May 2013

coloradoavidgolfer.com

Elevating the Game.

ANNUAL

’S GUIDE BUYER Pros & cons

The Helpful Hundred

on 50+ clubs, balls, tech and more

Broncos Ring of Famer

Karl Mecklenburg’s

REACH Tournament heads a list of 100 Charity Golf Events

MAY 2013 | $3.95

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Cordillera’s Return to Glory

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Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, both the Tom Fazio and Greg Norman designed courses at Red Sky Golf Club have been consistently ranked among Golfweek and Golf Digest’s top courses you can play. Coupled with world-class lodging at Beaver Creek Resort, now is your chance to play at this coveted club.

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theGallery

NEXT UP ON THE #1 TEE: YOU

InsideContents

27

52

11

45

18

48

I n E v e ry I s s u e 8 Forethoughts Gearing Up to Give

By Jon Rizzi 11 Gallery Greg Stafford’s 60-Minute quest, Rounds 4 Research, Ballyneal and Dismal River, and an interview with the late artist James Rizzi.

76 The Games of Golf Spot the Differences Player’s Corner 17 Home Course Todd Creek Golf Club.

18 Lesson Clip Your Chicken Wing.

By Sherry Smith Sidebets 45 Fareways Where the Willis Case golfer goes to eat.

By Gary James

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

72

F e at u r e s 48 Nice Drives The Audi A8L, VW Beetle and the Ford Flex AWD.

By Isaac Bouchard

27

2013 Buyer’s Guide Our intrepid shopper pores over more than 50 products—from drivers to putters, balls, apps, shoes, devices and more—and provides the pros and cons of each. By Ted Johnson

52

Karl Mecklenburg Gives a Read The Broncos legend tackles school-age illiteracy with his REACH Foundation. By Sam Adams

57

The Helpful Hundred A statewide calendar of 100 golf tournaments that benefit the communities in which we live.

72

Cordillera’s Return to Glory A newly minted relationship with Troon reinvigorates this giant among private Colorado golf communities.

By Kim D. McHugh

on the cover Photograph of Karl Mecklenburg taken by Todd Langley at Fox Hollow Golf Course, Lakewood. www.coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Photo by Robert Castellino

Hole #12

Golf Experience We invite you to experience Fossil Trace Golf Club - 18 holes of extraordinary golf set in the foothills of the Rockies. The golf course opened in 2003, 64 million years after the dinosaurs walked it. Fossil Trace guests are treated to a truly unique golf experience; gorgeous views, unparalleled course conditions, challenging greens and a unique, character-laden golf course designed by renowned architect Jim Engh – all with a mountain course feel only a short trip west of the Mile High City.

Golf Club Personalization Fossil Trace Golf Club is dedicated to the advancement of your game by offering complimentary fittings and our expertise in personalized golf clubs; including woods, irons and hybrids using fitting systems from Titleist, PING, Callaway, Nike and Mizuno. In addition to state-of-the-art fitting systems and experienced Professional Staff, our ForeSight GC2 launch monitor technology provides feedback that further ensures that your clubs have been personalized for your game.

Three Tomatoes Steakhouse and Club Join us for breakfast, lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch. Our dining room provides the perfect setting for a memorable dining experience with family, foursome or business associates. Enjoy a steak and a glass of wine on our patio overlooking the majestic Front Range. Our Mesa or Fireside Rooms are perfect for groups and our Ballroom can accommodate large parties for your special event.

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64 million

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Photo by Robert Castellino

The most unique golf experience on the Front Range — celebrating 10 years. Come play!

Hole #13

May 2013 Volume 12, Number 2

publisher

Allen J. Walters editor

Jon Rizzi associate publisher

Chris Phillips art director

Jeremy Cantalamessa editor-at-large

Tom Ferrell

automotive editor

Isaac Bouchard contributors

Sam Adams, Andy Bigford, Tony Dear, Lynn DeBruin, Sue Drinker, Dick Durrance II, Chris Duthie, Amy Freeland, Lois Friedland, Gary James, Barbara Hey, Ted Johnson, Kaye W. Kessler, Jake KubiĂŠ, Todd Langley, Kim D. McHugh, Emily Ritt, Bob Russo, Jerry Walters, Neil Wolkodoff digital and social media manager

Kate Stromberg office and operations manager

Cindy P. Nold projects and special events manager

Vanessa Van Horn intern

Tim Baker p r i n c i pa l s

Ray L. Baker, C. Don Baker, Dick B. Baker Advertising Inquiries: cindy@coloradoavidgolfer.com Editorial Inquiries and letters: jon@coloradoavidgolfer.com Customer Service and Subscriptions: 720-493-1729 Mailing address: 7200 S. Alton Way #B-180, Centennial, CO 80112 FAX: 720-482-0784 Newsstand Information: 720-493-1729

coloradoavidgolfer.com Colorado AvidGolfer (ISSN 1548-4335) is published eight times a year by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by American Web, Inc. Volume 11, Number Eight. 7200 S. Alton Way #B-180, Centennial, CO 80112. Colorado AvidGolfer is available at more than 250 locations, or you Winter order your personal subscription by calling 720-493-1729. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $17.95 per year. Copyright Š 2013 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to Colorado AvidGolfer, 7200 S Alton Way #B-180 Centennial, CO 80112.The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

Forethoughts

Gearing up to give

T

his issue has two themes: getting and giving. And I’m not talking about strokes on the first tee.

The “getting” concerns our Buyer’s Guide (page 27). Contributing Editor Ted Johnson painstakingly researched more than 50 products—from drivers to putters to balls, shoes and apps—and provides succinct pros and cons for each.

I’ve never subscribed to the idea that you could buy a better golf game, but whether you’re a golfer, gardener or gold trader, you’re putting yourself at a competitive disadvantage if you don’t keep up with the latest technology and equipment.

That, of course, could get very expensive, as every golf season brings some hot new club or gadget. Ted will help you answer whether this year’s upgrades are worth your investment.

The “giving” part also requires an investment—of a more communal nature. For nine consecutive years, we’ve devoted significant coverage to charity golf events that support worthwhile causes across the Centennial State. Appropriately enough, this year’s edition hits the century mark with a calendar of events we’re calling the Helpful Hundred (page 57).

These tournaments benefit time-honored causes like Easter Seals, March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year, as well as emerging ones such as There With Care, which provides groceries, meals and all forms of support for families and children facing critical illnesses.

Not all charities are medically related, of course. Take Broncos great and cover subject Karl Mecklenburg’s REACH Foundation, which holds its tournament at Fox Hollow Golf Club in August. Using an incentivebased program to foster a love of reading in Denver-area grade-schoolers, REACH has already involved more than 30,000 students. Much like Golf In Schools—the pioneering collaboration between the Colorado PGA, Colorado Golf Associations and Colorado Open Golf Foundation that has brought the game and its values to more than 20,000 kids in 60 schools— Mecklenburg’s foundation helps impart life lessons upon which future generations can build.

(Speaking of lessons and reading, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that “Lessons Learned from Listening to the Greats” is the subtitle of If You Don’t Believe Me…, Contributing Editor Sam Adams’ must-read first book.

In between signings and promotional appearances, Sam also penned the Mecklenburg profile on page 52. It’s his 17th cover story for us.)

Colorado AvidGolfer proudly supports as many causes as we can with online and print promotion, complimentary magazines and discounted tournament supplies. You can show your support as well by participating in a few events—possibly with those new clubs you saw in our pages.

Besides, there’s an emotional and, yes, a tax advantage to playing golf in the name of charity.

In other words, when you give, you get.—JON RIZZI

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NEWS | NOTES | NAMES

theGallery

photograph C O U R T ESY _ M PH i cO T CO l iGkR P Ahotograph P H C o u rt e s yy o f Va i L V e t e ra n s progra m

BOMBS AWAY: Stafford will need plenty of balls to set a new world record.

60-minute man

0

n f r i day, j u n e 2 8 The Broadmoor’s East Course could very well become the site of a new world record. On that day, Colorado Springs resident Greg Stafford will stand in a two-square-meter teeing area and, wielding a reinforced custom driver with a 7.5 degree loft he swings at 135 mph, will crush a drive towards a green expanse that fans out like a baseball field from home plate. For Stafford, a “home run” needs to travel at least to the 300-yard marker and land within a 157-yard-wide area.

Then he’ll do it again. And again.

And again. His goal: Break the mark for most 300-plus-yard drives hit in one hour of 276. That’s one every 13 seconds. An official from the Guin-

co lo r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

ness Book of World Records in Ireland will bear witness, as will a gallery of up to 200 near the third hole. Sponsors include The Broadmoor and the Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball team. Stafford initially proposed staging the event at the team’s Security Service Field, launching his parabolas from home plate onto Springs Ranch Golf Course well beyond the outfield wall. “I don’t think they wanted to test whether their $1 million JumboTron could withstand a golf ball traveling more than 180 miles per hour,” he says, chuckling.

A genetic engineer by training, the 43-year-old Southern California native hit his first 300-yard drive at age 13. Inspired by the power generated by samurai swordsman, he developed

a program called the Ryu of Driving Distance. By the end of the last century he held three records for 300plus-yard drives: 684 consecutive; 800 consecutive in eight hours; and 1,000 in 12 hours. His one-hour record of 211 was eclipsed and he wants to reclaim it. “I figure if I get off about 400 drives—that’s one every nine seconds—I should be able to do it,” he says softly.

“Plus, I did the 211 at sea level.”

Stafford’s quest is less about ego and more about the Springs Rescue Mission. He’s set up a Website, where individuals can pledge anywhere from 1¢ to $5 per drive, and all proceeds benefit the mission’s work with the homeless and hungry. “My drives,” he says, “really help to save lives.”

Visit drives4lives.com to pledge.

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

11

theGallery

THE MIGHTY DOAK: Dismal River’s new layout.

Changing Plains

TURF BUILDER

How much would you bid for a round at The Club at Flying Horse, Glacier Club, Ironbridge or Pinehurst? Would you cough up a little more if you knew the money would fund research to ensure the playing conditions of

12

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

OEUVRE PAR: One of Rizzi’s many golf pieces.

Art Lesson

The golf world lost an artsy aficionado when internationally renowned artist James Rizzi died in 2011 at the age of 61. His playful, cartoon-like art style distinguished projects as diverse as postage stamps, a Boeing 757, a Japanese train, Volkswagen Beetles and a building—the “Happy Rizzi House” in Braunschweig, Germany. He was the official artist for the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1998 World Cup. During the 1991 U.S. Open, Firestone Country Club invited him to create Strokes of Genius for its clubhouse and he painted the official poster for the Manhattan Golf Classic on Governor’s Island in 2006. Although he and CAG editor Jon Rizzi share a surname, they were only related by a mutual love of golf and art—two subjects they discussed not long before the artist’s death.

What’s the connection between art and golf?

GET ON GLACIER: It just takes a winning bid.

What most people think of as “golf art” is very serene and representational—a watercolor of Amen Corner, a pastel of the seventeenth at Pebble. I appreciate that, but my style is completely different. I’m a city kid and love doing really colorful scenes with a lot of people in them. As an artist, I view the golf course as a place where people enjoy themselves, so my works reflect that. When I’m playing golf, I’m not thinking like an artist; I’m thinking like an athlete. I want to play a hole, not paint it.

How many golf-related works have you done? About a dozen. I based the first, just called Golf, on Dyker Beach in Brooklyn, NY, where I posted my best score, 76.

How are the golf works received? People and critics respond very positively. The most popular item in that genre is a limited edition of 350 3-D prints called Daddy’s Country Club. I gave the original to my father. He never belonged to a country club in his life, so it’s kind of a joke.

Did your dad teach you to play? No. I didn’t play golf until I was 30, even though I went to the University of Florida, which has a great course. I could have taken PE classes with Gary Koch or Andy Bean!

What’s the best part of your game? Chipping and putting. Love the short game.

And the worst? Hitting from fescue. They should power-mower that stuff. It could break your wrists.

What’s your favorite course? Shinnecock Hills.

I had the honor of being a marshal on the sixteenth hole at the ’95 Open.

What you must have in your golf bag? Black sleeves of Titleist 100 Balatas. They don’t make them any more, but I have plenty.

Anything else in the bag? Back in the day, rolling papers. But nothing unusual now.

Do you have any “lucky” items of clothing? My ugly green Greg Norman Shark cap with the sweat ring.

You a Norman fan? No, I just like the logo. coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H S BY Z ach Vart y ( T O P L EF T ) , C O U RT ESY O F G L AC IE R C LU B ( R I G H T ) A N D J oh n Szo k e G all e r y

Winds of change are sweeping across the great Sandhills courses. On this side of the Colorado-Nebraska border, world-renowned Ballyneal Golf Club has softened its hardline “walking only” policy by featuring a limited number of golf carts on its Tom Doak-designed course. “We still believe the game is best enjoyed on foot,” says Head PGA Pro Matt Payne.

