Colorado PGA - Pro Peaks Magazine - August 2018

PRO PEAKS Special Awards Issue Ty Thompson, PGA Named Golf Professional of the Year

Colorado PGA Earns 2018 PGA of America Herb Graffis Award

Pro Peaks is the official digital publication of the Colorado PGA August 2018

The Official Magazine of the Colorado PGA Pro Peaks is produced by the Colorado PGA

Colorado PGA Officers Ty Thompson, PGA President | 2017-2018 Crosshairs Consulting

West Chapter Officers

Ed Marzec, PGA President | 2017-2018 Country Club of the Rockies

Ben Welsh, PGA Vice-President | 2017-2018 Frost Creek Golf Club

Jeff Boyer, PGA Secretary | 2017-2018 Eagle Ranch Golf Course

Jim Hajek, PGA Secretary | 2017-2018 Fossil Trace Golf Club

Brett Gagnon, PGA | 2017-2018 Red Sky Golf Club

Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA Honorary President | 2017-2018 Murphy Creek Golf Course

Board of Directors

Andy Benson, PGA | 2017-2019 Highlands Ranch Golf Club Kyle Heyen, PGA | District 9 Dir. Hiwan Golf Club Charles ‘Vic’ Kline, PGA | Past District 9 Director Indian Tree Golf Club Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA | 2016-2018 Country Club of Colorado

Board of Directors

Luke Brosterhous | 2017-2019 Catamount Ranch and Club Jacques Deyoe, PGA | 2017-2019 Aspen Glen Club

Alice Plain, PGA | 2018 - 2020 Vail Golf Club

Bill Keller Lieutenant Colonel USAF, Retired

CJ Rhyne, PGA | 2016-2018 GJ Golf

Bob Lally Chief of Staff - YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region

Steve VanDyke, PGA | 2018-2020 Aspen Glen Club

Kenny Thayer, PGA | 2019-2021 Beavercreek Golf Club Spring

Dennis Murray, PGA | 2018-2020 Valley Country Club

Colorado PGA REACH Trustees

Dave Troyer, PGA | 2016-2018 CommonGround Golf Course

Independent Directors Theo Gregory Spencer Zinn

Theo Gregory Senior Vice President - El Pomar Foundation Dominic Karaba President - Specialty Lending and Business Banking - UMB

Josh Miller, PGA | 2016-2018 GOLFTEC

Chris Swinhart, PGA | 2017-2019 Thorncreek Golf Course

Walter Glover EVP/COO - United States Olympic Endowment

Joe Kamby, PGA | 2016-2018 City of Grand Junction

Jim Miller, PGA | 2018-2020 Sonnenalp Golf Club

Bobby Quaratino, PGA | 2017-2019 West Woods Golf Course

Dr. Phil Brown President/Founder, Six Points Consulting Brad Dombaugh CEO - PSA Worldwide Corp.

Board of Director - Elect Tom Apple, PGA | 2019-2021 Country Club of the Rockies

Mike O’Donnell, PGA | 2018-2020 Fort Carson

Tom Bauerle Owner - Colorado Golf and Turf

Spencer Zinn Chairman

John Andrew Brigadier General USAF - Retired Dan Bennett Investor/Partner, Southwest Greens Management John Bond President, BOOST Performance Consulting Agent, ReMax Urban Properties Anne Broholm CEO | AHEAD

George Lee Managing Director – Investments Wells Fargo Adam McDiarmid Regional Manager - Business Banking - UMB Scott McGraw VP of Employee Benefits Cherry Creek Insurance Group Honorable Sue Payton President - SCI Aerospace Inc. LTG Ed Soriano, US Army (Ret) Director, Bus. Dev. Global Land Forces - Northrop Grumman Corporation Bill Vogeney Chief Revenue Officer Ent Credit Union

Staff

Executive Director/CEO Eddie Ainsworth, PGA eainsworth@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1593 C (719) 761-6125 Assistant Executive Director Patrick Salva psalva@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1597 C (303) 246-1007 Tournament Director Justin Limon, PGA jlimon@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1588 C (720) 390-1160 Junior Golf Director Holly Champion, PGA hchampion@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1591 C (217) 232-1790 Junior Golf Coordinator Scott Minta sminta@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1590 C (630) 532-3230 Executive Assistant Annie O’Donnell adonnell@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1595 Marketing and Communications Coordinator July Malone jmalone@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1594 Career Consultant Keith Soriano, PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com C (720) 841-1006 PGA Junior League Regional Manager Anthony Vitale, PGA avitale@pgahq.com C (561) 267-1208

Colorado PGA

6630 Bear Dance Drive | Larkspur, CO 80118 P | (303) 681-0742 www.coloradopga.com Pro Peaks is distributed free to members and affiliates of the Colorado PGA eleven times per year.

The articles and other information contained within this publication are informational and do not necessarily represent the view or opinions of the Colorado PGA. The Colorado PGA assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made for or by any product in this publication whether reported or advertised. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the Colorado PGA is prohibited.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

What’s Inside

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President’s Report Have You Heard the News?! We’ve ALL Won!!!

Membership News Member Update Executive Director’s Report Simply the Best!

