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BEYOND BANDON
It turns out there is a lot more to Oregon golf than just Bandon Dunes. By Tony Dear PG. 36
FEATURES
A dunes revolution// 32
David McLay Kidd, one of the pre-eminent dunes golf course designers, says Colorado is in for something special with the upcoming Rodeo Dunes project. By David Young/Cover Photo: by ForeGolf
golf moms // 42
For many Colorado golf pros, teachers, players and champions – the game would not exist without their mothers. By Jim Bebbington
project: pinery// 50
The Pinery unveils its new clubhouse renovation. By Jim Bebbington
SWIPE RIGHT?//
52
More manufacturers than ever are shipping clubs straight to the player. Is the rise of online golf club fitting right for you? By Ted Johnson
drivers seat// 56
A Parker man shows the path to long-drive success starts in the weight room. By Sam Adams
SIDE BETS
22// Fareways
A movement is growing to remind golfers that golf and alcohol do not necessarily need to mix. Some of the best non-alcoholic drinks out there. By John Lehndorff
PG. 28
NICE DRIVES
The Ram 1500 RHO makes you king of the road. By Isaac Bouchard
DEPARTMENTS
8// FORETHOUGHTS
If Mom didn’t drive me off a cliff in a golf cart, would I have stayed with the game? By Jim Bebbington
12// THE CGA
People of the CGA – Lilly Dye Harmon, a member of golf architecture royalty. By Kayla Kerns
14// THE GALLERY
Gavin Amella, part of the new wave of junior golfing excellence; Some golf course owners are increasing efforts to preserve water; The U.S. Senior Open is just two months away; The Inspirato Colorado Open is heading into this summer’s series with new prize amounts
64// blindshot
Does customer loyalty even matter in golf? With courses already crowded this summer, the golf industry remains in the midst of a surge in popularity. By Jim Bebbington
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FORETHOUGHTS
HUG YOUR MOTHER
My mother once drove us off a cliff in a golf cart.
I don’t think she meant to do it. These things happen.
We had to scramble back up the hillside while a crew from the Cape Cod course we were playing tried to figure out how to tow the cart back up. The 1970s were a wild time for all of us.
There was no blood, and we teed off on the next hole without incident. I owe a debt to my mother, Jean Haesler Bebbington of Montclair, N.J., for helping connect me to the game of golf. Wayward driving aside, I simply would not have had the opportunity to play the game as much as I did as a kid if my mom didn’t make that possible.
No mom; no golf for me. It also helped that she played. She had the loopiest, most un-refined swing I think I ever saw. As a young gun blasting my persimmon driver a whopping 280 yards, I used to smirk at her dippity-do swing and her casual relationship with distance and accuracy.
But the joke – as usual – was on me.
Her approach to the game has become my approach to the game. What is the point of playing if you aren’t having some fun alongside people whose company you enjoy?
When we planned this month’s edition, we wanted to hear from a cross-section of players, coaches, pros and business leaders about whether they felt the same way.
They did not disappoint. For some, they shared a similar story to mine – their mothers made the game possible. They drove. They paid for tee times. For others, it was encouragement: Always do your best. Are you doing what’s right for yourself? Mothers can be maddening with this kind of stuff – but boy do we miss it when we’re not getting that nudge anymore.
For some, it was actual on-the-course guidance. Janet Kupcho of Westminster, as just one exam-
ple, raised two children who play at a very high level and at times served as caddie. Her children, LPGA major winner Jennifer and her brother, former collegiate golfer Steven, are both in this edition’s Mother’s Month article.
With May it goes without saying that we should all take a moment to thank our moms – in person if we can. For those of us whose moms are no longer with us, think again maybe about the lessons they gave us and the hopes they had for us. There will never be anyone in our lives like them, and every moment spent together with them on a golf course turns out to be more precious than gold and treasure.
The issue also includes the latest in a 2025 series on the explosion of dunes golf in the region. Rodeo Dunes, the latest project by the Bandon Dunes company of Dream Golf, is slated to open to the public in 2026 northeast of Denver. In the series, we’ll feature some of the best dunes courses out there and talk to the people who have brought the phenomenon into reality.
We want our readers to know what’s out there waiting for them, how to play, and what makes dunes golf different and special.
This edition we hear from David McLay Kidd, the architect of the original Bandon Dunes course in Oregon, on how he thinks the Rodeo Dunes project will fare. (Here’s a hint: he hopes to be able to design one of the complex’s courses someday.)
Future coverage will include a re-visit to the great dunes courses in Nebraska and Kansas that helped kick off the phenomenon as well as some of the other great dunes courses here and around the world.
Hug your mother, take a lesson, and let’s all enjoy the start of a great golf season ahead.
Jim Bebbington// jim@coloradoavidgolfer.com
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THE CGA
PEOPLE OF THE CGA : LILLY DYE HARMON
MEET THE CGA BOARD SECRETARY
ByKaylaKerns
A proud Colorado native, Lilly Dye Harmon grew up immersed in golf at Glenmoor Country Club, co-designed by her father, Perry Dye, and her legendary grandparents, Pete and Alice Dye. From an early age, she gained invaluable lessons from her family’s renowned design legacy, learning that “drainage, drainage, drainage” was key to a great course and that forward tees made the game more accessible.
Lilly graduated from Kent Denver School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Methodist University. After teaching for several years, she transitioned to social media consulting, managing accounts for golf and small businesses. Since 2012, she has been a member of Ballyneal Golf Club. Now living in Castle Rock with her husband, Ross, and their two children, Brooks and Margaret, Lilly balances her career with life as a “mom taxi,” shuttling between high school and middle school activities.
With her deep-rooted passion for golf and dedication to growing the game, Lilly is a valued member of the Colorado Golf Association.
KK: What was it like growing up in the Dye family, a family of talented and very well-known golf course architects?
LDH: We spoke the language of golf. I feel like I was born with a club in my hand — it was always a constant in my life. I loved seeing the construction process, like bumping around in a truck with my grandfather while he built Whistling Straits. The best swing coach I ever had was my grandmother, and I was lucky to hit balls with her every summer at Crooked Stick Golf Club. My dad had an office
in Denver where a lot of well-known guys worked, like Jim Urbina, Neal and Eric Iverson. I loved answering phone calls at the front desk and watching them huddle over their designs in the back. Golf was just always a huge part of life.
KK: When you were younger did you realize what a big impact golf would have on your life?
LDH: No, definitely not. However, the one thing that my family always instilled in me and my sister is that golf, from the professional level down to the little kid who’s just running around with a putter in their hand, is a game for everybody.
KK: What do you do for work now?
LDH: My first job is being a mom and managing my kids. Part-time, I do social media work for small businesses in Castle Rock and have an account in Salt Lake City, which I really enjoy. I also volunteer a lot — from my kids’ schools to the Colorado Golf Association and doing legacy work for my family. I’m heavily involved in The Dye Jr. Invitational, a junior golf tournament in Indiana whose mission is to teach the next generation of golfers about the legacy of Pete and Alice Dye, so I spend a lot of time there in the summer.
KK: Who introduced you to the CGA Board and when did you officially join?
LDH: I was introduced to the CGA Board by Dana Murray, a former secretary of the executive committee. I grew up with her daughter Gretchen — we went to high school together in Denver. They were looking for more women to join the board, and since I was already involved in golf, Dana thought I’d be a great fit. The timing felt meaningful, as it came shortly after my grandmother’s passing. I saw it as an opportunity to give back to the game that has given me so much over the years. I officially joined the board in 2019, right before COVID, which made it challenging to get fully involved at first since everything was on Zoom. But over the past few years, I’ve really found my footing and figured out how I can best contribute.
KK: What do you do for the CGA Board now?
LDH: I’ve been actively involved in several committees, including CCGO, CPRC, and the Building Committee at CommonGround. I also serve on the fundraising committee for all our youth programs and currently hold the role of secretary on the executive committee. As our secretary, I play a big role in the decision-making process. Throughout the year, I stay in touch with all the board members
and help bring everyone together as a whole.
KK: What is a CGA project that you have worked on that you take pride in?
LDH: One of my favorite projects was redoing the CommonGround logo in 2020. Mitch Savage came up with the idea to make the diamonds look like mountains. We worked with the same company that designed the CGA logo, using the same colors and meaning. It was such a fun process, especially because they brought me in for my experience — having seen countless logos and visited so many courses over the years. Being part of that creative process was amazing, and then I got to see it come to life and wear it, which is so fun. Also, I was part of the committee that helped design and build the project — though, to be fair, Ty Holt was really the one who brought it to life. I had some input in the early stages on how to transform the clubhouse into a multipurpose building that could serve everyone. It was such a fun and rewarding experience.
KK: What is your favorite golf memory?
LDH: It all comes down to my grandparents. Whether it was spending time on job sites, golfing with them, or witnessing how influential their legacy has become, it’s been incredibly special to be a part of. I was present for many of their lifetime achievement awards. My grandmother was the first woman to serve as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), which was predominantly made up of men. Watching her break that barrier was inspiring and has motivated me to continue their legacy by ensuring everyone has access to the game — especially women and children.
One of the most memorable moments was when my grandfather was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Our whole family was there, and it was such a proud moment. My family always believed golf is a sport for everyone, encouraging us to join them on the course instead of staying home on Sundays. I’m incredibly grateful for those experiences.