While Doak agrees, he allows that “the lack of cart access has made it more difficult to sell memberships to an aging population who may be able to walk 18 holes a day, but are concerned about being able to walk 36. The use of a few carts each day will cause no more damage to the course than the maintenance vehicles which drive over the fairways now.”

Doak has also expressed himself some 175 miles northeast of Ballyneal in the form of a new design at Dismal River Club in Mullen, Neb. The 7,000-yard layout, which opens this season, deftly complements the six-year old Jack Nicklaus 18.

Doak’s front nine meanders links-like through the Sandhills, while the back dances along the river and a valley brimming with vegetation set against mounds known as Big and Little Horseshoe. Although both Ballyneal and Dismal River are private, a call ahead can get you on for about $200, plus the cost of a caddie, finely appointed room and superbly turned food. ballyneal.com; dismalriver.com.

your home course? Rounds 4 Research, an innovative program administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf (the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America), asks courses to donate rounds on which anyone can bid. To date, more than 500 across the country (among them such notables as Bighorn, Reynolds Plantation, PGA West, Indian Creek and Old Memorial) have signed on, including 17 from Colorado. Bids on rounds at Colorado courses benefit the Golf Foundation of Colorado—the charitable arm of the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association—to support the areas of research grants, education programs, scholarships and awareness of golf ’s environmental efforts within the state. The online auctions will take place June 6-16 and August 1-11 at rounds4research.com

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none from the Western Athletic Conference as the team headed into its first WAC Championship April 22-24. Before switching conferences last year, DU had won nine straight Sun Belt

P H O T O G R A P H BY H u lw i c k : C o u rt e s y U n i v e r s i t y o f D e n v e r

Golf by Numbers

3 Colorado courses are now under the management of Arizona-based OB Sports. Joining Colorado National Golf Club in Erie and Fox Hill Country Club in Longmont is Heritage Eagle Bend in Aurora.

34 women’s collegiate teams in the nation were ranked ahead of rookie head coach Lindsay Hulwick’s University of Denver Pioneers, but

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GEORGIA REACH: Hulwick eyes the Nationals.

Conference titles under former coach Sammie Chergo. A strong finish in the NCAA Regionals May 9-11 will qualify the Pios for the NCAA Nationals at the University of Georgia, the school Hulwick left to coach Denver in February.

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100 men and women of the greater Denver area have established the Centennial Club.

Founded on principles similar to those of the Phoenix Thunderbirds—the civic and philanthropic organization behind the PGA Tour’s hugely successful Phoenix Open—the club intends “to promote and support the finest quality professional golf tournament... and have the ultimate goal of acting as the host committee intent on bringing a professional golf tour event to Denver on an annual basis.” Led by Oakwood Homes CEO Pat Hamill, the club’s 14-member Leadership Council, known as the “Fourteeners” will act as ambassadors of the Centennial Club and provide counsel, expertise and resources to the organization, along with approval of new Centennial Club nominees. Cag

Get in the Gallery Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com for more news and notes. Got an item?

Send it to jon@coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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theGallery

Trevino will always be the man. Trevino was the people’s golfer.

What’s the worst behavior you’ve ever seen on a golf course? There was a two-and-a-halfhole backup at a public course caused by an elderly gentleman who was having a horrific round. When I very diplomatically asked if my group could play through, he attacked me—ripped my shirt, hit me with his club!

I didn’t fight back; that’d be like striking a child. He got kicked off, but my friends will never let me live it down.

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COURSES | LESSONS | GEAR

player’sCorner

p h o t o g r a p h C O U RT E S Y O F TO D D C R E E K GO L F C LU B

In Todd They Trust A club sheds its Heritage.

T

he 2007 opening of Heritage Todd Creek Golf Club as the anchor of a Lennar Homes development at Highway 7 and Yosemite brought the number of Colorado courses with the Heritage prefix to three. The others: Lennar’s Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora and the City of Westminster’s Heritage Golf Course at Westmoor.

Three was most certainly a crowd.

“We would get players who thought they’d made a 2:15 tee time with us but we had no record of it because they’d made it at Westmoor,” says General Manager Robert DeVera, who has been at Todd Creek since day one.

The confusion ends now. Borders Golf, which purchased the facility from Lennar last July, has rechristened the facility Todd Creek Golf Club. With the change comes a crisp new logo, URL, pricing structure and, above all,

co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

a commitment to the “country club for a day” experience. “We’re all about trying to attract golfers to the area and create loyalty, says DeVera, who is also one of the partners in Borders. “We’re creating a strong identity.”

They have the facility to do it. The 33,000-square-foot clubhouse can accommodate everything from tournaments, banquets, neighborhood meetings, luncheons, dinners and après-golf cocktails. PGA Head Professional Danny Hughes runs the full-service golf shop and provides instruction on the club’s ample practice area.

Players can put their skills to good use on the Arthur Hills design that tips out at 7,435 yards, and plays a stout 6,950 from the black tees, the length at which teams in this month’s CGA Senior Four-Ball Championship will compete.

They’ll get all they can handle from a deceptively tricky layout that’s for-

NEW NAME, SAME GAME: Todd Creek Golf Club’s par-4 12th.

giving off the tee but far less so as you head into the heavily protected greens, which ripple, roll and average more than 11,000-square feet. Doglegs abound. Fairway bunkers appear randomly, their sly placement dictating strategy and decision-making.

The course’s best view comes on the 248-yard, par-three 11th, with the Rockies arising from behind the green.

Water factors into six holes, including the 198-yard 17th with its tough peninsula green and the 530-yard finisher, where Smith Reservoir borders the entire left edge of the fairway and a tight, bunker-and-rough-lined neck of fairway leads to the green.

The price of a round at Todd Creek includes cart, GPS, practice balls and plenty of personal attention. The name and ownership may have changed, but the club’s heritage of service and quality remains. toddcreekgolfclub.com; 720230-4704. Cag May 2013 | Colorado AvidGolfer

17

player’sCorner

LESSON

Helping Hands Getting them to work together can put your swing on plane. By Sherry Smith

T

he golf swing is comprised of our hands working together. Oftentimes, golfers are more dominating with one or the other and the results are the hands working against each other.

In looking at these photos, try to copy the good positions with your arms, initially without using a golf club, and looking in a mirror. Then see if you can achieve the same movement with the club in your hands. If you are too dominant with your right side, try swinging only with your left hand first by griping the clubhead, then turning it around and putting your left hand on the grip. Repeating this should help build up your golf muscles on your nondominant side.

(a) incorrect

Backswing

If you “lift” the club with your arms (a), the result is less rotation of your body and more use of your right hand. This can produce many problems from the downswing to the follow-through.

The right elbow can stay straighter initially if you rotate your body (b), and then fold down with the wrist hinge as if you were holding a tray. The swing plane is more consistent if you can keep your right arm in front of your chest.

Follow-through

If the right hand comes up under the left hand (c) to produce the dreaded “chicken wing,” the result is a breakdown of the left wrist and the lifting or scooping of the golf ball. This does not allow the club to lift the ball properly, and affects both distance and direction.

Your left arm should stay straight through impact (d), but then fold in and turn down, similar to the right elbow in the backswing. Cag

(c) incorrect

(b) correct

(d) correct

Class A PGA and LPGA Teaching Professional Sherry Smith (sherrysmithgolf.com) currently teaches at Valley Country Club in Centennial. Six times Golf Digest has named her one of the Best Teachers in Colorado. Contact her at sherry@sherrysmithgolf.com.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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Visit coloradoavidgolfer.com for more details!

PLAY COLORADO’S

BEST COURSES!

®

ALL PRICES INCLUDE A CART

Golf Courses

Rates starting at

Available Tee Times

Weekend Play

# of Rounds

Antler Creek, Falcon

$28

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

3

The Bridges, Montrose

$53

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

2

Broadlands, Broomfield

$32

Monday-Thursday after 12pm

Broken Tee, Englewood NEW

$32

Monday-Friday after 12pm

Yes

Shoulders: 3 Peak: 2

Buffalo Run, Commerce City

$39

Monday-Thursday anytime, Fri-Sun after 2pm

Yes

3

Cedaredge Golf Club, Cedaredge

$35

Any day, anytime

Yes

2

Colorado National, Erie EXCLUSIVE

$40

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

CommonGround, Aurora* EXCLUSIVE

$40

Shoulder: Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm Peak: Mon-Thur anytime

Yes

3

Deer Creek, Littleton

$40

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

2

Eagle Trace, Broomfield

$26/$34

Mon-Thur after 12pm, Fri-Sun after 2pm

Yes

2

Family Sports Center, Centennial*

$19/$21

Any day, anytime

Yes

Unlimited

Fitzsimons, Aurora EXCLUSIVE

$26/$29

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun & holidays after 1pm

Yes

3

Foothills, Denver

$33/$46

Any day after 1pm

Yes

3

Fossil Trace, Golden EXCLUSIVE

$45

Shoulders: Mon-Thur after 1pm Peak: Mon-Thur before 7am, after 2pm

Fox Hollow, Lakewood

$44

Mon-Thur after 1pm, Fri-Sun & holidays after 2pm

Yes

Shoulders: Unlimited Peak: 3

Green Valley Ranch, Denver EXCLUSIVE

$35

Mon-Thur before 9am, after 1pm, Fri-Sun after 2pm

Yes

3

Heritage at Westmoor, Westminster

$40

Monday-Thursday after 12pm

Heritage Eagle Bend, Aurora

$34/$40

Any day after 12pm

Yes

2

Heritage Todd Creek, Thornton

$40

Mon-Thur after 11am, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Highland Meadows, Windsor NEW

$34

Mon-Thurs after 12pm, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Highlands Ranch Golf Club, Highlands Ranch

$43/$53

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Shoulders: 2 Peak: 1

The Homestead, Lakewood

$34

Mon-Thur after 1pm, Fri-Sun holidays after 2pm

Yes

Shoulders: Unlimited Peak: 3

The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, Wesminster NEW

$34

Mon-Thur after 12pm, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

Indian Tree, Arvada

$31

Any day after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

The Inverness, Englewood EXCLUSIVE

$56

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Kings Deer, Monument EXCLUSIVE

$32

Monday-Thursday after 11am

2

Legacy Ridge, Westminster

$45

Mon-Thur after 12pm

Unlimited

The Links, Highlands Ranch

$31/$36

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Littleton Golf and Tennis Club, Littleton

$27$29

Anyday after 1pm

Yes

Unlimited

Lone Tree Golf Club, Lone Tree EXCLUSIVE

$44

Monday-Thursday after 1pm

3

Shoulders: Unlimited Peak: 1

Unlimited

Shoulders: Unlimited Peak: 2

courses with weekend play

new courses

rs e be a em me el t m co nt s! or be lie r! ation sp lly e c as ica d C b 185 lo lf P at Go utom re emthan r M re a efe ub t mo Pr Cl save a

courses

e& Din

54 4 46 13

courses with EXCLUSIVE Golf Passport offers

Golf Courses

Rates starting at

Available Tee Times

Weekend Play

# of Rounds

Meadows, Littleton

$37/$49

Any day after 1pm

Yes

3

Meadow Hills, Aurora EXCLUSIVE

$31/$35

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun & holidays after 1pm

Yes

3

Murphy Creek, Aurora EXCLUSIVE

$34/$41

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun & holidays after 1pm

Yes

3

Omni Interlocken, Broomfield EXCLUSIVE

$55

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri before 12pm, Sat-Sun after 12pm

Yes

3

Pine Creek, Colorado Springs

$39/$44

Any day after 12pm

Yes

9

Plum Creek, Castle Rock

$40

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 1pm

Yes

2

The Ridge at Castle Pines, Castle Rock EXCLUSIVE

$50

Monday-Thursday anytime Fri- Sun after 1pm

Yes

3

Saddle Rock, Aurora EXCLUSIVE

$36/$43

Mon-Fri after 11am, Sat-Sun & holidays after 1pm

Yes

3

South Suburban Par 3, Centennial*

$9

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Sumo Golf Village, Florence NEW

$25

Any day after 12pm

Yes

2

Thorncreek, Thornton

$28

Monday-Thursday after 10am

Breckenridge Golf Club, Breckenridge*

$99

Sun-Thur anytime, Sundays only Peak season

Yes

2

Devil's Thumb, Delta

$35

Any day, anytime

Yes

3

Eagle Ranch, Eagle

$35

Any day after 11am

Yes

2

Eagle Vail, Avon

$55

Any day after 12pm

Yes

2

Golf Granby Ranch, Granby

$50

Any day after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Grand Elk, Granby

$32/$37

Anyday after 12pm

Yes

3

Keystone Ranch, Keystone

$65

Any day, anytime

Yes

Unlimited

Lakota Canyon, New Castle

$65

Mon-Thur anytime, Fri-Sun after 11am

Yes

3

Pole Creek, Tabernash

$45

Monday-Thursday after 12pm

The Raven at Three Peaks, Silverthorne

$55

Sun-Thur after 12pm, Fri-Sat after 2pm

Yes

Unlimited

Redlands Mesa, Grand Junction

$63

Any day, anytime

Yes

Shoulders: 1 Peak: 2

The River Course at Keystone, Keystone

$75

Any day after 11am

Yes

Unlimited

Vail Golf Club, Vail

$50

Monday-Thursday and Sunday after 1pm

Yes

3

3

Mountain Golf Courses*

3

* CommonGround offer: Must be CGA, CWGA or Golf Passport Plus member to get rate * Family Sports: 9 Hole Golf Course * South Suburban: Par 3 - Cart not included * Breckenridge offer: Open - 6/30 $99 (27 Holes); 7/1-8/31 $99 (18 Holes, Sundays Only); 9/1-Close $99 (27 Holes) * Shoulder and Peak seasons may vary

G o t o C o l o ra d o Av i d Go lfe r. co m f o r c o mp l e te d e ta i l s .