District Director Report/PGA of America News Bevacqua Steps Down, PGA Jr. League and PGA Championship Career News Championships, Change and Careers Colorado PGA News 2018 Colorado PGA Special Award Winners Revealed President Thompson Named Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year Fall Teaching and Coaching Workshop Returning After Successful Launch Colorado Section Recipient of 2018 Herb Graffis Award Merchandising Matters!

Colorado PGA REACH News USAF Wings of Blue Descend from Sky to Kick-off Colorado PGA REACH Invitational Tournament News Lanting Claims Biggest Win of Young Career at NCR Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship Bradley Wins Pradera Pro-Am; Mother Nature Wins PM Start OMEGA Player of the Year List Junior News Drive, Chip and Putt Soars to New Heights in 2018 Match Play Champs Double Dipping

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Important Information Colorado PGA Professional Championship

TPC Colorado September 10-12, 2018

Deadline to Register - Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Colorado PGA Women’s Championship The Ranch Country Club August 22-23, 2018 Deadline to Register - August 17, 2018

Colorado PGA West Chapter Championship Aspen Glen Club October 2-3, 2018 Deadline to Register - September 27, 2018

Consider Joining a Colorado PGA Committee I

n 2016, in order to give more of our PGA Members the opportunity to get involved and engaged, the Colorado PGA moved to a two year commitment for all committees, except for the Awards Committee where the previous year’s winners select the current year’s winners. This time frame conincides with the term of the President of the Colorado PGA and our hope is that more of our Colorado PGA Members will want to participate and get more involved in the governance of our Section. If you are interested in serving on a committee, listed below, please click here to submit your name for consideration.

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Education Committee Junior Golf/JGAC Committee Tournament Committee Member Engagement Committee

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

President’s Message

Have You Heard the News?!

We’ve ALL Won!!!

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ave you heard the great news? You have won the PGA of America’s Herb Graffis award! This award is given to a section that has shown outstanding growth in the area of player development. Although I will have the honor to receive this award at the annual meeting in November, the award belongs to each one of you. For all those who have taught Golf in Schools, for all those involved in Drive, Chip & Putt, for those who taught at the FLAME program, for those who played in the Ivy Pro-Am or the Colorado PGA REACH Invitational, and for all the other ways you supported an effort to promote and grow the game — This is your award!

You have won the PGA of America’s Herb Graffis award!

Ty Thompson, PGA President Colorado PGA Consultant Crosshairs Consulting ty.thompson@pga.com P | (303) 918-9270

Speaking of awards, I am looking forward to celebrating our Colorado award winners in just a few short months. As the Section President, I had the distinct honor and joy of calling the award winners. It is enjoyable to hear the shock, awe, appreciation, disbelief, etc. in each of their voices. The best part of those calls is they are my friends in the business. Over the years I have seen each of the winners grow, mature, and develop as leaders in their spheres of influence. Whether a teacher, merchandiser, mentor, player, or a lifetime type award winner, we are proud to have each of you in our Section and I am humbled to share the stage with you and receive the Golf Professional of the Year award. This award, in many ways, will always represent an amazing decade of service to the section, personal growth in education and experience, the expansion of an incredible network of people, and the result of all the moments someone believed in me and extended an opportunity.

Recently I was able to watch the closing holes of the National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship. Ben Lanting had an impressive birdie-birdie finish to capture the title against a very strong field. He, along with the other qualifiers, will get the chance to tee it up in Florida in the National Assistants Championship. Good luck to each of you!

It is going to be exciting to attend the CPGA Women’s Championship and Senior Championship as those champions are going to earn their way to the PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship and the adidas Invitational, respectively. I will see each of you, playing in these championships, over the next few weeks.

Our annual opportunity to make a journey to play in the PGA Championship will take place at the newly opened TPC of Colorado. This will be a highly contested competition and I am looking forward to handing the hardware and the winning check to the victor — until then, my best to all of you!

Sincerely,

Ty Thompson, PGA President Colorado Section PGA ty.thompson@pga.com P | (303) 918-9270

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Membership News

Membership News An update on our Colorado PGA Members By the Numbers Members - 744 Associates - 115 Total - 859 11th out of 41 Sections 107 – Management positions (MP, A-4, A-9, A-11, A-13) 312 – Club Professionals (A-1, A-2, A-7, A-8) 107 – Instructors (A=6, A-10, A-12, A-14) 23 – Expanded Career Paths (A-15 thru A-24) 118 – Life Members (LM, LMM, LMA, LMMA) 77 – Other Categories (A-3, A-5, HM, IN, F, RM)

New Members

The Colorado PGA welcomes new members and associates to our Section on a regular basis. For some, this is the first time they have joined our Section while others may be returning. Please join us in welcoming them!

Cassius Dinkel, PGA | A-8 | Cherry Creek Country Club

Dillon Pierson, PGA | A-6 | GOLFTEC - DTC

Liz McCabe, PGA | A-8 | Red Sky Golf Club

Class Changes

Jamie Gordon, PGA | A-11 | UCCS Golf Management | previously at Pinehurst Country Club

Quarter Century

Mark Kelbel, PGA | A-1 | The Broadmoor | July 31, 2018 Kenny Anderson, PGA | A-14 | Pelican Lakes G&CC | July 31, 2018 Brian Lavendar, PGA | LM | July 31, 2018

New Associates

The Colorado PGA welcomes our newly registered associates. Associates in the PGA of America are responsible for upholding the mission of the PGA, to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

Gabriel Dirksen | B-8 | Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course

Mark Franz | B-8 | Saddle Rock Golf Course

Transfers to the Colorado PGA

Kelly Sardela | B-8 | Omni-Interlocken Resort | previously at Barton Creek Golf Club in the S. Texas Section

Transfers out of the Colorado PGA

Members move on to other Sections on a regular basis. Please join us in sending our best wishes to these Members or Apprentices who have moved on.