Another favorite memory was my first hole-in-one at Glenmoor Country Club. It was on Father’s Day, and the first time I played golf with my now husband. I had been playing okay that day, and as I stepped up to the tee, my dad said, “Lil, keep your head down.” I hit a beautiful shot that rolled right into the hole. Doing that in front of my husband, my dad, and my mom was unforgettable.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LILLY DYE HARMON/ THE COLORADO GOLF ASSOCIATION
Colorado’s Golf Prodigy Rising
REFLECTS ON VICTORY, READIES FOR SUMMER GOLF GAUNTLET
Gavin Amella, the defending 5A boys’ high school state champ, is living the reality of what competitive youth golf is today.
Amella, a junior at Castle View High School in Castle Rock, won last fall’s boys large-school championship by shooting a 9-under par score at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora. He had a 4-under par final round that included five birdies in six holes on the front nine.
Amella next committed to play college golf at the University of Colorado after he graduates high school in 2026.
“I’ve wanted to be the state champion since I was 5,” he said. “My cousin won it back in 2012 and ever since I just wanted to win. And that was always my goal from day one. And it’s big for me, but it’s also big because I went from my school. I mean, there’s the first state championship.”
He said he played well on the front nine of the final day, then persevered on the back nine, while the other players tried to catch him.
“It was excitement and relief at the same time because I was just thinking about that, WOW, I finally did it,” he said. He has been working with
swing coach Ed Oldham for the past two years, the same coach who helped LPGA major-winner Jennifer Kupcho.
The youth golf season almost never stops, and after his success last summer, he was also named this year to the first squad of the USGA’s Team Colorado, a development team that supports some of the state’s most promising young players.
This is the first year of Team Colorado. The USGA launched the state-level team initiative to offer players financial assistance for some tournament travel as well as access to nutrition and training. As he and the other Team Colorado team members are experiencing their first year in the program, Amella is also looking ahead to a busy summer season, including a hoped-for return to his favorite junior competition, the Notah Begay III Jr. Golf National Championship.
The Begay tournament has become one of the most visible youth tournaments in the country. With state-level qualifiers all over the country and overseas, the tournament features a heated finals that is covered by the Golf Channel for boys and girls ages 10 to 18. The finals are Nov. 2 through 9 at Koasati Pines at Coushatta in Kinder, La. Amella said the tournament is near pro-level with
the amount of media coverage. “And so, it was definitely nerve wracking,” he said. There are five local Colorado qualifiers between April and June, and a state final in August.
And for the summer season ahead and the defense of his state championship title, Amella is trying to stay level-headed.
“So right now I’m just taking it step by step, day by day, just trying to get 1% better each day,” he said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY AMELLA
STATE CHAMP GAVIN AMELLA
PHOTO COURTESY OF GARY AMELLA
THE GALLERY
The Broadmoor Preps for Senior Stars
With the U.S. Senior Open coming to Colorado Springs in late June, the Broadmoor, the USGA and Colorado Springs have been prepping to host a great party.
Boulder native Hale Irwin is coming back to town to play the role of honorary tournament chairman. Irwin lives now in Arizona but is returning numerous times over the next few months as the tournament nears.
The state’s news media are being given the opportunity to interview the three-time U.S. Open champion at The Broadmoor on May 13 as the USGA ramps up its promotional efforts for the week-long event.
Qualifying events for the tournament began April 3 and for the first time the USGA is holding twostage qualifiers across the country.
There were 2,585 entries for the qualifying series this year.
The field for the Senior Open will remain in flux for several weeks still to come. Several big names from their PGA Tour days still have work to do to qualify for the event. Among the locks, however, are U.S. Senior Open champions from
the past 10 years. Champs like Bernhard Langer, Brad Bryant, Fred Funk, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, Jeff Maggert, Colin Montgomerie, Gene Sauers, Steve Stricker and David Toms are fully exempt and have slots in the field awaiting them if they choose.
There are 85 players overall exempt from qualifying, and many earned their way in through excellence on the PGA Tour. Players who are exempt from qualifying include Fred Couples, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els.
Shane Bertsch, a regular competitor on the Champion’s Tour who lives in Parker, is among also exempt from qualifying.
The qualifying process for many others this year mirrors the set-up that the USGA has used for the U.S. Open recently.
Local qualifiers are being held April 3 to May 9, with competitors playing 18-hole rounds at 32 sites across 25 states. Then a second round of final qualifying will take place May 19 to June 12.
COLORADO QUALIFIERS ARE:
- May 5 – A local qualifier at Cheyenne Shadows Country Club in Fort Carson.
-June 10 – A final qualifier at the Country Club of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
The U.S. Senior Open will be June 26 to 29 at The Broadmoor (East Course).
Richard Bland of England won the 2024 U.S. Senior Open, played at the Newport (Rhode Island) Country Club. This year’s Senior Open is the ninth USGA title contested at The Broadmoor since 1959. The course hosted the U.S. Senior Open before in 2018 (won by David Toms) and 2008 (won by Eduardo Romero).
RICHARD BLAND WINNING IN 2024 PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA CONTENT HUB/ KATHRYN RILEY/USGA
BERNHARD LANGER PHOTO COURTESY OF USGA CONTENT HUB/ JONATHAN ERNST/USGA
Inspirato Colorado Open Cuts Top Prize
INSPIRATO EXIT SPARKS SHIFT, COLORADO OPEN SEEKS NEW SPONSOR
Tournament operators are watching as entries come in to see if the changes announced earlier this year to the first-prize money for the Inspirato Colorado Open tournaments will affect the field.
The first-place prize money for the annual Inspirato Colorado men’s and women’s opens has been $100,000 each for the past several years. Beginning this year the winners will receive $50,000 instead; the prize money for the rest of the field remains the same.
The tournament series kicks off with the Inspirato Colorado Women’s Open May 28 to 30 at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver. The Inspirato Colorado Open is July 24 to 27, and the Senior Open is Aug. 27 to 29.
The Colorado Open Golf Foundation announced the changes this winter and said they are seeking also to move more money to a scholarship program. The field could also be affected by competition for the top players. The tournament is always held on the same weekend as the U.S.
Women’s Open, which is a weekend in which the LPGA’s developmental league, the Epson Tour, does not hold a tournament. That has led to a flood of Epson Tour players coming to Colorado each year for the Open.
The 2025 Destination Grapevine Texas Women’s Open is the same weekend, and top finishers there get Epson Tour exemptions for two tournaments as well as earn points toward rankings on the newly-formed ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour. The prize money at the Inspirato Colorado Women’s Open remains among the highest in the country for state opens.
Pros with local ties are among the early registrants. Former CU golf team great Brittany Fan, who is working as a teaching professional now, is registered. The amateur field, as usual, is filling up with the top young golfers in the state. The field includes Hadley Ashton, a senior at Erie High School who is planning to play at the University of Wisconsin and Ashleigh Wilson, a senior at Rock Canyon High School who is plan -
ning to play at Montana State University. The tournament organizers are also seeking a new title sponsor as the sponsorship by Denver-based travel company Inspirato is ending. “Inspirato has told us they’re not going to renew and we’re looking for new sponsors after 2025,” said Kevin Laura, the CEO of the Inspirato Colorado Open championship. “We have had an arms race and we’re really competing against ourselves in terms of purse size, and it’s made it hard to find new sponsors. We’d rather raise a lot of money for the kids through scholarships and not put all our eggs in the purse baskets.”
2024 COLORADO WOMEN’S OPEN CHAMPION, JULIANA HUNG
THE GALLERY
A Push for Better Conservation
The USGA and some golf course operators are continuing to urge the golf industry in the mountain states and Southwest to rapidly improve water conservation efforts.
The Colorado River Basin remains a contested source for water for agriculture, recreation and public usage, and several golf industry sources say they want courses to get ahead of the situation rather than wait.
The USGA this month put out a Water Conservation Playbook to the golf industry recommending more techniques for courses to use less water. The report goes into deep research into how courses and communities have used water. One of the case studies featured is of Littleton’s Ravenna Country Club and its recent putting green renovations.
Several of Ravenna’s greens were originally designed with severe slopes that meant large areas of the greens could not be used for hole locations and other areas received too much foot traffic and needed more water to recover. Some greens had only 20 percent of the putting green area that could be used for hole locations. Three greens were modified, the report said, with sod from high points of the greens used to fill in low-
er areas. The work was done in-house, and the greens were back in operation within a week.
The new greens allowed the wear-and-tear of the greens to now be spread out across the entire green areas, the report said.
Among the tactics the USGA recommends courses explore are moving to turfgrasses which naturally require less water, using recycled water for irrigation, and having a precision irrigation system that applies water just to the areas needed.
“Golf is currently in a time of great growth, but the threat of water availability and cost, combined with changing weather patterns, poses long-term threats to our playing fields,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “We want to put the best intelligence into the hands of those who are making decisions and working on courses every day, and spur innovation toward a more sustainable game.”
Whitey O’Malley, the owner of Saddleback Golf Course in Firestone, has been advocating course owners speed up their water conservation uses. He is the vice president of the National Golf Course Owners Association and will be president in 2026. “I am pushing for another water conference to include all participants getting their water from the
Colorado River,” he said recently. “As we all know there is not nearly enough water for all participants resulting in the constant threat of ‘dead pool’ in Lake Powell/Mead. Bottom line (is) golf has to have their head in the game.”
He said front range courses like his have their challenges but they pale in comparison to the courses in Las Vegas, Phoenix and California where communities may have to begin rationing water use. “Green grass is going to become a harder sell when local families are restricted to two showers a day,” he said.