2013 Member Privileges. All rates include a cart. Visit www.coloradoavidgolfer.com for complete details regarding rates, available tee times, number of rounds and reservation policy. Tee time requests are on a space available basis to Golf Passport members and participating courses’ rain check policies will apply. The golf offers are good from January 1, 2013 – December, 31 2013, excluding holidays, special events, tournaments or closure to environmental or economic conditions. Mountain seasons may vary slightly. The Golf Passport is limited to one per person and is non-transferable. Prices do not include sales tax.

Some courses may require a credit card to secure a tee time prior to play. If a tee time is cancelled, the golf course may charge for its discounted fee. Colorado AvidGolfer reserves the right to make reasonable modifications to the Golf Passport, effective upon notice by e-mail or first class mail to the Golf Passport member. A Golf Passport member may reject any such modification by responding in writing to Colorado AvidGolfer and returning the Golf Passport within ten (10) days. The Golf Passport member will receive a prorated refund. The Golf Passport member agrees that he or she is not entitled to any additional compensation. Colorado AvidGolfer disclaims all liability for damage or loss or property or injury to any person occurring while using the Golf Passport. The subscription expires with the Winter 2013 issue. One subscription per household. If ordered online, please allow up to 10 days for delivery of your Golf Passport.

FIND

Your

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOME...

There is more then one reason to call Colorado National your home course…not only is it the exclusive golf course for the University of Colorado Men’s & Women’s golf teams, but fun loving recreational golfers, tournament planners and everyone in between is calling it “home” as well. The 7,676 yard, Jay Morrish designed gem is the headliner, with it’s serpentine fairways, meticulously maintained agronomic standards and jaw dropping views of snow capped mountains. Before or after golf, work on your game at “the National’s” complete practice facility or take in delectable fare in the casual yet elegant clubhouse that is a gathering spot for the community. So whether you are looking to join the club as a member, book a tee time for your weekly game, or your next corporate gathering or charitable event, Colorado National is you destination and is your home course.

What’s better than membership with a view!

Call now for more information on how to become a member! coloradonationalgolfclub.com • 303.926.1723

PLAY & STAY with us and watch your drives soar record distance.

Relax in luxurious accommodations for two at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and then take in 18 holes of golf each at the Beaver Creek Golf Club.

Rates starting at:

$343 per night

May 10 - June 14, 2013

$457 per night

June 15 - Sept. 15, 2013

For reservation information, please visit our website at www.parkhyattbeavercreek.com or call 1-970-827-6636 Refer to code: PLAY13

Offer valid 5/10/13 to 9/15/13 at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa. Opening and Closing dates are weather permitting. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made at least 7 days in advance. Tee times must be set up in advance by contacting our Concierge at 1-970-827-6610. Package includes lodging for two, 2 rounds of golf including cart per person. Rate shown is based upon double occupancy, per room, per night, for standard room accommodations. Additional charges apply to room-type upgrades.

Additional guests may be subject to additional hotel charges. Guest is responsible for all charges not included in package. No refunds for any unused portion of package.

Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this program at any time without notice. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® encompasses hotels managed, franchised or leased by subsidiaries and affiliates of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The trademarks Hyatt®, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites®, Hyatt Gold Passport®, and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2013 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

By Ted Johnson

2013 Buyer’s Guide Yeah, we know…

A poor workman always blames his tools. It’s the Indian, not the arrow.

And bad shots are never the club’s fault.

So if you can’t buy a golf game, why do we always seem more willing to shell out for the latest golf equipment than for lessons on how best to use it? Because the latest gear holds the promise of more yards, better accuracy, lower scores. Above all, however, new equipment can impart a sense of confidence to produce these results.

What are this year’s trends? Self-customization of drivers and fairway woods, for one. You can adjust the loft and lie yourself to fit your game.

After being marginalized by the hybrid, fairway woods are back, producing driver-like distances, thanks to technology that makes faces hotter than ever. And both short and long irons are also producing increased ball speed and a crisper feel. Putters are trending towards the high-MOI of the mallet over blade, while your choice in balls needs to match your swing speed.

The following pages present more than 50 products, from drivers to putters to balls, apps, aids and devices. Happy shopping!

co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

27

DRIVERS

Nike VR_S Covert Tour

$400

Callaway RAZR Fit Xtreme

$400

Titleist 913D2

$400

Mizuno JPX-825

$300

Hot Stuff: Dual adjustability WHY: Cavity-back design for ultimate stability But: Not enough adjust for slice

Hot Stuff: Designed for workability WHY: Second-gen adjustable driver with hot, thin face for more distance But: For shapers off tee

Hot Stuff: High-tech game improver WHY: Triangular-shaped head easy to align, forgiving But: Distance secondary Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

$400

Callaway X Hot Pro

$300

Ping G25

$350

Tour Edge Exotics XCG6

$350

Hot Stuff: Lightweight but stable WHY: One way to get faster clubhead speed = more distance But: Requires fluid, not jerky, transition at top of swing

Hot Stuff: Many adjustable settings WHY: As loft increases, so does size of head & closed face angle But: Too many settings?

28

TaylorMade Rocketballz

Hot Stuff: Bulge-and-roll adjustability WHY: Each adjustment changes face shape to induce more control But: For better players

Hot Stuff: Half-degree adjustability WHY: Larger head very forgiving, counterbalanced shaft for faster speed But: No fix for slice

Hot Stuff: Sold as game improvement: Not WHY: Sharp, crisp contact v hot face for great disance & workability But: None; best bang for $ coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

FAIRWAY METALS

Adams Super S

$200

Adams Idea Tech V4

$200

Tour Edge Exotics XCG-5*

$300

Cobra AMP Cell

$275

Hot Stuff: Dual slot technology = very hot face WHY: Face flex almost = to ti drivers; high, long shots off tight lies But: Large head can intimidate on tight lies

Hot Stuff: Dual slot technology = very hot face WHY: Compact design in lofts of 17, 19, 22, 25, 28, 32 But: None. Best hybrid avail.

Hot Stuff: High-level of adjustability: face & loft WHY: Fine-tune distance gaps; SmartPad sole squares up face But: Colorful options too much?

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

$280

Ping Anser

$250

Callaway RAZR X Fit Xtreme

$270

Cleveland CG Black

$200

Hot Stuff: Heat-treated thin face for more boom WHY: Better golfers love its distance; No. 1 fairway wood on Tour But: 43.5 inches not easy for all

Hot Stuff: Nine adjustments for fine-tuned fit WHY: Compact stainless head + back-loaded CG means confidence But: More consistent than long

Hot Stuff: Braxed titanium face, tungsten sole WHY: This 2012 model remains great performer with optimum feel But: Note the price

30

TaylorMade RocketBallz Stage 2 Tour

Hot Stuff: Small head, adjustability, great feel WHY: Hot model for those who consider every par-5 a must-go But: Not as forgiving as others

Hot Stuff: Most forgiving fairway wood on market WHY: Lightweight design for distance; low-CG for high ball flight But: Starts with 16-degrees coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

THE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB PACKAGE The Ultimate Las Vegas Golf Experience Starting at $225 per player.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Designed Spanish Trail Country Club Lakes #4

Your chance to be a

MEMBER FOR A DAY at two of Vegas’ premier

GOLF COUNTRY CLUBS.

Packages include: 18 Holes at Silverstone Golf Club and 18 Holes at Spanish Trail Country Club. 2 Sleeves of Titleist ProV1 Balls. Bag Tag. Rental Clubs. Locker.

STAY AND PLAY PACKAGES The perfect compliment to your Vegas Country Club experience! Let Par4’s golf vacation concierge customize a stay and play package just for you. Deluxe accommodations at top Las Vegas hotels are available at great rates.

Terms and Conditions: First round must be played at Silverstone Golf Club where you will receive Titleist ProV1 Balls, a bag tag and access to a locker for the day. Promotional offer is not valid with any additional offers, coupons or promotions. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be traded for other products or services. Management reserves the right to end this promotion at anytime.

Robert Cupp Designed Silverstone Golf Club Mountain #6

Reserve Yours Today!

Call (702) 210-6101

Email

concierge@ par4golfmanagement.com

irons

Mizuno MP-64

$1,000

Hot Stuff: Forgiveness in softest-feeling blade WHY: You’ll get addicted to feeling of on-center butteriness But: Long irons a challenge to get high trajectory

Cobra AMP Cell

$700

Hot Stuff: Two-part face in 4-7, 8-PW in steel WHY: Long irons larger but lightweight for distance; 8-PW compact & soft But: Different size step-downs

Mizuno JPX-825

$700

Hot Stuff: Middle-handicapper’s dream set WHY: Right combo of tech & design yielding feel, forgiveness & distance But: A set to last you a decade

Callaway X Hot Pro

$800

Hot Stuff: Flexible face lower for consistency WHY: Lighter, w/right combo of offset, looks, grooves, hotness = 1 less club But: Face lofts very strong

32

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

Callaway X Forged

$1,000

Adams Idea CMB

$1,000

Hot Stuff: Eye-catching design, flawless milling WHY: Player irons designed for consistency across clubface But: Control & feel; not distance

Hot Stuff: High forgiveness, power in player club WHY: Tungsten weighted sole + thin face = “Oh My” distance But: More high-performance than game-improvement

Adams Idea Pro a12

$600

Hot Stuff: Compact, sleek player’s iron WHY: More forgiveness in longer irons, velvet feel on on-center hits = smiles But: For aspiring, not recreatonal

TaylorMade RocketBladez Max

$1,300

Hot Stuff: Polymer-back filled face for Super D WHY: Game-improvement in small-head design but easy-to-hit style But: Paying for the tech, max coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Healthy Legs

for the performance of your life The Albert Vein Institute is proud to be Colorado’s First Choice in Vein Care.

Advanced technology and unparalleled expertise ensure that your vein issues will be addressed with minimally invasive procedures. Every facet of your vein care takes place at our state of the art medical facilities. Most major insu insurances are accepted and there is no hospitalization required.

James D. Albert, M.D., RPVI is Board Certified in Cardiothoracic Surgery & Board Certified in Phlebology.

www.albertvein.com

Call today for your free consultation

Colorado Springs 719.550.VEIN (8346) | Denver 303.797.VEIN (8346)

WEDGES

Nike VR Pro DS Forged

$90

Hot Stuff: X3X grooves & dual grind sole WHY: Hood it or open it up, it looks good and spin is just great But: More fitting info needed

Ping Gorge

$130

Cleveland 588 RTX

$130

Hot Stuff: Industrial grunge look w/ deep grooves WHY: Ping has always been great about finding right fit; essential for scoring But: Military gray can wear you out

Hot Stuff: Grooves 16% larger for more friction WHY: Milled lines between grooves adds overall friction for more spin But: Same sole in all models

34

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

Miura New Wedge

$235

Fourteen RM-12

$185

Titleist Vokey Design SM4

$130

Hot Stuff: Famous forged maker turns to wedges WHY: So retro, but oh so soft, precise and immaculate. Softness off the scale But: They are collectors items

Hot Stuff: Trapezoidal grooves 15% larger WHY: Larger grooves = more friction; rounded sole = more versatility But: Can be hard to find

Hot Stuff: Larger, deeper grooves in Bob V heads WHY: If limited to only one wedge, the default model for most pros But: Lots of fitting for optimal performance

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Are You Over 40 with Frustrating Dental Problems?