John Reilley, PGA | A-6 | previously at Cheyenne Country Club | currently at TopGolf – Virginia Beach

Kevin Terarda, PGA | A-6 | previously at Eisenhower Golf Club | currently at GOLFTEC - Irvine

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Executive Director’s Message

Simply the Best!

My Fellow Members,

Each year at this time the Colorado Section recognizes our Best of the Best with our Annual Special Award Winners, and each year without fail I am truly impressed by what our Colorado PGA Professionals accomplish.

For Members from my generation, we hold in very high esteem people like Warren Smith, Dow Finsterwald, Vic Kline, Paul Ransom, Ann Finke, Gene Miranda, Clayton Cole, Tom Apple, Scott Erwin, and, taking the risk of offending someone that I haven’t mentioned yet, please let me just say that this list could keep going on and on for myself and many of us.

And today’s generation of Special Award Winners will be held in the same high esteem later in their careers, as I truly believe that Colorado PGA Professionals are the best in the business! So when you are recognized by your peers and selected by previous year’s award winners, it is indeed quite an accomplishment! My congratulations to each and every one of you on being selected as one of the Best of the Best in the Colorado PGA.

Eddie Ainsworth, PGA CEO/Executive Director Colorado PGA eainsworth@pgahq.com

I also want to express my gratitude and thanks for being able to work for each and every one of you as your Executive Director. It is such a joy and with great pride to see that our Colorado PGA Professionals are being recognized as the leaders in growing the game throughout the entire PGA of America. Being recognized for the second time in eight years with the PGA of America’s Herb Graffis Award is something quite special, but when you look at what all our Colorado PGA Professionals are doing to grow the game, maybe it just makes sense.

In Colorado, we just seem to do it different here. Just take a look at the way our Section collaborates with our Allied Associations and Partners, checking our logos at the door, and working together for the best interests for all of golf in Colorado.

To put it quite simply, our Colorado PGA Professionals, along with our Allied Associations and Partners, are Simply The Best!!!

Congratulations again to our 2018 Colorado Award Winners. Enjoy the experience!

Thanks for the opportunity to serve.

All the Best,

Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director/CEO Colorado PGA 6630 Bear Dance Drive Larkspur, CO 80118 eainsworth@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1593 C (719) 761-6125

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Colorado PGA News

Picture This!

The Wings of Blue Air Force Academy jump team circle above The Golf Club at Bear Dance before landing on the driving range tee to deliver the keys to the fourth mortgage-free home the Colorado PGA REACH Foundation has given to a combat wounded veteran in the last three years.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

August 2018 - Awards Issue

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PGA of America News

Bevacqua Steps Down, PGA Jr League and PGA Championship I

hope this finds everyone well and enjoying a great golf season. It’s been rather warm up here in Idaho, so we started experiencing the “dog days of summer” a little earlier than usual. It has been a good season, nonetheless.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the news that our CEO, Pete Bevacqua, is leaving the PGA of America. Pete has resigned to become president of the NBC Sports Group. His resignation is effective Monday, August 13, upon the conclusion of the 2018 PGA Championship.

With the PGA of America well-positioned for continued success, Pete departs with our gratitude and best wishes to him and his family.

The Board of Directors has approved a leadership transition plan with Chief Membership Officer John Easterbrook, PGA, acting as interim CEO. During this time, we will look internally and externally to find a longterm CEO.

Ron Rawls, PGA District 9 Director PGA of America Head Professional Crane Creek CC

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Pete served as the CEO for close to six years, and in that time he oversaw many important and critical changes, including the move of the PGA Championship to May (beginning in 2019).

Under Pete’s leadership, we advanced our mission to grow the game and serve our members in many ways: We developed and implemented a long-term strategic growth plan; made major enhancements in the career consulting and professional development of PGA Members, including establishing life-long learning in three career tracks and creating the Chief Membership Officer position; reached a recordsetting Ryder Cup agreement with NBC; alongside the LPGA, led the creation of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship as the cornerstone of our diversity and inclusion efforts; and set in motion the path to the development of a new headquarters our Association.

In addition, we took ownership of PGA Jr. League and created an effective way to introduce boys and girls to the game in a fun, team format. Our charitable foundation, PGA REACH, is impacting more lives through golf than ever before by enabling access to PGA Professionals and this great game. A lot has been accomplished in Pete’s time here, and as I stated above, we do owe him a lot of gratitude.

Next week, the 100th PGA Championship takes place at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. It will truly be a historic event and hopefully many of you will have the opportunity to attend. It will be the final Championship held in August (for a while at least!), as the event moves to May in 2019 with the Championship being contested at Bethpage Black on Long Island.