The USGA water usage report can be found at USGA.Org/Water.
RAVENNA COUNTRY CLUB//
PHOTO CREDIT: BRADEN HANSEN, PREMIER AERIALS
USGA SOUNDS ALARM ON WATER CRISIS: ‘GOLF MUST GET ITS HEAD IN THE GAME’
RAVENNA COUNTRY CLUB// PHOTO CREDIT: BRADEN HANSEN, PREMIER AERIALS
THE GALLERY
From Gaming to Getaway
Operators of some of the most popular courses and casinos in the Nevada getaway of Mesquite are rebranding and promoting themselves as the right destination for the right times.
Mesquite Gaming, which operates the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino and the Virgin River Resort and Casino, is now Mesquite Entertainment. This comes as the popular Nevada resorts were acquired in November 2023 by a fund of the Oaktree Capital Management Group.
Mesquite Entertainment said their new brand name better captures the services they offer –not just gaming but full destination resort enjoyment.
“The rebranding coincided with a $25 million renovation project aimed at enhancing guest amenities across its properties,” the company announced.
The renovations will include improvements at restaurants, updated rooms, poolside activities and other changes.
Mesquite Entertainment operates the CasaBlanca Resort and Virgin River Casino and Lodge. Together the facilities offer nearly 1,200 guest
rooms and 76,000 square feet of casino space. They have 70,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.
At the CasaBlanca resort updates have included an expanded casino gaming floor, new sports viewing monitors throughout, a new fitness center and the Sky Bar, a contemporary center bar.
“The transformation of Mesquite Gaming into Mesquite Entertainment marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history, reflecting our vision for strategic growth and innovation,” said Justin Moore, CEO of Mesquite Entertainment. “This rebrand is more than a name change, it’s a pledge to our guests that we are committed to raising the bar across every aspect of their overall experience. As we embark on the next phases of our landmark multi-million-dollar renovation, we are thrilled to introduce even more groundbreaking enhancements that will continue to establish Mesquite Entertainment as the ultimate destination for gaming, hospitality and entertainment in the Southwest.”
Mesquite Nevada has long put itself out to the western golf community as the exciting and more affordable Nevada golf destination. Visitors typically fly into Las Vegas then drive 90 minutes to
the northeast to Mesquite. The city of Mesquite is right on the Arizona line, and vacationers who base there can use the casino and golf options in town as well as the golf and outdoor pursuits in nearby St. George, Utah.
Guests still will have access to six nearby golf courses with the CasaBlanca Golf Club and the Palms Golf Course as the centerpiece. The resorts have stay-and-play packages for groups and rooms begin at $99 a night. Other courses in the area include the Falcon Ridge Golf Course, the Oasis Golf Club’s Canyons or Oasis courses, and Wolf Creek Golf Course. PlayMesquite.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MESQUITE ENTERTAINMENT
MESQUITE GAMING REBRANDS AS MESQUITE ENTERTAINMENT AMID $25M RESORT OVERHAUL
PHOTO COURTESY OF MESQUITE ENTERTAINMENT
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Breaking Tradition
A NEW NATIONAL ORGANIZATION CONNECTS PLAYERS WHO LOVE THE GAME (BUT NOT THE DRINKS ON THE LINKS) BY JOHN
LEHNDORFF
Like thousands of Americans, Corey Davis discovered the joy of golf during the pandemic. “In 2020, I became obsessed with the game. I wanted to play a lot,” Davis says, calling from his home in New York State. “I had been sober for a few years and I noticed that a lot of golfing involved alcohol. I discovered that golf can be a great complement to my sobriety. I wanted to find people who were also on the same wellness journey,” he says.
“I think there is this expectation to partake and if you don’t, you’re kind of lame, you’re kind of a loser. Golf has historically been synonymous with drinking culture.”
The National Institute of Health agrees. An NIH study on alcohol and golf published in 2021 noted: “Few sports have integrated alcohol as seamlessly into their experience as golf (the second most popular sport among U.S. adults), where golfers can consume alcohol during and after a round.”
Google “golf and alcohol” and you find hundreds of references from Birdie Juice to Swing Oil to sipping a John Daly or a Transfusion at the 19th Hole.
Corey Davis slowly found friends who were on the same path as he is. “I started looking for a golf group that supported sobriety and I could only find a few regional organizations and social media sites,” he says.
The experience sparked the golfer to launch Soba in January 2025 as a national organization. “Soba is a wellness community focused on the intersection of sobriety and golf. Members can meet up locally with others to play golf and receive support,” Davis says.
“I’m happy for people to enjoy the game the way they want. I just want to offer an alternative.” Soba has already formed nine independent chapters across the country including one in the Denver area. According to Davis, Soba members range in age from 20 to 55. Each Soba group is a grassroots effort, completely run from the ground up locally.
“The game of golf has absolutely exploded at the same time as the larger conversation about mental health and well-being. Meanwhile, the stigma around addiction and substance abuse issues has
really lessened,” he says. Davis notes that alcohol is not the only substance being used by players on Colorado golf courses. Cannabis is widely referred to as golf’s “tempo fixer” on the Internet. While cannabis is legal in Colorado, public consumption is not, and courses ban it. However, near-smokeless vape pens and edibles make policing consumption a challenge.
“We want people to know that living this sober lifestyle is actually really cool and it includes tons of people. I think sober golfing should be like any other hip golf brand targeting a niche community of players across the county,” he says.
Many of those players are part of the next generations of golfers that courses and clubs want to recruit as new members.
A recent World Finance survey indicated that members of Generation Z (now 13 to 28 years old) drink 20 percent less than Millennials, who also drink less than the Baby Boomers who are starting to age out of active golfing.
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At Blackstone Country Club and Black Bear Golf Club, membership means more than just access—it means community. Whether you’re here for the game, the camaraderie, or a place to escape the every day, you’ll find a home among friends who feel like family.
From championship golf and lively social events to tennis, pickleball, fitness, and poolside relaxation, there’s something for everyone. Unwind, celebrate, and create lasting memories in a place where you truly belong. No matter your passion, your club is here.
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TOURNAMENT SERIES
Green Valley Ranch June 2nd
Black Bear Golf Club July 21st
The Ridge at Castle Pines September 3rd
REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:
18 Holes of Golf, Cart, Range Balls, Amazing Meals & Awards Ceremony, On-Course fun, plus a gift bag including a $40 Pins & Aces gift package and a dozen golf balls
• Golf Passport Members Receive a Discount!
PRIVATE PLAY DAYS
Blackstone Country Club May 19th
Cherry Creek Country Club October 13th
Kissing Camels Golf Course October 20th
REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:
18 Holes of Golf, Cart, a Meal and contests like Hole-in-One, Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive
• Golf Passport Members Receive a Discount!
REGISTER BELOW!
LOSING THE BATTLE AND FINDING SOBRIETY Davis did not grow up playing golf, but he did learn to drink at an early age. “At first it was a lot of fun, right? I’m 13 and exploring and expanding my mind. Very quickly alcohol became a crutch in my life,” he says.
“At 18 years old, my best friends are going away to these wonderful universities and I’m headed to a community college and still living in my parents’ basement. It wasn’t that I wasn’t competent. It was that every time I had to step up to my responsibilities, I’d get high or drunk.”
Change did not come into his life until his situation was dire, according to Davis. “I contemplated not being here anymore and I had some terrible car accidents. Things were getting really dark when someone in my life who was dealing with addiction ended up getting sober. Little by little, I noticed this person changing. We were talking and they said, ‘Do you want help?’ I was 22 and I saw hope in them and I was in rehab the next day. I haven’t had a drink since, and I still work on it every day.”
Wellness golf trips and honest talk about sobriety. Corey Davis had never been public about his sobriety journey until January 1, 2025.
“I felt it was important to share honestly about what’s been going on with me and to launch Soba,” he says. Besides forming chapters, Soba is organizing destination golf trips focused around wellness. “We have a shared house or location where it’s mutually supportive. We have a clinician on staff to host meetings,” Davis says.
“In the morning, we have meditation, yoga and breathwork before we play golf. Instead of spending time at the bar, we’re trying to better ourselves
so we can be better versions of ourselves when we go back to our lives.” Davis is also producing Soba Stories, a series of podcast discussions with golfers about sobriety.
His recent guests have included Stephen Malbon of Malbon Golf, Tom Coyne, senior editor of The Golfer’s Journal, and tour golfers.
Their discussions have included talking about the death of 30-year-old PGA golfer Grayson Murray. “Murray had won on tour. You thought everything was going the right way. He ended up taking his life last year. Sometimes people forget that sobriety can be a life-or-death situation,” Davis says.
As more golfers embrace an alcohol-free life on the links, Colorado courses are serving more beverage alternatives. According to NielsenIQ statistics, U.S. sales of nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits increased by 27 percent to $818 million last year. “There’s obviously a huge market and audience there now. This isn’t like back in the day when I got sober. The only option in 2010 for non-alcoholic adult beverages was O’Doul’s, which was pretty lame,” Davis says.
“I’ll hang out after a round and partake in a non-alcoholic beer or something. I’m not avoiding anybody. There’s a certain value in shooting the bull after a round.” For one thing, it can lead to important conversations, according to Davis.
“If somebody asks me why I’m not drinking, I just say ‘I’m retired,’ or, ‘it doesn’t agree with me.’ If they dig in more, I’ll tell them my story. The people who are really curious are usually the ones that are thinking about their relationship with drinking.”