Total Dental Solutions in one convenient location.

If you’re suffering from:

Charles S Barotz, DDS

Providing the FDA-cleared LANAP® Gum Treatment.

Bad Breath

Drop Dead Gorgeous Dentures.

Bleeding Gums

See your smile, before you invest.

Loose, Broken, Missing or Ugly Teeth

Advanced Dental Implants: Comfortable, Natural Feel!

Loose or Poor-Fitting Dentures

Put your Dental Care in the hands of a respected dentist, author and lecturer without being referred from specialist to specialist!

Call Dr. Barotz today to make your appointment: Valet parking for our patients

LANAP® Laser Gum Treatment: Zap away gum disease with no cutting or stitches!

Now Accepting New Patients!

150 CREDIT

$

If you have not visited the dentist within 6 months, reference promo code: SMILE to receive $150 off dental treatment.

303 16th Street Mall, Suite 250 Denver, CO 80202

303-625-9858 www.BarotzDental.com

Sedation Dentistry: Wake up with your dentistry done!

PUTTERS

Ping Scottsdale TR

$150

Titleist Cameron Select Newport

$350

TaylorMade Ghost Spider S

$180

Bettinardi BB1

$300

Hot Stuff: Aluminum face grooves vary in depth WHY: Great classic; now off-center hits maintain speed due to groove depth But: Sound (feel) varies on face

Hot Stuff: Deep milling in face induces velvet feel WHY: Adjustable weights fine-tune weighting for luxurious look and feel But: Priced to match look

Hot Stuff: Perhaps most stable mallet on market WHY: Steel frame, alumninum center create boxcar effect. New paint job But: Looks huge in your bag

Hot Stuff: Mesmerizing jewel-milled face=ideal feel WHY: Sleek, lower profile and soft, soft feel for ultimate high performance But: Easily nicked

36

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

Yes i4-Tech

$180

Odyssey Versa Series

$170

Ping Scottsdale TR

$180

Bobby Grace Stainless 6 Diamond

$825

Hot Stuff: Half-oval grooves induce skidless roll WHY: Grooves angled 20 degrees, plastic backing for softer feel But: Finish can be a little garish

Hot Stuff: Alignment aid matches model to stroke WHY: Increased stabiliy, new insert for softer feel produce consistent strokes But: Some feel sound too muted

Hot Stuff: Varying groove depth in face insert WHY: Middle hits are softer, off-center hits harder for consistent speed on all But: Middle hits can seem dead

Hot Stuff: Soft feel, easiy aligned blade WHY: Heavy (360g) head custom milled by Bobby to your specs But: Price is not a typo coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

balls

Bridgestone B330S

$43

Bridgestone E5

$27

Hot Stuff: Same dimple pattern as Hex Black WHY: Softer core matches better with average swing speeds But: Perhaps best Callaway value

Hot Stuff: Large gradient score goes soft to firm WHY: Avg. swing speeds get high ball flight off tee & high spin on wedges.

But: Amazing ball for the money

Titleist NXT Tour

Nike Vapor Black

$25

Callaway HEX Black Tour

$46

Hot Stuff: 5-piece ball, different core consistencies WHY: Cuts through the air for added distance but with no loss of spin But: Putts can feel a little clicky

Callaway Hex Chrome

$36

$32

Hot Stuff: New dual core increases driver speed WHY: Ionomer-blend means more control on wedges, putts.

But: Perhaps best Titleist value

Hot Stuff: Dual-dimple pattern for efficiency WHY: Top performer for high swing speeds, more durable than Pro V1 But: Slow swing speeds? 330-RX

Hot Stuff: Reformulated core for greater distance WHY: Polymer mantle under cover cuts down on mis-hits for straighter shots But: Hard but long

Ogio Aquatech

EyeLine Golf Ball of Steel

Hot Stuff: WHY: Ogio gets the issue of a cart bag being your den away from your den But: For the serious cart rider

BAGS

$200

Sun Mountain Zero G

Hot Stuff: 8-pocket carry bag with back strap WHY: Not the lightest, just more comfortable; hugs hips, not shoulders But: For the serious walker

38

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

$225

Srixon Z-Star

$45

Srixon Q-Star

$25

Dixon Fire

$60

Hot Stuff: Unique gradient core, soft to firm WHY: SL designed for average swing speeds; thinnest cover = +spin But: Some think it feels too hard

Hot Stuff: 2-piece ball with large gradiant core WHY: Designed for 10-or higher handicaps, balances distance and spin But: Good, not great, wedge spin

Hot Stuff: “Green-friendly” ball has no heavy metal WHY: Ball was designed to be easily recycled; new cover feels good But: Pricey but decent.

$30/3

Hot Stuff: Putting ball that’s 5x greater in weight WHY: Never leave a putt short again; only way to move ball is accelerate But: They’re heavy

Sun Mountain Journey

$200

Hot Stuff: Two-lbs lighter golf travel bag WHY: Makes transporting golf bags so much easier in airports But: Cheaper than older models

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

SANTA FE’S PLAYGROUND S T A Y & P L A Y

124

$

per person

PACKAGE InCludEs OnE rOund Of GOlf PEr PErsOn (based on double occupancy, Sunday through Thursday)

395 spectacular rooms • Indoor/Outdoor Pools • full service spa • Vegas style Gaming • 27 Hole Golf Course • 7 restaurants • native American Art

B U F FA L O T H U N D E R R E S O R T . C O M

•

877-THUNDER

ACCESSORIES

$180

Maui Jim Hot Sands

Hot Stuff: Rimless, lightweight sunglasses WHY: Cool looking, feel like air and offer very little leakage But: Eyewear is not cheap

PSP Golf The Little One

Adidas Crossflex golf shoe

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

$60

BiteTech ArmourBite* CamCaddy CamCaddy*

$38

Hot Stuff: Smartphone stabilizer for video review WHY: Holds your Smartphone (or video cam) for use on range But: You could’ve thought of that

$100

Hot Stuff: Synthetic, lightweight, comfort, stability WHY: Waterproof in a tennis shoe upper with soft, secure wide sole.

But: OK, Sergio G. wears them

40

Hot Stuff: Padded fingers reduce grip pressure WHY: Forces gripping club lightly; reduces tension in arms But: You could’ve thought of that

$90

Hot Stuff: Short iron with head barely larger than a ball.

WHY: Fosters focus on hitting sweet spot every time, confidence you can hit any club But: Hosel hitters might have issues

$25

LeviTee Golf glove

Hot Stuff: Mouthpiece that relieves jaw tension WHY: You laugh? Fighting tension is key to staying stree-free on course But: Hunter Mahan uses it

Oakley CarbonPro golf shoe

$200

Hot Stuff: Advanced design in waterproof full-grain leather WHY: Light, flexible with shock absorption & foot stability; keeps foot on ground But: Faux leather Cipher 2 is $50 less

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

Bold&

B

d &

BasiC your next PurCHASe oF $100 or More

Limit one coupon per customer. Minimum purchase of $100 before sales tax. Total amount of coupon must be redeemed at one time. Cannot be combined with any other offers, coupons or used for previously purchased merchandise.

Coupon valid on in-store purchases only. Not redeemable for cash, gift cards or store credit. No reproductions or rain checks accepted. Returns or exchanges where an Advantage Club Golf Reward Certificate or other discount was applied may result in an adjusted refund amount. Excludes Under Armour, PING, Titleist, Mizuno, FootJoy DryJoys Tour and FootJoy XPS-1, adizero Tour and adizero Sport, Nike Golf TW13, electronics, grips and shafts, select new release Callaway Golf, Cleveland, Odyssey, Scotty Cameron, Cobra, TaylorMade, Nike Golf, ecco and FootJoy merchandise. Some additional exclusions may apply. See store for details. Valid through 5/31/13.

P00013521

tAKe

$20OFF

VAlid tHrougH 5/31/13

THE YEAR IRON OF THE

Every year there is a product or category that stands out as a must buy. This year, it is the irons. They look like irons, they feel like irons, but they fly like metalwoods.

Today’s irons are designed to carry farther and land softer. It may say 7, but chances are it flies as far as your old 6, and lands like an 8. Buy new irons this year and you will have at least a one club advantage over those that don’t.

Nike VR_S Covert Steel Irons $699.99

Callaway X Hot Steel Irons $699.99

TaylorMade RocketBladez Steel Irons $799.99

PING G25 Steel Irons $699.00

Titleist AP1 712 Steel Irons $799.99

A BETTER GAME, AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

VISIT GOlFGAlAxY.cOM or call 1.800.287.9060.

BE IN THE KNOW Wherever you go

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FOOD | CARS

sideBets

PHOTOGRAPH C o u rt esy o f Va i L V e t e r a n s p r o g r a m

Fareways

DRIPPINGLY DELICIOUS: Cafe | Bar’s bison burger.

BELLISIMO: Parisi’s housemade tagliatelle al ragù.

Where There’s a Willis… …there’s a great Case to be made for dining in West Highlands.

By Gary James

T

his Colorado native always feels better after playing a round at Willis Case Golf Course.

Even though my golf game sucks canal water, the course’s humble, mid-century muni vibe makes me feel like I’m starring in Caddyshack 3. Plus I can hit any number of restaurant options in a north Denver neighborhood that’s high on the Front Range’s cool-o-meter.

PARISI

Because its delicatessen was the first place in Denver that I could find castelvetrano olives (buttery, bright green orbs of deliciousness), Parisi has always held a special place in co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

my heart, stomach and other emotion-friendly organs. A recently procured liquor license means the deli has been downsized for a handsome bar area. But the food function is still wonderful—casual counter service, and deftly presented entrees delivered to your cloth-napkin-fancy table. The pollo al mattone—herbed chicken roasted under a brick Tuscan-style—is mighty tasty, but try the polpettore, a succulent, savory mound of seasoned meatloaf baked in a crunchy crust of bacon (cue Homer Simpson drooling sound). That liquor license is put to good use, with lots of specialty cocktails and under-the-radar Italian wines; I had a glass (okay, two) of Neprica, from the May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

45

Oh, Billy, Billy, Billy: The variety of tacos and cozy cantina ambience make Billy’s Inn a neighborhood favorite.

BILLY’S INN

DJ’S CAFE

This small breakfast/brunch/lunch joint (the 75th person in the place would be the fire marshal) has been feted in all the local media for its six kinds of eggs Benedict, and justifiably so—they’re all tethered by a lemony hollandaise sauce made by chef and coowner Devin Stallings that really pops. The New York Benedict is just like the classic, only with corned beef substituted for Canadian bacon; the New Mexican Benedict, with chorizo patties, fire-roasted poblanos and cheddar polenta, is ridiculously tasty.

The lunch menu sports a solid Cobb salad and array of sandwiches, from popular items (such as French dip and turkey avocado) to more ethnic selections. I recommend the

Billy’s has been around 80 years, and the current neighborhood bar configuration is a winner. There’s terrific Happy Hour food—margaritas, wings and nachos all day Monday and 3-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The green chile (thickened with masa) and the big burgers rate highly as well. But tacos are the go-to move. Order a la carte—I had the grilled mahi, baja crispy fish and roasted pork tacos and felt like the smartest guy in the room. If you’re recovering from a bad round of golf, the “Tequila Club” provides solace. Visit BillysInnTequilaClub.com, start your profile, and the Inn will track your consumption of blanco, reposado and anejo categories.

The offer even came with free coaching from my waitress: “You don’t have to do them all in one visit.” Try 35 and you get a hat; try 65 and you get a t-shirt. Try all 135 and you make the wall and probably a referral to a 12step program. Me, I started the fresh-squeezed lemonPOACHED PERFECTION: One of ade club. 4403 Lowell Blvd.

DJ’s six kinds of eggs Benedict.

303.455.9733; billysinn.com

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

PHOTOGRAPH S C O U RT E S Y O F B I L LY ’ S INN ( TOP ) AN D D J ’ S C A F E

province of Puglia, in the heel of the boot.

The deli still delivers with gelato and espresso, freezer-ready meals or, on 24-hour notice, any meats and cheeses to order. Buono! 4401 Tennyson St. 303.561-0234; parisidenver.com.

Cubano and muffaletta, the latter served on a fresh roll with meats, cheeses and a tangy olive tapenade. Wash it down with a Boylan’s black cherry soda (made with cane sugar) and you’ll be doing a Cajun two-step out the door. A benign thought: if you have a thing for redheads, get seated in Elizabeth’s section and try not to stammer while ordering. 3838 Tennyson St. 303-482-1841; djscafe.biz

crispy, tender and juicy, and come with a choice of a dozen sauces made from scratch daily. One of them—the spicy peanut—tops the outstanding G.W. Carver Peanut Sandwich, a charbroiled chicken breast also dripping with Asian slaw and wasbi mayo on ciabatta. Besides other sandwiches, burgers and salads, there are vegetarian and vegan options (the “seitan wings” sounded more Sabbath than Dead to me, though I’m sure these “wheat meat” friends of the devil would be friends of mine).