These are exciting times for the PGA of America. The Board is committed to continuing the momentum of recent years while also embracing new ways to grow the game and serve our Members. Upcoming priorities include maintaining our member-centric approach to pursuing our mission; flawlessly executing the move of the PGA Championship to May and completing our next PGA Championship media agreement in 2020; and finalizing plans for and opening a transformational new PGA of America headquarters facility.

I look forward to the work involved in executing these priorities, including the process of the search for a new CEO. I encourage all of you to please contact me if you have any questions and I will keep you informed as to the progress of each of these items.

I hope to see you in St. Louis, and good luck for the rest of your season!

Respectfully, Ron Rawls, PGA District 9 Director PGA of America Head Professional Crane Creek CC

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

August 2018 - Awards Issue

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Career News

Championships, Change and Careers I

t’s Championship Season and we’ve all heard the saying, “Champions are made in the off season.” Which begs the question: What have you been doing in your off season and down time to become a champion in your career? It’s up to you to invest in yourself and to take charge of your career. I’m happy to come along side you and offer support and guidance along the way.

Below, you’ll find some articles that I’ve found useful when considering a career in the golf business. Some of these topics are very timely, like dealing with change at the top of the organization, as we’ll see with Pete Bevacqua’s departure from the PGA; and some are persistent, like leveraging player development and social media to further your career and tell your story. I’d love the chance to sit down with you, or your team, to discuss how these topics apply at your facility and in your career.

Enjoy OUR PGA Championship this week and please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any assistance.

Management and Leadership 3 Moves Smart People Make When They Get a New Boss “A chance for you to grow and get ahead”

By Sara McCord - From The Muse Instruction and Player Development New Home on the Range Short courses are popping up in unexpected locations

By Tom Mackin - From The National Golf Foundation

Keith Soriano, PGA, is a PGA Career Services Consultant serving the Colorado and Utah Sections. He can be reached at (720) 841-1006 or ksoriano@ pgahq.com.

Marketing and Social Media 11 Tips for Keeping up with Social Media News & Trends “We feel your pain, and we’re here to help”

By Sophia Bernazzani - From Hubspot

Career Development Work Ethic - Does Anyone Have It? “Each generation’s view of what “work” is and means, directly impacts how they view work ethic”

By Anna Liotta - From LinkedIn Recommended Listening/Reading Permission & SEO & Blogs “Anticipated, personal and relevant messages to people who want to get them. Drip by drip, day by day”

By Seth Godin - From Akimbo Keith Soriano, PGA ksoriano@pgahq.com C | (720) 841-1006 PGA Career Services

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

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Colorado PGA News

2018 Colorado PGA Special Award Winners Revealed

by Judy Malone

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his is the time of year when the Section gets to acknowledge this year’s best-of-the-best. The Awards Committee of the Colorado PGA worked through the multi-phased, challenging and rewarding undertaking of selecting this year’s slate of Colorado PGA Award recipients.

“As chair of the Colorado PGA Awards Committee, I had the opportunity to preside over the very challenging and inspirational process of selecting this year’s award winners,” comments Jim Hajek, PGA Head Professional as Fossil Trace Golf Club. “Challenging from the perspective that arriving at a final decision is always extremely difficult, as each candidate is outstanding. Inspirational in the fact that we, as a committee, personally get to know many of our Section’s best and most accomplished PGA Members.”

Without further delay…

Ty Thompson, PGA Crosshairs Consulting Golf Professional of the Year Ty Thompson, PGA, President of the Colorado Section, is being awarded the highest honor given annually by the Colorado PGA – Golf Professional of the Year. Becoming a golf professional fulfilled Thompson’s childhood dream while receiving this award greatly surpasses anything he could have ever imagined. His career included time at D’Lance Golf, Valley Country Club, Pinery Country Club, Cherry Hills Country Club and Colorado Springs Country Club before launching Crosshairs Consulting in 2017. His advice to other Professionals is to engage in the industry and get involved in a manner that fits your current life cycle.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News Dan Sniffin, PGA Ed Marzec, PGA Omni Interlocken Resort Country Club of the Rockies Teacher of the Year Assistant Professional of the Year A PGA Member since 2011, Dan Sniffin, PGA, Director of Instruction at Omni Interlocken Resort, will receive the Teacher of the Year Award.

Entering his thirteenth year as a full-time instructor, the first eight were with GolfTEC, his philosophy has evolved and adapted over time, moving away from strict methods and towards functionality when it comes to helping a player.

Having taught more than 20,000 lessons, the one thing he has learned for sure is that there is always more to learn.

Stuart Bruening, PGA The Golf Club at Bear Dance Bill Strausbaugh Award A 30-year veteran member of the PGA, Stuart Bruening, PGA, is being honored with the Bill Strausbaugh Award – an award presented to a PGA member who has shown outstanding integrity and a commitment to mentoring PGA Professionals. Bruening found the love of the game with his father and brother on a 9-hole golf course in the small town of Superior, Neb. Fast forward a few years and you will see his impact on nine golf operations worldwide that he personally designed, built, owned and operated while employing more than 350 PGA Members and Apprentices over this wonderful journey.

His passion every day is to motivate, lead, train and mentor every PGA professional in his stead to provide exceptional golf opportunities and create memorable life-long experiences.