Soba’s Corey Davis is planning on playing a round of golf on May 15. “I’ll be celebrating 15 years of sobriety,” he says.
PLAY US! with
Where Summer Meets the Sweet Spot!
Course Correction
COLORADO CLUBS BAN BIRDIE JUICE AND STOCK UP ON POPULAR ZERO-PROOF ALES AND COCKTAILS
Colorado golf courses have always had a quiet love-hate affair with liquor. Beer, wine and spirits are popular and generate a lot of revenue, but it comes with major headaches, according to the people charged with policing it.
“It’s hard dealing with drunk golfers on the course. We really try to keep everyone safe and we do not over-serve,” says Kate Weckerly, food and beverage manager at Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar at Redlands Mesa Golf Course.
According to Weckerly, some longstanding golf “traditions” like birdie juice or hidden six packs are no longer considered innocent fun.
If someone brings in their own flask, it is scary for servers because they could unintentionally overserve them. You want to know that you’re not sending somebody out on the road that way,” she says. “It’s illegal to bring any alcohol, even canned beers, on the premises at all. When I see it, I tell golfers they need to put it back in their cars or they can leave politely,” Weckerly says.
The restaurant and golf course in Grand Junction offer a complete bar menu with a few tweaks. “We offer a range of ales but we do try to choose beers that have a lower natural alcohol level so it’s not too much on a hot day when players are golfing for
hours,” she says. According to Weckerly, the number of golfers asking for non-alcoholic beverages has steadily increased.
“I used to order one case of N.A. beer, but a lot of times it would sit there for an entire season and nobody would order them. In the past few seasons, we’ve started to sell out of N.A. beers. It’s not like ordering Coors Light, but the demand has increased tenfold,” she says.
There is also a new attitude on the course and in the clubhouse, especially among the younger members. “Back when I started out, if a guy ordered an N.A. beer from the cart, all of his friends would make jokes. Nowadays, it’s totally normal. People really have cut back a lot,” Weckerly says.
Redlands doesn’t offer promotions built strictly around alcohol. “I like the new atmosphere. Paceof-play seems to have picked up, and there are fewer incidents on the course,” she says.“Golfers tell me their scores have improved, too.”
WHAT GOLF COURSES ARE POURING
TPC Colorado, Berthoud: Sierra Nevada Trail Pass IPA and five spirits-free cocktails including the Paloma Fizz: grapefruit soda, lime juice, simple syrup and a lime wedge.
Grill on the Gore, Vail Golf Club, Vail: Athletic Brewing Co. Upside Dawn Golden Ale and three mocktails including a Coconut Mint Cooler.
Golden Bee, The Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs: Grüvi Golden Lager, Guinness N/A Draught and mocktails including the Beekeeper’s Smash: Lyre’s American Malt N/A Spirit, lime, ginger, blackberries and mint.
Ironwood Bar & Grille, Flatirons Golf Course, Boulder: Upslope N/A Craft Lager and Grüvi Golden Lager.
Ocotillo Restaurant and Bar, Redlands Mesa Golf Course, Grand Junction: Coors Edge, Heineken 0.0, and Corona N/A and at least two mocktails.
PHOTO CREDIT: SIERRA NEVADA BREWING COMPANY
LONG LIVE King
BY ISAAC BOUCHARD
“The king is dead, long live the king!”
While Ford Raptorists (or whatever we might call fans of the desert racing F-150) might disagree, objectively it is hard to imagine a better all-around, hardcore pickup than the Ram RHO.
While many lament the passing of the Hellcat’s supercharged V8, the combination of the widebody wrapper of the beloved TRX and the new Hurricane twin-turbo engine make it even better in some respects, not the least of which is value.
A basic RHO costs less than most competitors’ snazzier half ton trucks, and even with most every option, the Ram rings in for less than much less capable Chevy, GMC and Ford rigs. And it still has an unrivaled interior that doesn’t suffer from the obvious cost cutting of rivals. That said, it is a shame that power tilt/telescope is not offered for the fully loaded models. Changes from the TRX include an even bigger, 14.5-inch infotainment screen and new digital instrument cluster, along with optional head up display that is larger and brighter, and a 10.3-inch screen for the passenger. The front seats now have a relaxing massage function and the rears can be heated and cooled. Aside from some tire hum, it is serene in there, right up to triple-digit speeds.
But all that is available in multiple other Ram 1500s. What sets the RHO apart is its body and suspension. The flared fenders and functional hood scoop make it look much more muscular than anything else extant and the wider 2025 grill and better integrated skidplate are even better looking than the TRX’s.
Underneath, the Bilstein Blackhawk e2 remote-reservoir dampers smother the biggest hits off-road running can dish out. They also adroitly deflect city chop better than the spool-valve shocks the hardcore General Motors models use, while giving better body control of pitch, roll and dive than a Ford Raptor. There is less understeer than the Ram TRX too, since the RHO’s mass is placed farther back. And there is still 13 inches of suspension travel in front, 14 in the rear and a
What will be most missed is the bellowing and howling exhaust of the Hellcat engine. What won’t be is its incessant TRX supercharger wine. Replacing it is the refined snarl of BMW’s legendary inline sixes. While there is a measure of cognitive dissonance between the RHO’s looks and its sound signature, the quiet cruising and improved fuel economy are major wins.
Having owned a TRX before, I can say it is much easier to live with a daily fuel consumption of 11 to 13 mpg than the 7 to 8 that the old truck returned. Yet there is little loss in outright performance, especially at high altitude. While the 0-60 time, at 4.6 seconds, is about half a second down on the dinosaur Ram, it is still a full second faster than the Ford and over two seconds faster than a Chevy or GMC.
And it feels as fast as the supercharged ‘Rex at a higher altitude, thanks to the better breathing of the twin turbos. Braking ability is quite astonishing, too, with massive stopping power and a firm pedal.
While certain overlanding trails will be a challenge for the RHO’s widebody, by every other metric, this Ram is one of the most capable, comfortable, fast and fun trucks ever conceived or built.
THE RAM 1500 RHO PACKS
denver broncos alumni
From the Gridiron to Giving
DENVER BRONCOS ALUMNI RALLY FOR AT-RISK YOUTHS
BY JIM BEBBINGTON
Former members of the Denver Broncos are continuing their efforts to serve the region and are holding a fundraising gala and golf tournament this June to help their causes.
The Denver Broncos Alumni Organization began in 1991 as ‘a gathering place for former players.’ It was intended to help players as they transitioned to life off the field and gave players the ability to stay in touch and stay connected to the Broncos organization.
In 2005 they formed the Denver Broncos Alumni Charities, which raises money and gives to local causes. The Charities and the Association work in tandem to support organizations throughout the metro Denver region and beyond, helping to change the lives of at-risk youth and create a legacy for which the Broncos Alumni can be proud.
In 2023 the group gave out a total of $61,000 to three Denver-area charities: the National Sports Center for the Disabled, in Golden; Spillionairs Youth Organization, a national youth football team that is based in Denver; and the Denver Kappa Alpha Psi Scholarship program.
The group is holding it’s main fundraiser this year June 1 and 2 at the Omni Interlocken Golf Club, 800 Eldorado Blvd., in Broomfield. A gala and auction is planned for Sunday night, June 1, at the resort, with groups teeing off the next morning on the course.
This year’s participants include Hall of Fame safety Steve Atwater and six-time Pro Bowl safety Dennis Smith. Some of the former players who serve as board members for the group include Mark Jackson, who caught the game-tying pass in The Drive;
former cornerback Le-Lo Lang; former tight end Ron Egloff; former cornerback Frank Robinson; Atwater; and defensive back Mike Harden.
This year’s is the 18th annual tournament and gala.
The Alumni have worked with thousands of youths over the years, through numerous organizations, foundations and events. Their role as former professional football players with the Denver Broncos brings a higher profile role and impact in their involvement. The celebrity status that they bring to their partnering organizations helps establish and grow a network of influence that will last lifetimes.
For more information: DenverBroncosAlumni.Org.
Luxury & Charity
Saturday, September 20, 2025
6:00 – 9:30 pm
Hangar Club
Interactive Experiences Through Out The Evening
Immerse yourself in a night of opulence and philanthropy at our exclusive charity event, featuring interactive experiences, stunning lounges, and thrilling activities with prizes to be won. Meet local artists and marvel at breathtaking classic and luxury vehicles. The evening will be set to the perfect rhythm with DJ music outdoors and live indoor performances by local band Narrow Gauge, the Country & Classic Rock dance band.
Savor
the Flavor
Indulge in fine wine, craft beer, and signature cocktails, paired with delectable bites from nine, top local restaurants and food vendors.
Make a Difference
Proceeds support FullCircle, a local non-profit organization with five area locations (fullcircleprogram.com), that empowers teens, young adults, and their families struggling with mental health and substance abuse. The program has become a beacon of hope for families from every walk of life — CEOs of fortune 500 companies sit side by side with single parents and teens who come through the doors with nothing but the weight of their pain. FullCircle's program is offered free to everyone. Your presence helps raise awareness and funds for life-changing programs and services.
BENEFITING:
PRESENTED BY:
The Dunes Golf Revolution
Designing Golf’s Future
FAMED SCOTTISH GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT BEHIND BANDON DUNES ROOTING FOR RODEO DUNES WORDS BY DAVID YOUNG | IMAGES BY EVAN SCHILLER
Touching down at the Jackson Hole Airport on the border of Wyoming and Idaho in Grand Teton National Park, the mountains loom large. In a world best known for its skiing and fly fishing, golfers are beginning to journey here for the Tributary Golf Course, the latest project from the famed Scottish golf course architect David McLay-Kidd, DMK, of DMK Golf Designs.