Fire on the Mountain gets bonus points for its comfy patio, thoughtful craft beer selection and for being the first certified green restaurant in the Highlands area, composting, recycling and producing biodiesel fuel from the fryer oil. Who knew carbon neutrality could taste so good?

3801 W. 32nd Ave. 303-480-9464; fotmdenver.com Cag

PHOTOGRAPH C O U RT E S Y O F F IR E ON TH E MO U NTAIN

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

The wing nuts at Fire on The Mountain should bag the Grateful Dead reference and instead associate with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” since everything about their all-natural chicken is free (hormone-free, antibiotic-free, cage-free, free-range) except the price. The neverfrozen fowl forelimbs brown up in transfat free oil and are slightly smaller than the norm, but they’re top-shelf—hot and

GRATEFUL SPREAD: Wings at Fire On The Mountain

Gary James is a Boulder-based writer specializing in food and music.

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PHOTOGRAPH C O U RT E S Y O F AU D I

Three for the Road Audi, VW and Ford shift into high gear.

By Isaac Bouchard

2013 Audi A8L

Price as tested: $106,545 Long a credible rival to the more established German luxury liners, Audi’s flagship sedan may finally have their complete measure, thanks to raft of revisions for 2013.

And to think, this bold appraisal comes after driving a test car powered by a sixcylinder engine, not the new, more powerful turbocharged V8, available in TDI clean diesel or the techno-fest W12. But with 333 ready ponies and 325lb-ft of supercharged torque quickly accessed through a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic, you might in-

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

deed wonder why you’d need more cylinders.

There was little economy benefit apparent in the smaller engine around town, with realworld urban numbers staying resolutely in the teens. But show the Audi a stretch of interstate and its EPA numbers would jump to the high twenties, a legacy of the A8L’s lithe aluminum body and svelte aerodynamics.

One easily noted benefit of this motor was that it didn’t loose nearly as much thrust at higher elevations as the older, atmospheric V8; another was that the A8L V6’s lighter nose imbued it with better balance in the corners and a much more composed ride over battered roads than one tested over a year ago.

Based on time spent in competitors, I would

go so far as to say the Audi boasts the best ride quality in the class right now, even on its gorgeous, optional 20-inch rims and low profile rubber.

Another area where the Audi rules is in the category of interior ambiance. The entire VW group (of which Audi is a part) has long held a lead here, and though competitors continue to up the ante, the A8L remains at least a generation ahead in tactile and visual pleasure. The company’s prowess is evident in the complexity of shapes, whether of stitched leather, aluminum, real wood or high-quality plastic. The confident subtlety in the way these materials interact and complement each other is still missing from many other coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

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sideBets 2013 VW Beetle

Price as tested: $28,495 (Convertible); $24,595 (Diesel Coupe) It would appear as though the second generation “new” Beetle has been subjected to a thorough regimen of testosterone and other performance enhancements to better appeal to both sexes and become a more credible rival to the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500.

Based on time spent in a normally aspirated convertible and turbodiesel-powered coupe, I would say the gender reassignment was almost a complete success. Racy yet still cute, it is visually an unqualified success, both inside and out. Its stance and detailing are more grown up yet still approachable, and its cockpit cheerful and bright, with materials that, while not in any way luxurious, at least please the eye and are well assembled.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

2013 Ford Flex AWD Price as tested: $35,175

Based on the same platform that underpins the incredibly successful—but more mainstream—Explorer, the Ford Flex greets the world with audacious, Midcentury Modern lines that have been enhanced for 2013 with more interesting lighting graphics and fascias that enhance its visual daring.

Other changes for the new model year in-

clude the integration of the company’s oft-lambasted MyFordTouch infotainment interface, which is really cool looking but bug-prone and hard to use when on the move. More successful are the revisions to the basic 3.5-liter V6 engine, bolstering horsepower from 262 to 287. Torque benefits from the addition of variable cam timing as well, but not to the same degree; twist increases from 248lb-ft to 254.

The extra muscle is noticeable from behind the wheel, while fuel economy doesn’t appear to have suffered at all. Available as an option is the 365hp EcoBoost twin turbo, but even without it the Flex feels more dynamically rewarding than even the Sport version of its Explorer sibling, due to its slightly lesser mass and much lower center of gravity. The Flex rides even better than the smoothly progressive Explorer, while also showing more responsiveness to the

helm and much less float and sway in corners.

Inside, the great, airy design is undermined— as on so many Fords—by subpar materials (like the sticky vinyl covering half of the so-called “leather” seats) and some silly faux wood, which clashes with the more intriguing plastic textures inspired by leading apparel designers.

No doubt some corporate suit, afraid of offending Mr. and Mrs. Midwest Mainstream, nixed taking this audacious people carrier concept through to its logical conclusion. Still, the Flex has been one of Ford’s best sellers in the design bellwether that is California, while it languishes in the more conservative heartland.

Regardless, the Flex stands as a terrific, practical machine for modern family hauling, with lots of room and pleasing dynamics. And though Ford hasn’t addressed every last minor issue, at the least they have stayed the course and made modest investments in just about the most radical crossover on sale today. ford.com/crossovers/flex/ Cag Read more of Contributing Editor Isaac Bouchard’s automotive writing at nicedrivz.com and coloradoavidgolfer.com. coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

PHOTOGRAPH S C O U RT E S Y O F VO L K S WAGON ( t o p ) a n d f o r d

high-priced machines.

This ultra-luxurious vibe was enhanced by the optional Comfort-spec 22-way adjustable front chairs and Comfort package rear bucket seats; even at two grand per option, both can be considered bargains. The same cannot be said for the $6,300 Bang & Olufsen sound system, whose overall acoustic signature is no match for the much less pricey Mark Levinson setup available in a Lexus.

One detail of the A8L exemplifies the entire experience. The interior A-pillars, which frame the front windshield, are formed in one continuous piece of material that flows past the front seat occupant’s heads, unbroken by any seam until the pillars reach back beyond view.

Most cars terminate theirs at the top of the windshield and cover them in cheap materials.

In contrast, the A8L’s are covered in sumptuous synthetic suede; combined with the elegant sweep of their shape, they make the Audi feel much richer. Thoughtful details such as this bespeak luxury and help elevate the A8L to the top of its class. models.audiusa.com/a8

The open top model scores by having a super fast-acting cloth roof that can be raised or lowered at speeds up to 31mph andRoof down it’s blustery, but this is easily remedied by rolling up the windows and fitting the optional wind blocker, which transforms the Beetle’s cockpit into an oasis of tranquility. When the top is closed, the open-top rides as quietly at highway speeds as the coupe does. There’s little scuttle shake or steering column wobble—unlike the MINI—and even a modicum of trunk space. Fiat’s 500 is equally rigid, but it isn’t a true convertible to my mind, as the rigid window and roof frame remain.

Of the available Beetle powertrains, the basic 2.5-liter promises much with a quick step-off from traffic lights, but then under delivers with a weak midrange and no real shove. Much better the 200hp 2-liter turbo, which is a rocket, or the great TDI, whose real-world 35-45mpg, more than ample midrange muscle and sporty soundtrack make it a very compelling hybrid alternative. To get the most out of its narrow powerband though, you need to couple it to the twin-clutch 6-speed gearbox; otherwise you’ll find yourself shifting much too often.

The basic engine comes with a decent enough slushbox auto, and the turbo pairs well with a precise-shifting 6-speed manual or the DSG manumatic.

The Beetle trumps the 500 and Cooper through its excellent ride/handling balance.

The VW rides much better over broken pavement than either, yet still serves up an interactive chassis balance and precise steering that make it a joy to toss around on a twisty road.

Combined with its commendable refinement, great appearance, and real world practicality it is hard not to feel that VW has turned the Beetle into the most compelling of the small class of retromobiles on sale today. web.vw.com/ coupe/beetle/

Karl Mecklenburg

Gives a Read The Broncos legend tees off on school-age illiteracy.

By Sam Adams | Portrait by Todd Langley

A

wide smile smothers the face of former Denver Broncos great Karl Mecklenburg as he talks about his REACH Fo u n d a t i o n .

Now in its eighth year, REACH (Rewarding Experiences for All Children), offers programs with incentives that encourage children in kindergarten through fifth grade to read 100 minutes a week outside the classroom—and to excel in their classroom activities. Since 2007, REACH has supported more than 30,000 students in Denver Public Schools.

“I got to a point where I felt it was best to focus on one thing,” says the erudite ginger-haired giant who had involved himself with several off-field endeavors after retiring from the National Football League in 1994. “I felt I could make the biggest impact with the reading program. We felt the best thing we could do is get the kids involved with literacy. Ninety percent of kids who drop out of school do so because they can’t read. You get further behind, you get frustrated.”

Mecklenburg knows the frustration. Growing up in Edina, Minnesota, the son of noted obstetrician-gynecologist Fred Mecklenburg and one-time U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources Marjory Mecklenburg struggled with dyslexia and a lisp. Today he is a published author (most recently of Heart of a Student Athlete) and accomplished public speaker who does not hide behind the scenes while others run his foundation. He visits schools, meets with teachers and speaks to students.

Pilot programs have been put in place for schools in the Sheridan and Adams 12 Districts.

This month REACH will honor the program’s top readers at the foundation’s annual Champions Luncheon held at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The book on Mecklenburg’s career with the Broncos was anything but a fun read for opposing coaches and players. Pages filled of tales about quarterback sacks and jarring tackles. Mecklenburg was the MVP—Most Versatile Player—of the Broncos’ defense. The passrushing, run-stuffing, bone-crunching brute helped co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

could understand the former football star’s concerns. “A lot of times, athletic ability in one sport is completely different in another,” McGetrick says. “He’s a big man, and when you’re big like that it’s a little tougher to learn golf, I think.

“It’s interesting because he played an aggressive, violent position and golf is about finesse, and touch and softness. It’s a like Arnold Palmer. He’s a charismatic, quiet, softspoken loving guy. But when he got out on the golf course, he was fearless and aggressive. I look at Karl like that, how he played football. When you look at him as a human being, he’s a soft-spoken gentleman.”

Honest, too. It would be easy for Meck to drop a number, like say, 77 (his jersey number) or 79 (his career sacks total) for his best round ever. Instead, he readily admits to scoring triple-digits on regular basis.

“I hit it a long way—I just don’t know where it’s going,” Mecklenburg laughs.

“I have moments. Ninety-five percent of the golf I play is in scrambles. There are always two or three holes where they’re using my shots.”

His game will be on display at his annual REACH Celebrity Golf Classic Aug. 19 at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Lakewood. In addition to standard competitions like Closest to the Pin and Longest Putt, there also are contests labeled “The Drive” and “The Fumble” in honor of two of the great moments in Broncos’ playoff history that Mecklenburg experienced.

For Meck, it’s not about being the best reader of putts, but with raising monies to make better readers out of metro Denver schoolchildren. He was the same age as many of them when he first played football.

“After the game, I remember my father asking me what I thought, and I said, ‘I really, really like to hit people,’” he recounts. After making his living doing precisely that, he now relishes making an impression in a less painful way.

“Making a social impact is a challenge that affects all of us,” he says. “And I take it very seriously.” Cag Contributing editor Sam Adams is the author of If You Don’t Believe Me…Lessons Learned from Listening to the Greats (samadamscomedy.com). For more information on REACH, visit kmreach.org. coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

P H O T O G R A P H BY T O D D L A N G L E Y

on the game’s final play. He lumbered 63 Denver reach four American Football Conyards before Machurek tackled him from ference Championship Games and three behind 17 yards short of the end zone.

Super Bowls.

These days, Meck prefers not to come up He was selected to six Pro Bowls, and is short on the golf course. During his career a two-time semifinalist for the Pro Football he received plenty of invitations to play Hall of Fame. He was voted to the Bronin charity and celebrity golf tournaments. cos’ Ring of Fame and the Colorado Sports He turned them down because he didn’t Hall of Fame. Not bad for a pre-med junior play. He prefered to fish. He took his first college transfer who walked on to the Unigolf lessons in 1995—the first year of his versity of Minnesota football team and was the 310th player (of 335) selected in the 1983 National Football League draft.