The 2018 Colorado Assistant Professional of the Year Award goes to Ed Marzec II, PGA, Assistant Professional at the Country Club of the Rockies. He started his journey to becoming a PGA Professional as a caddie at Eagle Springs Golf Club before moving on to other positions in the high country. Marzec has been active in the leadership of the West Chapter, currently serving as its President and has been elected to the Colorado Board of Directors. He represents the many hats of a PGA Professional while acting with integrity, being fiscally responsible, working as a mentor, a teacher and a promoter of the game of golf. He is considered a leader at both the Country Club of the Rockies and Beaver Creek Snow Sports School, where he is a Professional Ski Instructor. He strives to live by the laws of empowerment, respect and process.

Ben Welsh, PGA Frost Creek Club Horton Smith Award The Horton Smith Award recognizes a Colorado PGA member for their outstanding and continuing contributions in developing and improving educational opportunities for the PGA golf professional. This year’s recipient is Ben Welsh, PGA, Head Professional at Frost Creek Club and VicePresident of the Colorado Section. When Welsh achieved PGA Membership in 2003, he became completely invested in the PGA Education programs. He has since completed three of the Certified Professional Certificates, as well as achieved PGA Master Professional in General Management. He believes that he represents the image of the PGA Member through his commitment to life-long learning, service to the Association and community involvement.

August 2018 - Awards Issue

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Colorado PGA News Trent Wearner, PGA Kyle Heyen, PGA Trent Wearner Golf Academy Hiwan Golf Club Player Development Award Warren Smith Award Trent Wearner, PGA, Owner and Director of Instruction at the Trent Wearner Golf Academy, is the recipient of the 2018 Player Development Award. At Trent Wearner Golf Academy, going the extra mile for their students is a given and a low student to teacher ratio is the backbone to their group programs. Wearner continues to work to fill a void in new golfer programs by utilizing Get Golf Ready and other programs like Women in Golf Day and Family Golf Month. The program has logged increased growth each year in both its adult programs as well as its junior programs. Wearner considers his ability to get all of his students onto the course one of the most important assets of his program.

The Warren Smith Award is given to a PGA Professional for his/her outstanding contributions to the game and to the section. Appropriately, the highly decorated Kyle Heyen, PGA, Head Professional at Hiwan Golf Club, is the 2018 recipient of this award. Heyen has served Hiwan Golf Club for the last 30 years and the Colorado Section and the PGA of American for more than 20 years. His goal at the club has always been to provide the best service and to create an appropriate environment to introduce the game of golf. As a Section leader, his objective was to create continuity on the Board, engaging them to become active, speak their mind and make a decision in the best interest of the PGA Member and the Colorado Section. He has been successful at both levels.

Erin Diegel, PGA Jake O’Dell, PGA Legacy Ridge Golf Course The Club at Flying Horse Youth Player Development Award Private Merchandiser of the Year With a passion for anything and everything kids, Erin Diegel, PGA, Assistant Golf Professional at Legacy Ridge Golf Course, is being named the 2018 Youth Player Development Award Winner.

Diegal found her niche in player development from the beginning of her career. She enjoyed watching players improve and find their own love for the game. Diegal has never shied away from being the first to try something new.

Her energy, commitment to the game and pleasure of serving people has allowed her to be immersed in the game she loves.

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The Private Merchandiser of the Year is being awarded to Jake O’Dell, PGA, Head Professional at The Club at Flying Horse. His merchandising philosophy consists of anticipating the wants and needs of his members while offering a oneof-a-kind shopping experience that meets the member’s expectations. Besides its membership, O’Dell reaches out to corporate and charity groups that utilize the facility to increase sales, offering welcome gifts, custom apparel and meeting gifts.

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News Jeff Hanson, PGA Red Sky Golf Club Resort Merchandiser of the Year Three-time recipient of the Resort Merchandiser of the Year Award, Jeff Hanson, PGA, Director of Golf at Red Sky Golf Club, will again be recognized for his success in this area in 2018. His merchandising philosophy is to provide quality goods and services at a reasonable price, an unlimited premium selection and top-level member-like service to a high end resort clientele. Although his staff is seasonal, they have remained in place for many years continuing to operate and create lasting, loyal, trustworthy relationships with our customers, thereby increasing sales each season.

Brian Carlson, PGA Walnut Creek Golf Preserve Public Merchandiser of the Year Head Professional at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, Brian Carlson, PGA, will be receiving the 2018 Public Merchandiser of the Year Award. Coming off a property rebranded in 2017, Carlson sold off the old logo merchandise to make room for new logo merchandise, starting fresh as if he was opening for the first time. Carlson believes his success isn’t simply just based on volume and revenue but in knowing his market, what his position is in the market and how it aligns with the facilities vision/mission.

Note The following awards will be selected at a later date based on their playing performance.

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OMEGA Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year

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OMEGA Senior Player of the Year

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Associate Player of the Year

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Women’s Player of the Year

The following awards will be selected at a later date by the Colorado PGA Board of Directors.

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Todd Phipers Media Awards

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President’s Awards

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Charles “Vic” Kline Award

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Colorado PGA News

President Thompson Named Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year

by Judy Malone

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y Thompson, PGA, has been selected as the 2018 Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year.

This highest honor given annually by the Colorado PGA goes to a member for their overall performance including leadership, service and promotion of the game of golf.