Just over the massive mountain range that jut nearly 14,000 feet into the high-altitude blue skies sits Tributary in Driggs, Idaho, a 10-hour drive from Denver. The hidden gem is a private, residential community that offers skiing, fishing, dining, wellness, and a championship golf course designed by DMK. DMK is best known for his award-winning courses at Bandon Dunes and the Castle Course at St. Andrews. McLay-Kidd is renowned for working with natural landscapes—rather than against
The Dunes Golf Revolution
them—to seamlessly integrate his courses into communities. While exploring Tributary, I chatted with DMK about how he approaches designing golf courses and his thoughts on Colorado’s new Rodeo Dunes by Dream Golf, which was inspired, in part, by the success of Bandon Dunes. Bandon Dunes runs along Oregon’s rugged coast with long fairways and rolling grassy dunes that flank the sea. It is an homage to Scotland’s ancient links golf and Colorado is set to get its version of this style of course.
Rodeo Dunes is a new public golf course in Weld County on 4,000 acres of dunes developed by Michael and Chris Keiser, owners of Sand Valley Resort. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, architects of the first of six-planned Rodeo Dunes courses, are at work with the complex expected to be open to the public in 2026. DMK is rooting for Rodeo
Dunes’ success in hopes that he can eventually design a course there too.
“I hope it (Rodeo Dunes) crushes it because if it is going to be the next Bandon Dunes, then it is going to have a David McLay-Kidd golf course on it at some point,” DMK said. “I hope the Keiser boys give me a call and say, ‘Hey last time you went first, this time you are going third.’ If it is as successful as everything else they touch there’s a good chance at some point down the line that I will get a shot at (designing) something.”
If this were a decade ago, DMK said he would have been begging the Keisers for a chance to work on Rodeo Dunes, but today he is so busy building courses he can patiently wait for an opportunity to work with Dream Golf again.
DAVID MCLAY KIDD’S TRIBUTARY GOLF COURSE IN IDAHO. PHOTO BY EVAN SCHILLER/COURTESY OF TRIBUTARY GOLF COURSE
Rodeo Dunes is fully focused on the first two courses for the time being, but Tom Ferrell, Rodeo Dunes VP of Media & Communications, said there is room for more golf on the site.
“All of the current attention is on introducing the C&C (Coore and Crenshaw) course to Colorado golfers for the 2026 season,” Ferrell said in an email.
While DMK has yet to see the Colorado property in person, he can envision what the terrain looks like and said it is hands down the best inland terrain for golf. The rugged eastern plains of Colorado make for ideal dunes golf—akin to the southwest coast of Ireland.
The aim is to create a world-class golf course destination similar to what made Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley two of the world’s top golf destinations. Bandon Dunes proved that you can build a golf course anywhere in the U.S. and that golfers will make the journey to play it. DMK points to Sand Valley in Wisconsin and Streamsong in Florida as similar courses that have become des-
The Dunes Golf Revolution
tinations for golfers. “Bandon Dunes proved that geographical location inside the U.S. is immaterial. If the golf is really good, they (golfers) will find a way,” said DMK.
While DMK’s most popular courses share the “dunes” or “links” designation, he is uncomfortable with being put in a box using such terms. He just tries to create courses that celebrate golf’s ground game.
“What Americans see is golf courses that appreciate or celebrate the ground game in whatever way we create them,” he said. “Whether they look linksey or dunesy, we are trying to make the game more multi-dimensional than it appears on the current PGA tour.”
When designing a course, DMK looks at the raw potential of landscapes viewing such places as a script that he both directs and produces to create the best course possible. The trick to getting a dunes course right, including his recent work on Tributary, has less to do with creating a dream course and more to do with seeing what the land
has to offer. DMK said some sites, such as Bandon Dunes, are a perfect site for golf as is. However, other sites such as Tributary require more work.
The trick to getting a dunes or links course right, is what DMK calls a “Golf Time Machine”— he approaches a tract of land by looking to the past before creating the future. He tries to envision what the landscape looked like billions of years ago and then creates that world with his course design.
Rodeo Dunes and Tributary are both great examples as the landscape and fairways prove that sometimes restoring an ancient landscape is better than creating a new one.
DMK said that over his expansive career designing golf courses, he has learned all the tricks and has every tool available to him at this point, yet less is more when it comes to golf course design.
“Brevity and minimalism and restraint are now the things I value the most,” DMK said.
BeyondBandon
OREGON IS A DESTINATION FOR GOLFERS, BUT MANY OF ITS BEST COURSES LAY MILES FROM THE COAST WORDS BY TONY DEAR
There are doubtless Coloradoans who read travel articles describing a place as the most beautiful in the world and chuckle, “Hold my beer.”
Colorado mountains bow to no one.
Nonetheless, Coloradans appreciate there probably are other locations that compare favorably with their own state and that they might even be worth visiting.
The whole of the western United States is full of staggeringly eye-catching landscapes, and if there’s a golf course in the picture then so much the better.
Oregon has entered the chat.
Oregon has a number of courses whose surroundings would make even the proudest of Colorado golfers sit up and take notice. Of course, Bandon Dunes in the southwest corner offers six that are within easy walking distance of each other on the coast, four hours south of Portland. But Oregon isn’t all about Bandon Dunes.
Two hundred and fifty miles inland, a little to the northeast and just the other side of the Cascade Mountain Range, is an area that claims a number of enjoyable resort courses plus a mountain town that frequently gets ranked among America’s best.
destination: central oregon
Bend and its neighboring cities of Sisters and Redmond form a wonderful triangle that’s part of a region known to travelers as Central Oregon. And while Colorado has its sensational mountain courses, the UK its historic links and heathland venues, and Melbourne, Australia its famous Sandbelt collection, Central Oregon boasts layouts that have an undeniable sense of place as well.
The high desert of Central Oregon sits at an altitude of not-quite-mile-high 4,000-4,500 feet and is characterized by its semi-arid climate (roughly 11 inches of rain a year and perfect summer days in the mid-high 70s) and distinctive flora – pine, juniper, sagebrush and, for those looking for a little piece of home, Rocky Mountain Penstemon.
Golfing here is a heavenly way to spend a day. There’s a dozen or more worthy courses that tick the high desert boxes – dry, firm, pines, sage, juniper – and most of which throw in spectacular views west toward Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sisters, white-topped peaks that form part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc. The quartet of courses that attract the most attention are at Tetherow, Black
destination: central oregon
Butte Ranch, Crosswater (Sunriver), and Pronghorn. Tetherow is a David McLay-Kidd design that has been softened over the years, but when it’s at its firmest and there’s a 15 to 20 MPH breeze in the air, it can still be extremely challenging. It opened in 2008 and has matured beautifully and gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the best courses in the Pacific Northwest.
The high-end neighborhood that surrounds it has grown over the last decade or so, but you won’t really notice it as you try to figure out how your ball is going to behave once it’s landed. A good ground game is essential to scoring well here and that means not only having a sound technique and being able to pinch the ball cleanly off tight turf but also a vivid imagination. Your stock shots will come in useful, but you’ll need an extra dimension if you’re to finish the round anywhere near your handicap.
There are several highlights, but the hole you’ll remember longest will be the short 17th which Kidd found in a pumice quarry. The resort here has been named the best in the region and, in 2023,
was voted by readers of Condé Nast Traveler as 28th best in the world. So you get the idea it’s a pretty special place. Solomon’s, the resort’s main restaurant, is currently being renovated, but the alternatives – The Row and The Café – are fine deputies. Tetherow.com.
Pronghorn Golf Club is 16 miles northeast of Bend, a drive that takes you into definitive high-desert country. As you approach the clubhouse on the long and twisting driveway, you’ll get a flavor of what’s in store. Both the Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio-designed courses here are fairly open with holes surrounded by a lot of sage, low trees, assorted shrubbery, sand, and rocks with the occasional water feature.
Both are fabulous though Fazio’s sits higher in the rankings and is usually considered the more eagerly-won tee-time. Indeed, you need to be staying at the adjoining Juniper Preserve Resort to get one of the few spots available for resort guests. Among the attractive jumble of high-desert clutter are the sort of playing surfaces you expect to find at upscale resorts like Pronghorn. A larger pro shop and
With a beautifully re-imagined clubhouse, expanded social spaces, and a calendar full of events, there’s never been a better time to be part of The Pinery Country Club. Come check out all the upgrades and toast to the fresh new look. A haven for everyday life, where tradition, luxury and nature meet, while providing top-tier amenities and an unparalleled experience for our members.
We can’t wait to show off our stylish new space. Come on by and see for yourself!
destination: central oregon
the Iris Restaurant and Blue Bar recently opened making an already superb destination a little bit better. JuniperReserve.Com.
Black Butte Ranch, a 1,800-acre resort community, passes its 55th birthday this year and is regarded as something of a Grand Old Dame of Central Oregon golf resorts. To assume its best days are long gone, however, would be wildly inaccurate, as just last year, its incredible new Lodge Restaurant, which opened in May 2023, was named one of America’s 50 most beautiful restaurants by OpenTable and People Magazine.