“He wasn’t a big enough defensive lineman—and he hadn’t played linebacker before—so we really didn’t give him much of a chance to make the team,” long-time Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Collier says. “But that year (’83) the league changed the roster numbers and allowed teams to carry two or three more players. We saw Karl had the skills as a pass rusher. We kept him for that, and then we decided to give him a shot at linebacker.

“Pretty soon he developed into an all-round player who could do a lot of different things for us. He’s in line for the Hall of Fame. Maybe we didn’t do him a favor by moving him around to all the different positions. He played defensive end, he played tackle, inside linebacker and outside linebacker. He didn’t develop as a one-position player when I GREENS MACHINE: Meck coached. If he had played one spot still hits the hole hard. he’d probably get even more recognition.”

Versatile, yes. Fast? retirement from football.

“No,” Mecklenburg says, laughing. “I ran “I’m all right when I get closer to the hole,” a 4.9 40-yard dash. I didn’t chase anybody Mecklenburg says. “Lessons helped me with down. They had to come to me.” Or, in the my short game. The long game is a matter case of Los Angeles Raiders running back of practice and fluidity.

Marcus Allen on Sept. 30, 1984, stay station“Golf is more like kicking and punting ary long enough while trying catching a pass. than playing linebacker. I had to change my Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett lofted mindset. In a football season, there are one a short pass to Allen, whose fingers had or two plays where everything goes exactly barely touched the ball when Mecklenburg the way it’s supposed to go. Not in golf. engrafted him into the stadium grass. Allen There’s topping, pulling, slicing—it’s more of stayed on the turf for almost 20 seconds—no a precision thing. doubt woozy-headed for a lot longer.

“Plus, there’s the grip strength. When Meanwhile, Denver fans cheered wildly I played football, I got my hands on you after the crushing lick. “Meck” became a and you were down. That grip doesn’t work household name in the Mile High City. in golf.”

The following week, against the Detroit Mecklenburg took his first lessons from Lions at the Silverdome, Meck intercepted renowned instructor Mike McGetrick, who Lions backup quarterback Mike Machurek

Pinehurst Country Club MONDAY, JULY 8TH

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4-Person Shamble—1:30pm Shotgun Start

The Ridge at Castle Pines WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH

4-Person Scramble—1:30pm Shotgun Start

The Helpful

100

A statewide calendar of

100 golf tournaments that benefit the communities in which we live

co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

57

May 10

LIBR Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Life is Better Rescue (lifeisbetterrescue.org) City Park Golf Course, Denver Contact: Don Basler, 303-517-5923; LIBRgolf@gmail.com

May 13

2013 Hope Challenge

Beneficiary: Boys Hope Girls Hope (bhgh.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Leslie Pera, 720-524-2061; lpera@bhgh.org

May 15-17

Jack A. Vickers Invitational hosted by John Elway

Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock Beneficiary: Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (bgcmd.org) Contact Kevin Laura, 303-486-8551; klaura@mail.coloradoopen.com

May 16

Chippin’ for CAUSE (Concerned Attendants for a United Support Effort) Beneficiary: Concerned Attendants for a United Support Effort Buffalo Run Golf Course, Commerce City Contact: Heidi Wengel, 219-8085940; hmwengel@yahoo.com

May 17

1st Annual Golf Classic Benefiting the Falcon Peyton Relay For Life

Beneficiary: American Cancer Society Relay for Life (relayforlife.org) Antler Creek Golf Club, Falcon Contact: Diane Saign 719-494-1455; saigns3@aol.com

13th Annual Higher Ground Youth Challenge Benefit

Beneficiary: Higher Ground Youth Challenge (highergroundyc.org) Legacy Ridge Golf Course, Westminster Contact: Stan Meade, 303-8177777; stan@highergroundyc.org

58

Jake’s Academy Tournament Fundraiser Beneficiary: Jakes Academy (jakesplacegolf.org) Lone Tree Golf Club, Lone Tree Contact: Doug Wherry, 303-5419159; doug@jakesacademy.com

May 18

Rapha House Benefit Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Rapha House (raphahouse.org) Highland Hills Golf Course, Greeley Contact: Noel Lawrence 303-941-0462; noelrl@comcast.net

May 20

There With Care Golf Classic

Optimists

Beneficiary: Colorado Wyoming Optimists (optimistcowy.org) Park Hill Golf Course, Denver Contact: Joe Marci, 303-771-3748; marcifrog@aol.com

May 31

17th Annual Screaming Eagle Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Eagle Chamber Scholarship Fund (eaglechamber.co) Eagle Ranch Golf Club, Eagle Contact: Joe Knabel, 970-331-4664; 86gator@centurytel.net

JUNE 1

Gary V. Sharp Memorial Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: There With Care (therewithcare.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Shanna Lawless 303-4472273; shanna@therewithcare.org

Beneficiary: Fowler High School golf teams (gvsmemorialgolftournament. blogspot.com) Cottonwood Links Golf Course, Fowler Contact: Eric Lundy, 719-252-7904; gvsmemorialgolf@gmail.com

MAY 22

JUNE 3

Beneficiary: CASA of Adams & Broomfield Counties (casa17th.org) The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, Westminster Contact: Lisandra Gonzales 303655-3927; lisandra@casa17th.com

Beneficiary: Sewall Child Development Center (sewall.org) Pinehurst Country Club, Denver Contact: Paige Heagle, 303-3991800; pheagle@sewallchild.org

CASA Classic to Drive Out Child Abuse

May 24

CACI Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (cochamber.com) The Broadmoor West Course, Colorado Springs Contact: Tricia Smith, 303-8669629; tsmith@cochamber.com

May 28

CGA/CWGA Junior Golf Fundraiser

Beneficiary: Colorado Junior Golf Association (cogolf.org) CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora Contact: Dave Troyer, dtroyer@commongroundgc.com; 303-340-1520

May 29

Colorado-Wyoming

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

Take a Swing for Sewall: 27th Annual Golf Classic

28th Annual Variety of Colorado Golf Tournament and Dinner Beneficiary: Variety, the Children’s Charity of Colorado (varietycolorado.org) Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood Contact: Anne Tengler, 303-9621184; anne@varietycolorado.org

9th Annual Habitat Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (habitatcolorado.org) Glenmoor Country Club, Cherry Hills Village Contact: Rob Ayers, 303-478-2962; robayers78@yahoo.com

Bright Beginnings Butler Memorial

Beneficiary: Bright Beginnings (brightbeginningsusa.org) Valley Country Club, Centennial Contact: Anthony Accetta, 303-639-9000; ata@ataccetta.com

Ceal of Approval Cancer ranks second only to heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States, and for 100 years the American Cancer Society has dedicated itself to making sure the disease drops down—and off— the leaderboard.

That requires the level of research and funding a tournament held at course like Parker’s Colorado Golf Club can generate. The site of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship and this fall’s Solheim Cup has the “it” factor to attract top-dollar participation. What it also has, according to American Cancer Society’s Distinguished Event Chair Jane Barnes, is “the most beautiful 9-hole executive course in the state.”

And so, looking to reverse the dwindling number of women participants in the ACS’s annual Hope Invitational, Barnes decided last year to use the short course for a women’s-only event. The two-flight (morning and afternoon) Ladies’ Hope Invitational sold out in only three months and came off seamlessly. “Women wanted their own place at their own pace,” she says. “We hosted a clinic… and kept the format simple to allow all abilities to enjoy the nine-hole round. Lunch on CGC’s patio, and afternoon cocktails with the larger Hope Invitational guests made for a perfect end to the day.”

Barnes looks to repeat her success June 10. As he did last year, cancer survivor and Nuggets head coach George Karl will serve as the main Hope Invitational’s honorary chair, while former University of Colorado women’s basketball coach Ceal Barry will function in that capacity for the ladies event. Currently CU’s Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, Barry says sehe has had a number of family members suffer with cancer, “and once you’ve experienced the effects of the disease first-hand, motivation becomes much more personal.”

Through golf, Barry befriended American Cancer Society Executive VP Karen Hill, who invited her to be honorary chair. “It’s easy to say yes to a friend,” she says, “when it comes to fighting cancer and involves a sport I love.”

The coach with the most victories in CU history can’t wait to tee it up. “The Ladies’ Hope Invitational is exciting in that it is an event solely created for women,” says the 20-handicap. “I’ve played many golf scrambles where putts are the only shots of mine that are used. This event levels the playing field for the participants. It’s going to be great.”

For more information on the Ladies Hope Invitational: jane.barnes@cancer.org; 720-524-5446

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

JUNE 4

Avista Hospital Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Avista Hospital (centura.org) Omni Interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield Contact: Laura Fitch, 303-715-7600; laurafitch@Centura.org

JUNE 6

Easter Seals Colorado Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Easter Seals Colorado (co.easterseals.com) Todd Creek Golf Club, Thornton Contact: Ken Krumrey 303-339-5312; kkrumrey@johnson-united.com

Tee Up for Down Syndrome

Beneficiary: Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association (rmdsa.org) Inverness Hotel & Golf Club, Englewood Contact: MaryAnn Barwick, 303.797.1699; maryannb@rmdsa.org

10th Annual Project C.U.R.E. & Newmont Mining Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Project C.U.R.E. (projectcure.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Laurie Porter, 720-490-4022; laurieporter@projectcure.org

JUNE 7

4th Annual Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community Tournament

Beneficiary: Eastern Star Masonic Retirement Community (esmrc.com) Park Hill Golf Course, Denver Contact Pati Sawyer Boex, 303-753-2160; patis@esmrc.com

JUNE 7-8

U.S. Bank Corporate Cup

Beneficiary: Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program (coloradopga.com/playgolfcolorado) Red Sky Golf Club, Wolcott Contact: Vanessa Van Horn, 720-493-1729; vanessa@coloradoavidgolfer.com

JUNE 10

Rocky Mountain USO Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Rocky Mountain USO (uso.org/US/#Colorado) Glenmoor Country Club, Cherry Hills Village Contact: Bruce Thoms, 303-670-1793; bapthoms@q.com

Parker Task Force 5th Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Parker Task Force/Food Bank (parkertaskforce.org) Spring Valley Golf Club, Elizabeth Contact: Steve Budnack 303-590-5566, foodbank@parkertaskforce.org

5th Annual Michael & Cora Betts Tournament

Beneficiary: Michael & Cora Betts Legacy Foundation (bettslegacy.org)

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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Keeping the game you love the game you love.

When you become a member, you’re supporting golf, not just playing “around.”

JOIN NOW

GET A FREE ROUND!* ~AVIDGOLFER EXCLUSIVE~

Join the CGA or CWGA online and play “a round” at CommonGround on us! To learn more about this special offer, visit www.COgolf.org/Avid. The CGA and CWGA created CommonGround to improve, share and support the game you love.

A place for all and all the game teaches.

*Some restrictions apply. Offer good while supplies last. See www.COgolf.org/Avid for details.

www.COgolf.org/Avid

© 2013

2013 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Challenge

Castle Rock Contact: Patrick Salva, 303-996-1597; psalva@pgahq.com

Beneficiary: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (fca.org) Glenmoor Country Club, Cherry Hills Village Contact: David Farmer, 303-880-0372; dfarmer@fca.org

JUNE 17

7th Annual Drive for a Cure George Karl, honorary chair of the Hope Invitational Deer Creek Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Michael Betts Jr., 303-979-5538; betts285@hotmail.com

JUNE 10

Hope Invitational and Ladies Hope Invitational

Beneficiary: American Cancer Society (cancer.org) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Jane Barnes, 720-524-5446; jane.barnes@cancer.org

Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Tournament Beneficiary: Colorado Golf Hall of Fame (coloradogolfhalloffame.org) Country Club of Castle Pines,

Beneficiary: Colorado Cancer Research Program (co-cancerresearch.org) Valley Country Club, Centennial Contact: Todd McKinley, 303-777-2663; tmckinley@co-cancerresearch.org

JUNE 17 & 18

Flight For Life Colorado 2013 Golf Classic

Marriott CMN Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Children’s Miracle Network (childrenscoloradofoundation.org) Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden Contact: Chad Conrad, chad.conrad@marriott.com; 303-291-3602

The Rotary Club of the Broadmoor District 17th Annual 5-Star Golf Classic

Beneficiary: St. Anthony Health Foundation (stanthonyhealthfoundation.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Gretchen Guerra, 303-629-2282; gretchenguerra@centura.org

JUNE 18

29th Annual FirstBank Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Rotary Club of Broadmoor District (rotarybroadmoor.com) Country Club of Colorado, Colorado Springs Contact Tracy Lee, 719-650-5520; tlee2409@comcast.net

Beneficiary: Special Olympics Colorado (specialolympicsco.org) Host Course: Omni Interlocken Golf Course, Broomfield Contact Megan Toohey, 720-359-3109; mtoohey@specialolympicsco.org

JUNE 20

15th Annual Leadership Aurora Tournament

Beneficiary: Leadership Aurora (aurorachamber.org/leadership-aurora) Heritage Eagle Bend Country Club, Aurora Contact: Kimberly Curtis, 303-344-1500; kimberly.curtis@aurorachamber.org

Champions For Children Golf Classic

Beneficiary: The Adoption Exchange (adoptex.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Jacki Propernick, 303-755-4756 x261; jpropernick@adoptex.org

JUNE 21-22

Colorado Celebrity Classic

Beneficiary: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS.org/classic) Grove Ranch, Centennial (June 21); Eisenhower Golf Club, Colorado Springs (June 22) Contact: Lynne Cottrell, 303-696-0450; LCottrell@aol.com

Back by Popular Demand

GOLFSWAP To participate just drop off your clubs at our stores and fill out a consignment form, then leave the rest to us. The Golf Swap will be held in our parking lot. For additional information please call or stop by our stores and ask our staff or visit us online at www.coloradoskiandgolf.com.