“For me, this is a humbling experience,” starts Thompson. “I think back to my dream as a young kid of wanting to be a golf professional and it never crossed my mind that I could be an officer of a Section or win an award like this.

“When one receives this kind of recognition, you realize how much the people around you have helped get you to this point. It represents a lot of collaboration and mentoring. I didn’t win this award without the help of some great mentors nor without taking the time to be a mentor to others. I feel that this is truly ‘A Family of Professionals Award.’”

Young Thompson began his dedication to the game of golf at the age of 10 when his grandfather took him to his first golf clinic. At the early age of 13, the city course in Southern Idaho became his safe-haven, his foundation and his stability where he carefully crafted his future. He intended to finish high school, enlist in the military, go to a 4-year university and then become a golf professional. Throughout high school, he spent his summers opening the golf shop first thing in the morning and playing golf until the sun went down. Thompson credits PGA Professional Earl Simpson for the opportunity to learn about the industry during these early years.

As plans go, he was on track to accomplish them while playing on the All Army Golf Team, where, in Germany in 1993, they won the European Championship. However, after one season on the Boise State Golf Team, Thompson laid down his clubs to focus his time serving in Christian ministry. It wasn’t until he was 29, married with a child and one on the way, that he got the nagging feeling that if he didn’t at least try to become a golf professional, he would

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later regret that he had never followed his dream. Thus, he began rebuilding of his golf career by enrolling in the PGA/ PGM apprentice program and getting his MBA from Liberty University.

He would earn his PGA membership just 24 months later and go on to become a Certified Professional in Golf Operations.

With a passion for green-grass facilities, in 2005, he decided to leave his role as Director of Operations at D’Lance Golf and take his first assistant golf professional position working under PGA Professionals Hank Hough and Barry Milstead at Valley Country Club. He would move on to spend valuable time as the First Assistant under Don Graham, PGA, at the Pinery Country Club before landing at Cherry Hills Country Club under the tutelage of Clayton

Thompson on stage during the 2016 Special Awards Gala.

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA REACH News Cole, PGA. During his three years at Cherry Hills, he would see Cole retire and get the opportunity to work for another decorated PGA Professional, John Ogden.

“I had the opportunity to work at some wonderful places for some great professionals,” says Thompson. “I learned something different at each Club and was fortunate to serve my final assistant position at Cherry Hills, a place I have long called the Harvard of the Golf Business.”

In fact, Thompson Ty Thompson, PGA, received his first Colorado PGA Award in 2006 when he was honored with the Assistant Professional of the Year by Valley CC Head Professional Barry Milstead, PGA. recalls that one of the most valuable and for the Club was due to these two Professionals. pieces of advice he received in his career was from They had my back and executed our operational Cole. Specializing in private member-owned clubs, strategies with precision and consistency. I take great Cole coached him on the importance of always satisfaction in stepping aside so the two of them could treating members the same; basing decisions on the be elevated to take the lead on a day-to-day basis.” issue rather than on the member, has served him well throughout his career.

In addition, Thompson was proud of his Colorado Springs Country Club team for being awarded the In 2010, he accepted the Head Golf Professional Private Merchandiser of the Year Award in 2011. In position at Colorado Springs Country Club. His success 18 months, they completed a hands-on golf shop in the golf operation led to being promoted to Director renovation and were able to assemble and train an of Golf with greater influence and leadership in food exceptional team that redefined the culture of service and beverage, strategic planning, training and talent at the Club. development, as well as grounds maintenance. In 2017, with 15 years of operations experience, he launched “We weren’t the biggest club, we weren’t the most Crosshairs Consulting LLC. With a mission to identify prestigious club and we didn’t sell the most goods, but areas of waste and implement strategies of lean we had a dream for what it could be and the support management, he is continuing to provide guidance to of our PGA General Manager, Kevin Sanger. In the PGA Professionals and their operations. end, the improvement we achieved accorded us this recognition,” remembers Thompson.

When asked about his proudest moments as a golf professional, Thompson shared two thoughts. “Any Being President of the Colorado Section has been an time I was able to help my apprentices or members honor for Thompson. The engagement of successful attain that next level of education was rewarding to business and military leaders to become Trustees for me. In fact, watching both of my assistants win the the Colorado PGA REACH Foundation represents a Assistant Professional of the Year Award was very phenomenal accomplishment during his tenure as an special; being a mentor to them through those critical officer. He also considers automating and providing growth years has great meaning for me.” greater access and communication flow with the Colorado PGA Board of Directors a great success.

His consulting contract has allowed him to continue the mentorship with the now PGA Head Professional “I think the Colorado Section has one of the highest Beau Smith, and PGA Tournament Professional/ functioning Boards in the entire PGA of America,” touts First Assistant Brad Gannaway. He proudly shared, Thompson. “The focus on training our Board along with “Everything I was able to do for the Colorado Section the investment of time and money over the last three

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Colorado PGA REACH News

years has afforded us enormous results. The latest news of winning the 2018 Herb Graffis Award is a great testament to the vision of our Board and the program execution by our staff and PGA Members.”

Speaking of staff, making deliberate and strategic modifications to attract and retain talented employees at the Section office has been a priority.