There are two courses here – Big Meadow, originally designed by Robert Muir Graves in 1972 and renovated by his former associate Damian Pascuzzo in 2008; and the Gene Mason-designed Glaze Meadow which opened in 1980 and benefitted from a large-scale renovation by John Fought in 2012. Trees came down, fairways were widened, greens reverted to their original size and shape, and bunkers were replaced, removed, and revived. Even though Black Butte Ranch is closer to the mountains than Pronghorn, views of the snowy summits are fewer as most of the 36 holes were cut through a fairly dense pine forest. Both courses are now regarded as Pacific Northwest classics that shouldn’t be missed. BlackButteRanch.Com
Crosswater opened in 1995 and is part of the Sunriver Resort, 20 miles south of Bend, and was designed by Bob Cupp who made terrific use of the Little Deschutes River in siting greens and creating a disarming test which opened in 1995 and, on a warm day with a gentle breeze and Mt. Jefferson looking resplendent against a deep blue sky, provides a very special day’s golf. Each of the four clubs/courses/resorts above has excellent lunch and dinner options, but if you fancy something a little different choose a designated driver, or call for an Uber, and head out on the 18-stop Bend Ale Trail where each brewery/pub offers its own food or partners with caterers or food trucks. And if you really want to do Central Oregon right, you’ll start each day at the historic McKay Cottage on O.B. Riley Road in Bend with a Baha Hask Stack. Crosswater.Com.
And should you have time for any more golf, try the excellent Brasada Canyon Golf Course, Aspen Lakes Golf Course, Juniper Golf Course, Quail Run Golf Course, or the two other courses at the Sunriver Resort (where you must stay in order to play) –Woodland and Meadows. You probably won’t have time to visit all of Central Oregon’s golf courses in one trip. But then, you probably won’t make just one trip to what is a highly desirable, yet hugely underrated, destination.
“
Mom didn’t get the glory for the comeback, but she deserves all the credit. She taught me tough lessons that shaped me, not just as a golfer, but as a parent. Mom, thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Steven Kupcho
MEMBERSHIP NOW OPEN!
Junior Development Series
A non-intimidating, FUN-focused junior golf environment purposed to foster friendships, inspire commitment, and offer guidance.
Open to kids ages 6-18 with little to no competitive golf experience. 6, 9, 18-hole playing opportunities
Caddies allowed at this level
Double Par + 1 Stroke Limit
Junior Player Series
Players will strive to improve their games while gaining competitive experience.
Open to kids ages 11-18 18-hole playing opportunities
Opportunities to qualify for Cup Series during the season
Caddies not allowed
10 Stroke Limit
Junior Cup Series
Provides local opportunities for top junior golfers to hone their skills in a competitive environment.
Players can earn invitations from QSchool, Cup Qualifiers, & Major Qualifiers
Caddies Not Allowed
No stroke limit
Cup Membership is by Invitation Only
Celebrating moms
Mother’s Make the Game Possible
IT’S MAY, TIME FOR MOTHER’S DAY, AND TO RECALL THE MANY WAYS THAT MOTHERS CONNECTED MANY OF US TO THE GAME OF GOLF
BY JIM BEBBINGTON
Many people in the Colorado golf community say they wouldn’t be involved in the game at all if it were not for their mothers.
With Mother’s Day this month, we asked a cross-section of Colorado golfers, teachers and leaders to talk about what their moms did to make the game possible for them. Their stories, in their own words, are below.
The stories show what we all know – moms make many good things possible for us. Whether they caddied for their son at a youth tournament or signed one up for his first tournament, or flew across a continent to help their daughter move into college – they do so much it is impossible to thank them enough.
But that is all many of us can do. Thank you, mom.
JANET KUPCHO
Steven Kupcho: I played a lot of golf in my career and was fortunate to have the support of friends and family at many events. While having loved ones present is always special, nothing tops having one on the bag. My dad caddying for my first (and only) Korn Ferry start is a memory I’ll cherish forever.
However, one moment stands above the rest—the only time a caddie quit on me. It was the 2012 CGA Stroke Play Championship at Fort Collins Country Club. I was struggling, especially on the greens. On the par-5 7th, I decided to go for the green in two, likely against the advice of my caddie—my mom.
The poorly struck shot found the center of the lake. Frustrated, I snapped my 3-iron. Mom kept her composure, unlike her son. That evening, she
informed me I’d need a new caddie (aka I would have to convince Dad to push the cart). More importantly, she reminded me to stay cool, have fun, and trust the process.
That tournament turned around—Dad and I rallied from way behind to win. Mom didn’t get the glory for the comeback, but she deserves all the credit. She taught me tough lessons that shaped me, not just as a golfer, but as a parent.
Mom, thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Jennifer: My mom has played an essential role in me playing golf. Golf was a family game for us and so we always went out to play together. My dad, mom, and brother Steven - we were the perfect foursome.
Growing up and playing junior golf she came to every event to watch. She was always the one that traveled with me to out of state to tournaments and was my biggest cheerleader.
I definitely wouldn’t be playing on the world stage without her support and desire to give me the best opportunities growing up. She obviously sometimes had her tough love moments but she was always meaning well, supporting, and wishing me to do the best that I could do, both on and off the golf course.
Janet Kupcho grew up in Arvada and is the mother of LPGA professional Jennifer Kupcho and former Northern Colorado University golfer Steven Kupcho, who lives in Scottsdale with wife Jenny and their children Deklyn and Eisenhower.
STEVEN KUPCHO, TOP, AND JENNIFER KUPCHO, BOTTOM, WITH MOM, JANET KUPCHO
Matt McCarty 2024 Alum Player of the Year
The Ascendant presented by Blue returns for the seventh year to TPC Colorado. This remarkable Front Range experience features 156 of today’s brightest professional golfers teeing it up for a $1 Million purse, amazing food and hospitality, an outstanding Kids Zone and so much more. Scottie Scheffler (World Ranking #1), Will Zalatoris and Matt McCarty have all played here… Join us!
Enter code: Avid25 to receive a 10% discount on admission excluding Summit Club.
Will Zalatoris 2020 Champion
Scottie Scheffler 2019 Alum
MAME (MABEL) IRWIN
Hale Irwin: When I was quite young and into all sports we lived in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Mom would take me to all my practices – she was working at the time – she would take me to baseball and golf. There was a 9-hole sand green golf course. It was the kind of place where I found a home. I would have a peanut butter sandwich and I would play a few holes and wander in the woods and get poison ivy. She was the person who got us around.
When we moved to Boulder in 1959 we stayed across the street from what is now Flatirons Golf Course. She and Dad entered me into the local Jaycee junior golf tournament and lo and behold I won it – first tournament, first win. As a matter of fact that trophy sits proudly in my trophy case today here in Arizona. Both my Mom and my Dad were very supportive of me in anything I chose to do. Dad’s saying was ‘Don’t start something you can’t finish’ and I remember that to this day. Mom said ‘Don’t quit.’
Mom helped out when (years later) like when (his wife) Sally and I had to go to Australia she took
Celebrating moms
the kids. They were always there, they were never really in the limelight but they were always there. That’s why my wife and I have tried to be there for our kids and grandkids. She was always there with the biggest hug and the biggest kiss and the biggest ‘Go get ‘em.’
Mame Irwin is mother to three-time U.S. Open winner and C.U. Boulder graduate Hale Irwin.
LONDA MCKANDLESS
Kelli McKandless: My mom, Londa McKandless, has been my rock from the very beginning. She was the one making sure I didn’t sleep my life away in high school, getting me up by 8 a.m. every summer morning. She was the one driving me at 5 a.m. to make an 8 a.m. shotgun start in Dallas (a 2.5 hour drive). She continues to be the voice in my head, pushing me to pursue greatness and the one who lifts me up after setbacks.
In 2022, when I started the Summit Junior Tour, a junior golf tour for high school players, I needed extra help during the summers. Without hesitation, my mom traveled from Texas to spend May
through August with us in Colorado, fully dedicating herself to supporting the tour. She became the welcome committee, learning every player’s name and making sure they knew there would always be snacks and water waiting for them on the course. She spends countless hours baking cookies and her famous lemon bars, ensuring the kids have a homemade treat after their rounds.
Londa McKandless’ daughter Kelli McKandless is a Denver-area PGA professional and instructor.
ELAINE MATTHEWS
Cathy Matthews-Kane: I learned to play golf at age 9 as a way for my parents to get me out of the rink during Canadian summers as my first love was figure skating. My Dad taught me to play the game, but my Mom was the rock who made my career in golf possible. In my junior golf years, she volunteered as our Junior Golf Coordinator for Newfoundland, traveling summers with our junior team and driving the daunting large passenger vans just to ensure I had a great experience. She was relentless in her support driving and flying to and from tournaments to help me chase my
LONDA MCKANDLESS (LEFT) & KELLI MCKANDLESS
MAME & HALE IRWIN
ELAINE MATTHEWS (LEFT) & CATHY MATTHEWS-KANE
passion. My fondest golf memory is of feeling my Mother’s unwavering support was when she and my Grandmother traveled to Iowa State University to help me settle into college life at age 17. They even taught me and some teammates on how to do laundry!
My Mother has always been there for me throughout my golf career. Today, she’s a proud Grandma to our two giant Leonberger dogs supporting me at times as a doggie sitter while I serve this great game as the PGA of America District IX Director.
