out an evening of food and fun that won’t soon be forgotten!

An Evening to Help

For more than 19 years, Bags of Fun has brought joy, laughter and relief to children fighting a life-threatening disease or condition. The organization creates “Bags of Fun” that are carefully crafted for each child taking into consideration the best means to reduce their tension, anxiety and fatigue during their treatments. We believe in the rehabilitative power of play for all children fighting for their health and happiness.

For information and tickets, SCAN HERE:

Please contact Bags of Fun at 720.476.3022 with any inquiries.