Being able to keep the talent we have in Eddie Ainsworth, PGA, Executive Director, and Patrick Salva, Assistant Executive Director, along with consistency among the other staff members, permits the Section the ability to function at the level it does, according to Thompson.

As the recipient of the Colorado PGA Golf Professional of the Year, Thompson shares the following insight to his fellow PGA Professionals: INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 21: Ty Thompson, PGA Colorado Section, during the 98th PGA Annual Meeting at The JW Marriott in “The life cycle of a golf professional is a journey.

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on Friday, November 21, 2014. (Photo by Different aspects of the association manifest Montana Pritchard/The PGA of America) themselves in this journey at various times.

There was a time I played 25+ tournaments a year and now I may play less than five. Either way, I am proud of our tournament program and have been involved on the governance side of tournaments. The same goes for volunteering your time or your involvement in the Foundation. The point is, I encourage all Members to be engaged in whatever manner fits your current life situation. As a Colorado PGA Member or Associate, I hope you take pride in all the programs and services we deliver!”

“This award is a huge honor for me. Thank you,” concludes Thompson. “As PGA Professionals, we have a great opportunity to make a difference in our communities whether it is at our kid’s school or through business organizations. By getting and staying involved, we make a positive impact in those we meet through the game of golf while, at the same time, strengthening the brand of the PGA.”

Fall Teaching and Coaching Workshop Returning After Successful Launch A

fter a successful first year, the Colorado PGA is happy to announce that the second Colorado PGA Fall Teaching Workshop will take place this October 4, 2018 at Fossil Trace Golf Club. The event, modelled after the trendy TEDTalks, features select Colorado PGA Professionals giving 30-minute presentations on a topic of their choosing.

There will be six total presenters before the group hosts a collective Q&A Session. The presenters are as follows: • • • • • •

Brad Skupaka, PGA | GOLFTEC Steve Atherton, PGA | Eagle Springs Golf Club Jason Witczak, PGA | The Club at Pradera Ann Finke, PGA | The Country Club of Colorado Jaime MacDonald, PGA | Highlands Ranch Golf Club Presenter 6 - TBA

For more information and to register, please click here.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News

Colorado Section Recipient of 2018 Herb Graffis Award

by Judy Malone

R

ecognized for its tireless dedication towards growing the game of golf and furthering player development, both in its community and on a national level, through the enrichment of its many successful programs, it was announced today that the Colorado PGA Section is the recipient of the 2018 Herb Graffis Award. The Herb Graffis Award is a sought-after honor among the PGA of America Sections.

"Your Section's commitment to excellence; devotion to the game of golf; and dedication to the PGA of America is exceptional," said Randy Hunt, PGA, CPGA Special Awards Committee Chair.

Responding to the announcement, Colorado President Ty Thompson, PGA, stated, “Every now and again I have to pause and stop to take a moment so I can process all that the Colorado PGA Professionals do to serve our local communities and grow the game of golf."

Colorado PGA National Award Winners

1958 Player of the Year

Dow Finsterwald, PGA 1973 Golf Professional of the Year

Warren Smith, PGA 1976 Horton Smith Award

Jim Bailey, PGA 1977 Horton Smith Award

Paul Runyan, PGA 1990 Private Merchandiser of the Year

Keith Schneider, PGA 1997 Junior Golf Leader

Alan Abrams, PGA 1999 Teacher of the Year

Mike McGetrick, PGA 2000 Golf Professional of the Year

Vic Kline, PGA 2003 Resort Merchandiser of the Year

Russ Miller, PGA 2007 Junior Golf Leader

Danny Harvanek, PGA 2008 Bill Strausbaugh Award

Clayton Cole, PGA 2009 Presidents Plaque Award

Kyle Heyen, PGA 2010 Junior Golf Leader

Ann Finke, PGA 2011 Herb Graffis Award

Colorado Section PGA 2012 Private Merchandiser of the Year

George Kahrhoff, PGA 2012 Public Merchandiser of the Year

Dale Smigelsky, PGA 2015 Public Merchandiser of the Year

Jim Hajek, PGA 2017 Public Merchandiser of the Year

Mark Pfingston, PGA 2018 Herb Graffis Award

Colorado Section PGA

Colorado has the best story of all to tell about collaboration by leading the way in teaming up with other state golf organizations. Led by President Thompson, the Colorado PGA has made tremendous strides in player development through dynamic programs geared towards youth development, supporting our military, and diversity and inclusion.

The Section’s Golf in Schools program, a joint effort between the Section and the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, has become a staple in many districts, introducing the game to more than 10,000 school-age kids each year in gym class. The Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado – a partnership the Colorado PGA initiated with the Colorado Golf Association and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association – serves as a vehicle in the arena of junior golf in the state of Colorado for parents, kids, coaches and PGA Professionals by streamlining the junior golf process, filling in the voids, further building the junior golf ranks and creating new excitement with four Major Championships. PGA Junior League continues to thrive with more than 132 teams and over 2,000 boys and girls, 13 and under taking part.

Our PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program has expanded to seven chapters using golf as a rehabilitation tool to help Veterans assimilate back into society. The section hosts the annual Colorado PGA REACH Invitational, awarding a Combat Wounded Veteran a debt-free home through its partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

The Section has partnered with the U.S. Olympic Committee’s F.L.A.M.E (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) to introduce the game to minority college students creating a culture of inclusiveness while demonstrating the benefits of golf as an affordable and accessible game for all abilities, ages and backgrounds.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of what the Colorado PGA Professionals are doing day-in and day-out to make a difference in the lives of others through the game of golf at their facilities and in their communities.