HERE ARE THE GOLF SWAP DATES AND LOCATIONS: AURORA - 2650 S. Havana - 303.337.1734 Club Drop Off Dates: May 13 thru May 17 Sale Date: May 18 & May 19 COLORADO SPRINGS - Montebello & Academy - 719.268.9522 Club Drop Off Dates: May 13 thru May 17 Sale Date: May 18 & May 19 LITTLETON - 8100 W. Crestline Ave - 303.948.7550 Club Drop Off Dates: May 20 thru May 24 Sale Date: May 25 & May 26 ARVADA - 7715 Wadsworth - 303.420.0885 Club Drop Off Dates: May 26 thru MAY 31 Sale Date: June 1 & June 2

Join our free online Preferred Customer Program at coloradoskiandgolf.com 62

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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Discover the Game and Love it for Life

5 Lessons for $99*

SpeciďŹ c classes for women, juniors, families and more.

Prices may vary.

Register today at www.GetGolfReady.com

JUNE 21

13th Annual Teeing Off for Arapahoe House Golf Tournament

10th Annual Red Kettle Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Arapahoe House (arapahoehouse.org) Arrowhead Golf Club, Littleton Contact: Kristen Babbitt, 303.412.3643, kbabbitt@ahinc.org

Beneficiary: Vail Valley Salvation Army (salvationarmyvail.org) Adams Mountain Country Club, Eagle Contact: Tsu Wolin Brown 970-748-0704; golf@salvationarmyvail.org

Golf For Missions Unleashed

June 22-24

Buffs4Life Celebrity Weekend

Beneficiary: Buffs4Life Foundation (buffs4life.org) Omni Interlocken Golf Club, Broomfield (June 24 only) Contact: Lisa Van Goor, 720-891-2926; information@buffs4life.org

JUNE 24

Griffith Centers for Children Challenge for the Cup Beneficiary: Griffith Centers for Children (griffithcenters.org) The Golf Club at Bear Dance, Larkspur Contact: Jamie Sachtjen, 719-327-2031; jamie.sachtjen@griffithcenters.org

Beneficiary: Bear Valley Church (bvchurch.org) Red Rocks Country Club, Morrison Contact Steve Anderson, 720-201-7965; sportsmedic@juno.com

June 23 & 24 Success on the Green Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Junior Achievement of Colorado (jacolorado.org) Sanctuary Sedalia Shawna Robbins, 303-260-6286; srobbins@jacolorado.org

JUNE 25

4th Annual Memorial Tournament

Beneficiary: Golf Foundation of Colorado (golffoundationofcolorado.org) CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora Gary Leeper, 303-433-4446; gary@imigroup.org

JUNE 26

Energy Corporation of America ForeSight Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Anchor Center for Blind Children (anchorcenter.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact Savannah West, 303-377-9732; savannah@anchorcenter.org

(senseofsecurity.org) The Golf Course at Heather Ridge, Aurora Contact Darrell Artis, 720-312-0058; daris100@gmail.com

Friends Charity Golf Tourney

Children’s Hospital (friendscharitygolf.com) Murphy Creek Golf Club, Aurora Contact: Dean Page, 303-627-8758; director@friendscharitygolf.com

July 8

21st Annual Taddonio Family Foundation Golf Classic

JUNE 27

The Home Front Cares Annual Tournament

Beneficiary: The Home Front Cares (thehomefrontcares.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: George Hayward, 719-314-5018; g.hayward@thehomefrontcares.org

JUNE 29

The Frontier Club Open Beneficary: Sense of Security

Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Beneficiary: Ronald McDonald House (ronaldhouse.org) Contact: Toni M. Taddonio, 303-270-9891; tmtaddonio@mhff.net

15th Annual Scramble Against Cancer Golf Tournament and Celebration Sonnenalp Golf Club, Edwards Beneficiary: Sonnenalp of Vail Foundation (sonnenalpfoundation.com) Contact: Michele Davis, 970-479-5700; mdavis@sonnenalp.com

When you play CommonGround, you’re supporting golf, not just playing “around.”

A place for all and all the game teaches.

JOIN NOW

GET A FREE ROUND!* ~AVIDGOLFER EXCLUSIVE~

© 2013

CommonGround was created by the CGA and CWGA to improve, share and support the game you love.

Join the CGA or CWGA online and play “a round” on us! Visit www.COgolf.org/Avid to learn more and take advantage of this special offer. www.CommonGroundGC.com ~ 303-340-1520 64

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

coloradoavidgo lf e r.c o m

July 10

Arrupe Golf Invitational

Beneficiary: Arrupe Jesuit High School (arrupejesuit.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Laurie Vieira, 303-455-7449 x232; lvieira@arrupejesuit.com

AFTER THE GREEN, THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A NICE RED

JOB #: CLIENT DESCRI VERSIO TRIM S BLEED: INK CO PERSON SPECIA REVISE

July 11

10th Annual Aimco Cares Golf Classic

Beneficiaries: T.A.P.S., Project Sanctuary and Aimco Cares Scholarship Fund Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Kelly Fallin: 303-901-2462; Kelly.Fallin@aimco.com

Publicatio

July 12

DP Contac

Cherokee Trail High School Baseball Tourney

Job # :

Finished S

Beneficiary: Cherokee Trail Baseball (cherokeetrailbaseball.com) Saddle Rock Golf Course, Aurora Contact: Maggie Halverson, 303-519-8983, mzmags@comcast.net

Live Area

Bleed Size

July 15

Littleton Hospital FoundatioN Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Littleton Adventist Hospital Foundation (rmahf.org) The Country Club at Castle Pines, Castle Rock Contact: Laura Fitch, 303-715-7600; LauraFitch@Centura.org

Prime Steak & 100 Wines by the Glass Enjoy the finest prime steak and fresh seafood, paired with a selection from the Fleming’s 100® — our award-winning list of 100 wines by the glass.

65 Roses Golf Classic for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Beneficiary: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org) Red Rocks Country Club, Morrison Contact: Jennah Lagomarsino: 303-296-6610; jlagomarsino@cff.org

Christmas in July

Beneficiary: Soldier’s families during holiday season Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, Fort Carson Contact: Frank Jacobson, 719-526-1927; frank.j.jacobson2.naf@mail.mil

191 Inverness Drive West, Englewood • 303-768-0827 www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com/Denver 12FMG350-33_DEN_Golf_Ad_r2.indd 1

“Take The Right Approach With ACP!”

17th Annual Southwest Sertoma Charity Golf Tournament

Business Solutions

Beneficiaries: Multiple Charities (sertoma.org) Pinehurst Country Club, Denver Contact: Roderic Jacobus Sr., 303-795-9218; rjacobussr@Q.com

Copiers and Service Printers and Service IT Services and Hardware

July 17

6th Annual Moody Charity Golf Tournament

Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen Beneficiary: Judi’s House (judishouse.org) Mike Roark, 303-370-0118; mroark@moodyins.com co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

3/7/12 11:05 AM

303.388.6050

Go-ACP.com

Official Document Solution Provider of Colorado Avid Golfer Magazine May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

65

July 18

Adams County Commissioners Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Senior Hub (seniorhub.org) Host Course: Riverdale Dunes, Brighton Contact Renee Dees, 303-426-4408; rdees@seniorhub.org

July 24

Jones Lang LaSalle Pro-Ams (A.M. & P.M.) Beneficiary: The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch (thefirstteegreenvalleyranch.org) Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, Denver Contact: Kevin Laura, 303-486-8551; KLaura@ColoradoOpen.com

Starlight Children’s Foundation Beneficiary: Starlight Children’s Foundation (starlight-colorado.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Tammy Krause, 303-691-0700; tammy@starlight-colorado.org

July 25

17th Annual Cherry Creek Rotary Open

Beneficiary: Denver Cherry Creek Rotary (cherrycreekrotary.org) Golf Club at Bear Dance, Larkspur Contact: Jeffrey Maen, 303-759-8333; dcboulevard@qwestoffice.net

Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation

Beneficiary: Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation (cspff.net) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Annette Westphal, 303-549-2145; amdwestphal@yahoo.com

July 30

3rd Annual Tee Up For Tikes

Beneficiary: Mother House Boulder (mother-house.org) Coal Creek Golf Course, Louisville Contact: Caren Paul, 303-449-8849; caren@gofarfast.com

July 31

National Sports Center for the Disabled

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Beneficiary: National Sports Center for the Disabled (nscd.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Ashley Skrdlant, 303-293-5311; askrdlant@nscd.org

August 1 Craig Hospital

Beneficiary: Craig Hospital (craighospital.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Sue Lynch, 303-789-8578; slynch@craighospital.org

August 3

3rd Annual Mike Bamford Foundation 66

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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Participants and volunteers in the Mike Bamford Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament.

Memorial Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado (mikebamfordfoundation.org) Redlands Mesa Golf Club, Grand Junction Contact: Kelly Bamford, 970-261-4471; rkbamford@bresnan.net

August 5 Golf FORE A Kid

Beneficiary: Dani’s Foundation (danisfoundation.org) Meridian Golf Club, Englewood Contact: Martha Simmons, 303-601-1881; martha@danisfoundation.org

Golf FORE a Kid participants Dani Urman (second from left) and Adele Arakawa (second from right) support the battle against pediatric sarcoma.

Friends FORE Hospice

Beneficiary: Hospice of Saint John (hospiceofsaintjohn.org) Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood Contact: Amber Linnertz 303-232-7900; alinnertz@hospiceofsaintjohn.org

Southern Colorado Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Beneficiary: Southern Colorado Fellowship of Christian Athletes (socofca.org) The Club at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs Contact: Jerry Richardson, 719-592-9333; jrichardson@classichomes.com

Kunsberg Classic National Jewish Health

Beneficiary: National Jewish Health (nationaljewish.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Michael Meyers, 303-398-1768; meyersm@njhealth.org co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

ARE YOU ON INSTAGRAM? JOIN US!!!

Tag your photos with #COAVIDGOLF for your chance to be featured in our online photo annual this August!

@ COLORADOAVIDGOLFER May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

67

August 8

Volunteers of America’s Legends Golf Tournament Volunteers of America (voacolorado.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Denise Robert, 303-368-5208; deniselrobert@comcast.net

August 10

The birch memorial golf Tournament

Beneficiary: The Birch Memorial Fund (thebirch.org) Kennedy Golf Course, Denver Contact: Brian Munroe, 303-918-5724; birchinfo@comcast.net

August 12-13 GET UP TO

1500

$

For a Child’s Sake Golf Tournament

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August 12

Get A Complimentary Sleeve Of Golf Balls When You Come In For A Test Drive!

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Children’s Classic at Sanctuary

New 2013 Honda Pilot 4WD LX AUTOMATIC

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Beneficiary: Multiple charities Heritage at Westmoor, Westminster Contact: Dave Cohen, 303-252-1997; dave@specialtye.com

279 PER MONTH LEASE

303-708-2000 • 1-800-New Honda

10750 E. Arapahoe Rd. Centennial, CO 80112

www.Kuni-Honda.com † NEGATIVE EQUITY APPLIED TO NEW LOAN BALANCE. BASED ON CURRENT MONTH’S KELLEY BLUE BOOK FAIR TRADE VALUE LESS EXCESS MILES, DAMAGE, WEAR & TEAR. EXCLUDES ADVERTISED SPECIALS, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.*DAILY PAYMENTS BASED ON A 30-DAY MONTH. ALL DAILY PAYMENTS BASED ON 36-MONTH CLOSED-END LEASES, 12,000 MILES PER YEAR, 15¢ MILE THEREAFTER TOTAL DUE AT SIGNING: 2013 CR-V $2299, 2013 PILOT $2999, 2013 ODYSSEY $2999, PLUS TAX, TAG AND TITLE. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT, WITH APPROVED CREDIT. PICTURES ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHIC ERRORS. SEE DEALER FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. OFFERS EXPIRE 05/31/2013.

Beneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation (childrenscoloradofoundation.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Lindsey Alexander, 720-777-1759; lalexander@tchfden.org

Wounded Warrior Project Tournament

Beneficiary: Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org) The Club at Flying Horse, Colorado Springs Contact: Jay Kvale, 719-548-9712, x305; kvale@infinity.aero

August 14

Big Brothers Big Sisters Sanctuary Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (biglittlecolorado.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Mandy McIntyre, 303-800-7258; mandym@biglittlecolorado.org

August 15

Steadman Philippon Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Steadman Philippon Research Institute (sprivail.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: John McMurtry, 970-479-5781; mcmurtry@sprivail.org

August 19

21st Annual W. Michael Northey Memorial Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: W. Michael Northey Scholarship Fund (arvada.org) Arrowhead Golf Course, Littleton Contact: Mark Greubel, 720-898-6660; mark-g@arvada.org

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8th Annual Reach Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Karl Mecklenburg’s Reach Foundation (kmreach.org) Fox Hollow Golf Course, Lakewood Contact: Pam Krotchko, 303-548-2406; pkrotchko@karlmecklenburg.net

August 21 Water for People

Beneficiary: Water For People (waterforpeople.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Aaron Carlson, 720-488-4586; acarlson@waterforpeople.org

August 22

16th Annual Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic at Sanctuary Beneficiary: Food Bank of the Rockies (foodbankrockies.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact : Kristina Cordova, 303-375-5838; kcordova@foodbankrockies.org

August 23

Second Annual Restaurant

co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

Solutions Diamond Drive

Beneficiary: Denver Children’s Home (denverchildrenshome.org) Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden Contact Jeff Marlow, 303-458-1204; jmarlow@restacct.com

August 24

Chris Miranda Memorial Scholarship Tourney

Beneficiary: Poudre School District Foundation (psdschools.org) Collindale Golf Course, Ft. Collins Contact: Van Miranda, 303-419-6549; dadmir@msn.com

August 26

Parker Hospital Foundation Golf Classic Beneficiary: Parker Hospital Foundation (parkerhospitalfoundation.org) The Club at Pradera, Parker Contact Laura Fitch, 303-715-7600; LauraFitch@Centura.org

FORE! Our Kids Golf Classic Beneficiary: Tennyson Center for Children (childabuse.org)

Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Tera Prim, 720-855-3316; tera.prim@tennysoncenter.org

Mulligans for Military

Beneficiary: Homes For Our Troops (homesforourtroops.org) Spring Valley Golf Club, Elizabeth Contact: Dan McGrath, 303-881-1472; d.mcgrath42@yahoo.com

Tee It Up for Wounded Warriors & Keystone Adaptive Center

Beneficiary: Keystone Adaptive Center (boec.org) Keystone Ranch Golf Course Contact: Marci Sloan, 970-453-6422; marci@boec.org

Fort Carson Summer Classic Beneficiary: Fort Carson Food Vouchers Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club, Fort Carson Contact: Frank Jacobson, 719-526-1927; frank.j.jacobson2.naf@mail.mil

August 28

9th Annual Energy Outreach Colorado Tournament

Former Governor Bill Ritter chips in for Water for People.

Beneficiary: Energy Outreach Colorado (energyoutreach.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Jennifer Gremmert, 303-226-5052; jgremmert@energyoutreach.org

September 8-9 SPCF/PAL

Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Denver Police Activities League (denverpal.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Jake Schroeder, 720-203-2415; jschroeder@denverpal.com

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

69

September 9

Fellowship of Christian Athletes State Annual Golf Tournament

Beneficiary: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (fcacolorado.org) Host Course: Omni Interlocken Golf Resort Golf Club Contact Nate Yeomans 720-445-9434; nate@equitystreamsfg.com

Professionals Miracles Foundation Annual Golf Tournament & Evening Gala Beneficiary: Professionals Miracles Foundation (professionalsmiraclesfoundation.com) Colorado Golf Club, Parker Contact: Jeri Evans 303-916-2255; pmf@jeriandroger.com

9th Annual Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Golf Classic

Beneficiary: Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (coloradosports.org) Host Course: The Broadmoor East Golf Club, Colorado Springs Contact: Tom Lawrence, 720-258-3536; tlawrence@coloradosports.org

September 11

Drive For Tuition Assistance

Beneficiary: Regis Jesuit High School (regisjesuit.com) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact: Mary Dailey, 303-269-8040; mdailey@regisjesuit.com

September 12

Don’t Fear the Finger/Please Save Another

Beneficiary: William Meyn Foundation (pleasesaveanother.org) Contact: Cheri Meyn, 303-903-8289; c.meyn@pleasesaveanother.org

September 16 Drive a Scout to Camp

Beneficiary: Boy Scouts of America Denver Area Council (denverboyscouts.org) Sanctuary, Sedalia Contact : Anthony Michael, 720-266-2132; amichael@bsamail.com

September 17

Jackson Holbrook Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Jackson Holbrook medical costs Applewood Golf Course, Golden Contact Tony Giardina, 303-907-5383; t_giardina@yahoo.com

September 30

Support-A- Soldier 1st Annual Golf Tournament Beneficiary: Support-A- Soldier (supportasoldier.com) Fossil Trace Golf Club, Golden Contact: Vanessa Van Horn, vvanhorn5@gmail.com Cag

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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It’s Here!

Sign up NOW!

2013 Fan Golf Tour

June 3 June 21 July 11 July 22 Aug 5 Aug 21

Sept

A place for all and all the game teaches.

The Club at Pradera Black Bear Golf Club Hiwan Golf Club Perry Park C.C. The Ranch C.C. Common Ground G.C. FINALS: Atlantis

Casino Resort Spa Reno, Nevada

Play for a Spot in the Finals

in September at Reno’s Atlantis Casino Resort Spa!

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A newly minted relationship with Troon reinvigorates this giant among private Colorado golf communities.

By Kim McHugh

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

73

T

o say Cordillera is one of North America’s toniest golf developments is like saying Augusta National hosts a golf tournament. The 12-square-mile enclave’s meteoric rise to prominence as the Vail Valley’s preeminent golf community and resort destination began in 1987 when plans were unveiled to construct the 28-room Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, and continued with the introduction of four golf courses: the Hale Irwin-designed Mountain Course in 1994; Tom Fazio’s Valley Course and the Dave Pelz-designed Short Course in 1997; and The Summit Course, a Nicklaus masterpiece, in 2001.

DISCORDILLERA

The Fazio-designed Valley Course.

Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

74

TROONING UP

At the beginning of 2013, Troon Golf announced it had been chosen to manage of the Club at Cordillera. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Troon is the largest third-party golf management company in the world.

To re-boot membership, Troon launched a program under Troon Privé, the company’s private club operating division.

“The special membership opportunity began in January and ended in early March,” commented Patrick Wilhelm, managing partner with Wind Rose and one of four Wilhelm siblings in the investment group. “It was available to people who were previously members of Cordillera as well as any homeowner inside the gates of Cordillera who had not previously been a member.”

Thanks to deeply discounted membership deals and meetings with residents and past members, more than 300 former members rejoined, 14 property owners became new members and six new members signed on from “outside the gates.”

While the window for that deal closed in March, the club is offering full golf memberships at a fraction of what they cost in 2011. Considering it wasn’t that long ago when the initiation fee to be a full golf member was $175,000, you can understand why people are jumping at the current initiation fee of $30,000, plus monthly

Hale Irwin’s Mountain Course.

dues just north of $1,000. The club is also offering Legacy and Young Professional memberships where the initiation fees are $40,000 and $15,000 respectively. Young Professional members, who are required to be under the age of 45, pay only half the dues of regular full golf members. A social membership costs $3,000 and with any of the membership levels there are no requirements to be a resident or property owner within Cordillera’s gates.

“We look forward to the opportunity to build The Club at Cordillera into what is, once again, a magnificent private mountain golf club,” says General Manager Mike Henritze, a Troon veteran who formerly served as GM of Colorado’s Ridge at Castle Pines North, and also for Troon Golf ’s flagship property, Troon North Club in Scottsdale. “I think the start of a good foundation has been laid successfully and my goal is to create a vibrancy where the members engage and visit the club again and again. It is our job to create that atmosphere and vibe.”

As part of the Troon Privé portfolio, the Club at Cordillera not only benefits from Troon’s management expertise, but its full golf members also enjoy access to more than 30 private clubs. Among them, The Boulders and The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Arizona, Silverado Resort and Spa and Marin Country Club in California, Shark’s Tooth Golf Club and BallenIsles Country Club in Florida, and Pronghorn in Oregon. Through the Troon Advantage program, Club at Cordillera members benefit from preferred rates at more than 85 daily-fee and resort properties under Troon’s umbrella.

“I’m very pleased with Troon’s level of enthusiasm and what they’re bringing to the table,” explained Nancy Groff, a member going on 18 years. “They weren’t turned off by the circumstances here and, in fact, they were incredibly positive and they’re going to make it work. I’m absolutely looking forward to playing the Troon Privé courses as well.” colorad o avidgo lf e r.c o m

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CORDILLERA

But in recent years, Cordillera, like so many golf communities, proved it wasn’t immune to the impact of an imploding real estate economy. Exacerbating its woes was a contentious spat between members of the Club at Cordillera and then-owner David Wilhelm.

Not long after Wilhelm bought Cordillera in 2009 from owner and founder, Felix Posen, relations soured when Wilhelm allegedly made decisions unpopular with members, such as opening only one of the community’s four golf courses. Collateral damage also included the shuttering of two of the club’s restaurants and its golf instructional facility, which remained closed for two seasons. So disgruntled were the members by the closures, many stopped paying dues in protest or resigned altogether.

Members filed a class-action lawsuit, Wilhelm countersued, and the club was eventually granted Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

last year.

“There was a hatred like I’ve never seen between the ownership and the members, and I’m sad that ever occurred,” explains John Lemak, a Cordillera resident. “There were a number of clubs across the country that got into trouble financially; ours was one of them. A lot of mistakes were made here, but everybody in this community banded together. I’m hopeful that things will get better.”

That certainly appears to be the case.

Righted from its tailspin in December 2012, the club emerged from bankruptcy after being sold for $14.2 million to Wind Rose Holdings LLC, an investment group from California. The sale settled the lawsuits and also called for the hiring of a professional management company to run the club.

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JuNE 10, 2013 Colorado Golf Club in Parker, CO

The Mountain Course’s Timber Hearth Grille.

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Of Cordillera’s four golf courses, three are available for play by Club at Cordillera full golf members—the Valley Course, Mountain Course and Summit Course. The Short Course was conveyed to Cordillera property owners as part of the new transition with Wind Rose. However, only two courses will operate this season.

Troon’s involvement assures that the courses are going to benefit from the company’s extensive knowledge in agronomy, which translates into lush fairways and tournament worthy greens. Slated for June 1, the re-opening of the training facility and the two restaurants ought to go a long way towards pleasing members.

“We plan on having a Troon Golf Academy this summer and the instruction program will be revamped,” Henritze says. “Tim Mahoney, one of our top 50 golf instructors, will be here for a few weeks and we’ll also have a director of instruction giving lessons.”

The Troon transition not only means the return of a stellar golf experience, but members can once again pull up a chair at Timber Hearth Grille at The Mountain Course, The Summit at The Summit Course and Chaparral at The Valley Course. The club has hired a new executive chef and food and beverage director, and revamped menus will debut June 1 at its restaurants.

“We’re very focused on the future and creating member satisfaction,” comments Henritze. “The resources at Troon are being employed to accomplish that. I’m looking forward to June when people are out here and having a good time.” Cag

For information about these events and to sign up, contact Jane Barnes at 720-524-5446 or visit HopeInvitational.com Proud Supporting Sponsors Centura Health Cancer Network • Cigna • CoBiz Financial DCP Midstream • Deloitte • Friends of Charity Golf • Colorado AvidGolfer

Kim McHugh, a Lowell Thomas awardwinning writer, is a Colorado AvidGolfer Contributing Editor and a resort real estate marketing and advertising consultant. For more information, visit vail-cordillera.com or call 970-569-6460. co l o r a d o a v i d g o l f e r. c o m

May 2013 |Colorado AvidGolfer

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hanks to clutch putting, Adam Scott did what Greg Norman failed to do—become the first Australian to win the Masters. After Scotty defeated Angel Cabrera on the second playoff hole, defending champion Bubba Watson Green Jacketed the new champion. To find out the 10 differences between the photos, visit coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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Spot the Differences between these photos from last month’s Masters.

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Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2013

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