Elaine Matthews lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada; her daughter Cathy Matthews-Kane is general manager of Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs
SARAH LEE WARREN (SCHANTZ)
Tim Schantz: My mom, Sarah Lee Warren (Schantz) and her mother and father (and many relatives before them) made golf possible for me. As a kid I spent almost every summer in Emporia, Kansas, a small town literally (almost) at the center of the lower 48! Mom’s family lived in Emporia from the mid-1800s (helping to establish the town) and were founding members of the local Country Club, Emporia Country Club, and its 9-hole golf course.
My grandparents lived within walking distance of the club, and all summer I would walk there, take lessons and play golf with my friends all day long and swim, play tennis and eat cheeseburgers (made available just by signing my name, imagine that!). In my role today, I think often of those days, and the lessons I learned, not just about golf, but about life. Whenever I do that, thoughts go to my mom and her family, and just how very fortunate I am.
Tim Schantz, the chief executive officer of Troon Golf, graduated from Aurora’s Overland High School and attended the University of Colorado
SANDRA WECKERLY
Maxwell Weckerly: Golf has become more than just a game for my Mom and I – it’s how we connect. My family owns the Redlands Mesa Golf Course, so we’re pretty much always working! But when we’re off the clock, we love hitting the course together. It’s our time to relax, have fun, and talk about life. Out there, we can take a break from the business and responsibilities. It’s just us (and the occasional single player!), enjoying a round and chatting about everything – from course improvements to random life updates. It’s the perfect setting to catch up and share ideas without the usual distractions.
Celebrating moms
We also love brainstorming ways to make our course even better! Whether we’re thinking up new ideas for the course layout or improving the customer experience, it’s awesome to work together in a more laid-back way. Plus, there’s something about being out on the course that makes it easier to think creatively. Golf has become our little escape from the daily grind, a way to bond while doing something we both love. Every round is a chance to connect, laugh, and keep growing both as family and business partners. And honestly, there’s no better way to spend time together!”
Sandra Weckerly is the general manager of Redlands Mesa Golf Course near Grand Junction and the mother of Maxwell Weckerly, Director of Golf at the Redlands Mesa Golf Course.
SARAH LEE WARREN AND TIM SCHANTZ
MAXWELL WECKERLY WITH MOM SANDRA, LEFT, AND FRIENDS
HAYMAKER GOLF COURSE
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Traditional links-style course boasting uninterrupted views of Mount Werner and the Yampa Valley! Consistently voted among the best courses to play in Colorado.
After your round, enjoy spectacular sunset views at Haymaker Patio Grill
After your round, enjoy spectacular sunset views at Haymaker Patio Grill
The Pinery Country Club – the hub of one of the first large-scale residential developments in Parker outside of Denver – is welcoming its members for the 2025 golf season with a fully renovated clubhouse. The project concluded last fall but with the launch of spring golf season snowbirds are seeing it for the first time.
The clubhouse project involved a full re-envisioning of the interior. Walls were taken down and dining rooms, grills and lounges all were re-designed to give a fresh feel that flows cleanly one to another. “For members, the biggest comments are threefold – the clubhouse is more open - there were more walls – and it’s got that Craftsman look to it,” said Mike Jones, the general manager of the club since last summer. “That, combined with getting a new chef, Joshua Becker, increased the quality of the food and better service. Members right now are super happy. Lots of Pradera members are coming over. Right now the vibe is positive.”
The club is owned by Arcis Golf and has a partnership with another Arcis club nearby, The Club at Pradera. “Through the creation of an open clubhouse flow, members now enjoy an enhanced experience that fosters a warm, social club culture,” the club’s operators, Arcis Golf, said in an announcement about the renovations. “The fireplace lounge flows to the bar, allowing members to gather spontaneously over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The dining rooms are furnished with custom banquette seating and trestle-style farm tables, offering unincumbered sunset views of the Mountain Course’s ninth hole.”
“The Pinery is known as a thriving, family-centric club,” said Blake Walker, Chairman and CEO of Arcis Golf. “We wanted to provide each family member with additional opportunities to engage and connect with others. The airier, open clubhouse design accomplishes this by promoting greater interaction and providing additional spaces to relax and create new memories.”
Elements of the design celebrate the American Craftsman’s historical roots, incorporating patterned wallpapers and textiles by William Morris, whose designs heavily influenced the American Craftsman style. The outdoor patio has been renovated as an extension of the main dining room, with seating for 100 guests. There’s more room throughout the clubhouse, including at the newly transformed Golfer’s Grill. Known as the “The Prohibition Room,” the space pays homage to Colorado’s bootleggers’ rebellion which led to the repeal of Prohibition and developed an early foundation for the brewing culture the region is lauded for today, the club’s announcement states.
renovation: pinery
Craftsman Comfort
THE PINERY COUNTRY CLUB IN PARKER EMERGES FROM MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION
BY JIM BEBBINGTON |
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE PINERY
THE SUNSET ROOM
The Clubhouse is finished and now it’s just a matter of taking care of our Members “
-MIKE JONES
CLUBHOUSE MAIN BAR
Ben Hogan famously said, “the secret is in the dirt,” meaning hard work and persistence are the keys to developing the golf swing.
Included in that experience is finding golf clubs that are appropriate for our height, swing speed and other factors. The dirt is what kicks up during that learning process on the practice range, divot after divot.
And now like with so much else, getting fit for clubs – essential to achieve consistently good contact –for many has moved online. It’s a “direct-to-consumer” sector that runs contrary to the traditions embodied by Mr. Hogan and many others, and the market is growing.
Callaway, TaylorMade and even PXG, which opened for business in 2013 claiming it offered the ultimate in-person fitting experience, now have online portals that enable golfers to pick out the type of shaft, clubhead, grip size and many custom details that go into woods and irons and putters. Denver-based club manufacturer Edel Golf has been in the D-T-C market for years, and the brand was recently acquired by Arvada-based Pins and Aces largely because Pins founders have expertise in direct-to-consumer sales.
“One of the attractive pieces for us (in purchasing Edel) was D-T-C is what’s Pins and Aces is good at,” said Pins and Aces founder Nick Mertz.
“There was a good situation to grow.” In all cases, the new clubs end up on doorsteps within a week or two.
What’s in it for the average golfer? Vice Golf, a wellknown brand that does most of its selling and advertising successively online, is now transitioning to irons, wedges and putters. Aside from standard club head styles, the website allows customers to dream up stylish custom colors for the irons, wedges and putters.
“When we launched Vice, it was all about disrupting the status quo — starting with golf balls. We proved that high-performance equipment didn’t need to come with a crazy price tag, and people responded to that,” said Brand Manager James Taylor. “We’ve been gathering player data for over a decade through fittings, feedback, and community engagement. That insight made it clear: there’s a big appetite for clubs that look great, feel amazing, and don’t cost a fortune.”
The do-it-yourself fitting process online reduces cost for the manufacturer and the savings is passed down to the consumer.
direct-to-consumer: clubs
Ditch the Pro Shop?
WHY GOLFERS ARE TURNING TO ONLINE CLUB FITTING BY TED JOHNSON
The companies then have the option to run pretty lean – fewer salespeople and no deals with major retailers.
Some of the price points can be tantalizing. Takomo, out of Finland, entered the market with an iron model costing about $90 each compared to $150 or higher from a major manufacturer. Sub 70 Golf has irons for high handicappers at $80 each, with muscle back and player iron models going for $130.
“We have an online fitting tool that is about 13 questions long, including shot profile, desired shot profile, and club characteristics,” said Sean McCullum, who heads PR for Takomo. “Data like height, wrist to floor, etc. are included. We’ve found it to be quite accurate, though if someone was to go get fit by any fitter out there, they could simply order our product to match their fitter-recommended specs.”
However, it is well known in the golf-teaching community that a good majority of golfers have little technical understanding of their swings. Without some measuring sticks, few golfers can fully detail their launch angle, clubhead speeds, or other characteristics. This is where high-tech tools like a
direct-to-consumer: clubs
launch monitor common to hands-on fitting help. “There are a couple of challenges,” said Jain Sawinski, Sr. Vice President, U.S. Sales at PXG. “The biggest is golfers fib. Everyone says they hit a 7-iron 150 yards, but no one really does. Golfers don’t know what optimal is, and even most Tour golfers don’t play their optimal shots. They get fit by what fits their eye.”
MANY ARE GIVING IT A TRY
This begets the question: What happens when the golfer orders a set of woods or irons and the customer isn’t happy? Most companies offer a 30day grace period for returns. Some may charge a re-stocking fee, but understand that companies are intent on keeping the customer.
“Our bread and butter is the relationship with the customer,” Sawinski said. “And we get that in our stores (which is where the hands-on fitting takes place).”
One issue is that golfers and their bodies and their swings change or evolve. Also, new clubs can peel away ignorance, such as learning the 5-iron carries just as far as the 7-iron. “You buy what fits you today. We can do a ‘fit-check’ to see what’s causing problems,” Sawinski pointed out. “It’s not just
a straight-forward return, not just a transaction. You’re a customer for life.”
Here’s one example of hands-on fitting paying off. A husband wanted a full set of clubs for his wife. Sawinski analyzed her swing specs and produced a set that had a driver, 7-wood, hybrid, sand wedge and a putter. “And she loved it,” Sawinski said, “because she didn’t have to think.”
Something that many of us probably need to learn.
major dtc
club providers
PXG.Com
ViceGolf.Com
EdelGolf.Com
TakomoGolf.Com
GolfSub70.Com
CaleyGolf.Com
Faktorgolf.com
Stix.Golf
long drive hopes
Swing Speed and Adrenaline
INSIDE KYLER BRADY’S LONG DRIVE DREAMS
WORDS BY SAM ADAMS | PHOTOS BY BRENDAN O’KEEFFE
For weeks, it was hard for me not to notice Kyler Brady going through intense workouts at 24 Hour Fitness health club in Parker.
One morning, as the 34-year-old was into a series of rigorous backswing-like pull exercises, the curious retired sports journalist within me finally decided to pop the question.
“Hey man — you play golf?” I asked. Brady’s response was “yeah.” He mentioned Long Drive competitions and then went back to work.
I learned later from Brady that he was training for the World Long Drive tour’s ‘Clash In The Canyon’ held in March, on the fabled long drive grounds of Mesquite, Nevada.
In 2019, at a co-worker’s urging, Brady tried a long drive competition for the first time. The event was held in Colorado Springs. “I went out there and got embarrassed,” Brady said.
“But I kind of got the itch. What an adrenaline rush you have with what these guys can do, the feeling
long drive hopes
of it.” Brady got serious about long drive competitions in 2024. He entered events as an amateur, while working on his body strength and swing speeds — with the goal of competing as a pro.
Fatigue, Brady said, played a factor in his event finishes.
Every workout for Brady begins with 20 minutes of stretching. From there, it’s all relentless motion. Deadlifts, pulls, pushes, presses, squats, jumps and other assorted exercises . . . six to eight reps of different power movements paired with various explosive movements, for at least two hours a day.
Brady follows extensive workout programs crafted by his brother-in-law, Morgan Blatnik — a certified strength and conditioning specialist who lists Colorado School of Mines’ baseball team on his resume.
At 6-1 and 215 pounds, Brady would appear to be bulking up to shatter golf balls. In reality, he’s trying to build swing speed to launch them deep into orbit. The longest drive Brady has hit in com -
petition is 401 yards. His longest in practice is 423 yards. “You try to train your body’s slow-twitch fibers and fast-twitch fibers,” Brady said. “All within 30 seconds of each other. You have to be strong, you have to be powerful and you have to be fast.
“The ultimate goal is you’re fast. So you have to have a core base to be powerful, strong and fast.”
Brady is all business at the gym. Away from it, he’s the VP of Operations for CarePoint Health. I finally got Brady to crack a smile after a workout. I told him about my past as a sports writer, and that I’d researched his athletic past.
Brady was a standout athlete at Columbine High School (Class of 2008). He played quarterback for the Rebels’ defending state championship football team and was a pitcher for the school’s baseball team.
Baseball was Brady’s first love, and he played in college at Galveston (Tex.) College, McCook (Neb.) Community College and the University of Nebras-
ka-Omaha. His collegiate career was interrupted by Tommy John Surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.
Pitchers, Brady says, are a good fit for long drive competition. He compares the mechanics, in particular, the hip actions.
“You’re driving off your back leg and landing on your front leg,” Brady said. “You’re developing force through the ground into your swing — which is no different than when you plant when you’re pitching, and you’re extending off that front leg to get velocity.
“Swinging a baseball bat probably hurts me more than helps me from a golf perspective.”
Justin James is one of the most popular competitors on the Long Drive circuit. He was a minor league pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Durango native Sean Johnson won the World Long Drive tour’s world championship last year. Johnson was a three-sport letter winner at Fountain Valley High in Colorado Springs. He played baseball at Ole Miss, and was drafted as a pitcher by the Chicago Cubs.
It must be noted that Colorado resident Monica Lieving won the women’s World Long Drive championship in 2023. The four-time winner on the WLD Tour holds the circuit’s No. 1 ranking.
Later, at The Swing Bays in Paker, Brady arrived clad in ‘Johnny Fairways’ attire from the golf clothing line owned by his longtime friend Jack Elway, John’s son. His driver only looks like one a regular golfer uses; it’s not.
“The (Cobra Dark Speed LD) head I use is a 6-degree. The lowest you can find at a store probably is like an 8-degree,” he said. “And then I tune it down negative 1.5, so I’m hitting at 4.5 degrees — which is about the loft of a putter. And it’s a 48inch (TPT) shaft, as well.”
At The Swing Bays, Brady focused less on distance, and more on his mechanics —among them the reads on ball speed, club speed and smash factor. The dead lifts in Brady’s workouts are designed to increase his club speed to 140 MPH or higher. He reached the 140 mark several times at the simulator.
(Good golfers love to tell bad golfers — ‘hey, quit trying to kill the ball.’ I tried to kill one at the simulator. It survived, as I posted a club speed of 88.)
long drive hopes
SAM ADAMS
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long drive hopes
Brady first took notice of Long Drive competitions as a teenager, through contact with one of his summer baseball league coaches, Derek Hines.
“I call him one of my mentors — he got me recruited for baseball,” Brady said. “He was pretty modest about everything, and he mentioned he competed in long drive competitions.
“I didn’t really think anything of it. But I flipped on ESPN, and saw the RE/MAX long drive competition. Derek’s on, in the top eight competing for the world title. He was competing with the big dogs in the finals.”
Hines, who placed third in the 2008 World Long Drive championship, passed away last year at age 47. Brady’s long drive swing coach is Lee Cox, who lives in the UK and works online with a number of clients. The Internet and social media, Brady said,
has helped create many relationships within the long drive community. “You’re competing against each other, but it’s a brotherhood — and sisterhood,” Brady said. “You have a lot of support from people in different states. We have forums on Instagram. Tips on workouts, new equipment, camps. It’s pretty collegial. I get a lot of advice from the community.”
Home is not the place for Brady to get away from Long Drive preparations. He has a Garmin simulator, and when the loud music cranks up in the basement, Brady’s wife Talia knows what’s about to take place.
The girl dad to Brynnlee (5) and Monroe (2) starts swinging at golf balls and crunching numbers from the launch monitor. “They watch and definitely get scared,” Brady said. “Brynnlee can get the launch monitor to read every once in a while and gets su -
per excited. She’s only got about 10-20 swings in her and then she gets bored.”
Doesn’t matter if it’s Eminem or AC/DC, the loud music gives Brady the edge he seeks with the driver in his hand. If all his hard work pays off, Brady could be in the field for the WLD Tour’s World Championships, Sept. 24-28 at Bigfoot Turf Farm in LaSalle, Colo. “It’s a full-body adrenaline,” Brady said. “I want it all. You want the juice, anything to give you an extra oomph, you’re going for it.”
Sam Adams is a Denver-based comedian and former journalist. He can be reached at SamAdamsDoesComedy.Com
Does Customer Loyalty Even Matter in Golf?
With courses already crowded and the summer golf crush still to come, the golf industry remains in the midst of a surge of new players and popularity.
And that is why at least one golf industry organization is saying it is time courses and golf businesses start paying more attention to their customers.
The National Golf Foundation last month released the results of a survey that found very few ‘core golfers’ feel their regular courses or golf businesses make them feel recognized.
For women golfers – who currently are the largest growing segment of players entering the game – the responses are even worse. Of all the women respondents to a survey that asked how golf businesses are doing at recognizing their regular customers, a whopping 45 percent of women gave their courses the lowest grade: “I don’t feel any different from non-customers; there’s no real effort to recognize my loyalty.”
Across both genders, a total of 77 percent of ‘core golfers’ gave their courses the same rating or one slightly higher, neutral (“Golf brands/ businesses don’t really know who I am; I feel like just another customer.”)
“The path to this paradox seems gradual but
BY JIM BEBBINGTON
clear,” NGF Chief Researcher David Lorentz wrote. “As golf evolved from a club-centered pastime to a diverse, $100 billion industry, the emphasis naturally shifted toward commercialization with measurable outputs — better equipment, faster greens, lower scores — things that could be marketed, compared and sold. These tangible innovations have successfully expanded business opportunities, and in many respects improved the golfer experience, but they’ve also inadvertently overshadowed the more relational (and perhaps equally vital) dimensions of business and customer success.”
Translated only slightly, Lorentz writes that the golf industry may be popular now, but businesses that fail to make a deeper connection with their customers tend not to do well long-term.
“… people switch allegiances with a swipe, viral trends reshape preferences overnight, and corporate longevity continues to decline,” he wrote. “The power dynamic between brand and consumer has fundamentally shifted, making loyalty harder to earn and easier to lose than ever before.”
Their data indicated only half of golfers could recall any interaction at a course that left them feeling special or valued and one-third said the staff where they play most often don’t know their name.
“The inconvenient truth is that our industry has devoted considerable resources to perfecting the technical experience while often under-investing in the human one,” Lorentz wrote. Colorado golf leaders say the industry is seeking to welcome all players, but long-time golfers who pine for the quiet courses of yesteryear need to adjust to a busy new reality.
“Yes, (new players) play a bit slower sometimes and may struggle on the course, but without them, this game we love will regress to the vanilla product that it used to be,” said Tom Buzzbee, a longtime Colorado teaching professional and retired director of golf at Boulder’s Flatirons Golf Course. “Even the committed players will suffer if (they stop coming) as course improvements will start to slow and conditions will deteriorate as lack of revenue will pull the state of the industry down to pre-pandemic conditions when we were struggling for sure.”
Steven Bartkowski, executive director of the Colorado PGA, said PGA staff who run courses want to provide good service and courses need to have enough staff to do so.
“I see that report and when you have demand like this and you’re this busy (the question is) are the staffs appropriately staffed?” he said. “If you have fewer members you can take a more personal touch.”