A list of all the 2018 PGA of America Award Winners is available here.

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Colorado PGA News

“Find a Mentor” Advises Charles “Vic” Kline on Election to Half-Century Club I

t’s not everyday that a member earns recognition as a Half Century member. In fact, the Colorado PGA only has ten members that have earned Half Century status by being a member of fifty years. That group grew by one this month as Charles “Vic” Kline officially earned his way into the venerable club.

After graduating from the University of New Mexico, he taught in the Albuquerque Public School System from 1961-1964. In addition, Kline also served his country in the U.S. Airforce during this period of his life.

When asked what advice he could give to current PGA Professionals, he quickly stated, “There are three things. First, find a mentor that can help you along your journey. Second, be an expert in the entire industry.

Learn everything you can about the business including every aspect of the game, food and beverage, what the superintendent does…everything. Make yourself valuable and grow with the game. And finally, be involved in the Association. Don’t let yourself be an outsider looking in.”

In 1964, Kline began his professional golf career as the Head Professional at the Albuquerque San Mateo Golf Center and three years later he was working at the Adams County Golf Course in Colorado.

In 1970, he became the Director of Golf at the Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada.

Kline was born in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1935. He graduated from Buffalo (Minn.) High School in 1953 and the University of New Mexico -- where he lettered in both basketball and golf -- in 1961. He won two New Mexico State Amateur Championships and one New Mexico Publinks Championship. Kline also played on the New Mexico Fall staffers AAU basketball team and in the National AAU Championship.

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Kline won the Colorado Open in 1968 and was a fivetime Colorado PGA

Vic Kline marches up the fairway during the 1968 Colorado Open at Hiwan Golf Club. Kline would go on to win the event.

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News

Player of the Year. He won the Rocky Mountain Open in 1977 and the Colorado Open Match Play Championship in 1978.

Kline has been actively involved with the administration of the PGA of America, serving as national chairman of several committees and as district director from 1985-87 and 1996-99. Locally, he was president of the Colorado PGA in 1975, 1978, 1983, 1991 and 1992.

Vic’s Junior Golf Program at Indian Tree, under the direction of then-assistant Alan Abrams, was named the best in the nation at a municipal facility by Golf Digest in 1988.

“In order to keep the decline of the game of golf from getting any worse, it is necessary to get juniors into the game. That was always a focus at the clubs I served,” shared Kline. “I am seeing a number of courses doing things that keep the family together and get them all involved in the game. I think this is the future of golf.”

Current Colorado PGA Half-Century Members Dale Douglass, PGA Dow H. Finsterwald Sr., PGA Richard J. Hartman, PGA Charles V. Kline, PGA William F. Lawe, PGA Michael J. Passmore, PGA Paul D. Ransom, PGA Donald A. Fox, PGA Winston A. Howe Jr., PGA

Bill A. Majure, PGA Vic has been the recipient of several Colorado PGA Awards including Bill M. VerBrugge, PGA the Horton Smith Award, Bill Strausbaugh Award, the President’s Award, Warren Smith Award, Golf Professional of the Year and the Vic Kline Leadership Award. In addition to being inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, he was awarded the organization’s Golf Person of the Year Award in 2001.

In 2000, Vic was presented the National PGA of America Golf Professional of the Year Award, and in 2005, he was inducted into the PGA of America Golf Professional Hall of Fame.

“One of the biggest contrasts I see in golf from when I started to today is that it has become more of a business than a fraternal organization. Golf professionals today have the added pressure from management to increase revenue,” concluded Kline. “In my day, we owned our own golf shops and the chances we took had a direct impact on our business. Today, professionals have become employees and must pay attention to what their boss and the corporate office want, taking away the self-entrepreneurial nature we were able to exhibit.”

Join us in congratulating Lifetime Member Vic Kline for his accomplishment in reaching the Half Century PGA Member club.

Kline (pictured above, bottom row - second from left) along with a number of prominent Colorado PGA Professionals as part of the 1971 Colorado Cup team. Also pictured (in no particular order) are Bob Hold, Bill Majure, Tony Novitsky, Dow Finsterwald, Warren Smith and many others.

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Colorado PGA News

Quarter Century Club

Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member

PGA Members who have served the PGA of America with honor and pride for 25 years are elected to the Quarter Century Club. Their steadfast promotion of our great sport is recognized with a letter from the PGA President, a special Quarter Century Club certificate and a gold Quarter Century Club lapel pin.

Bob Persichetti, PGA

Head Golf Professional | Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Northglenn, CO What was your first introduction to the game of golf?

A friend of mine took me out to play the Par 3 course at Hyland Hills GC when I was 16 years old and I was instantly hooked.

Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional?

While attending college in San Diego, I worked at a golf course to make a little money. I enjoyed being around golf and the challenges of the business. The PGA professional on staff took me under his wing and the rest is history.

What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional?

Being a part of such a great game that impacts so many people in so many different ways.

What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity?

Mission Trails GC (Assistant Professional), Steele Canyon GC (Assistant Professional), Las Vegas National GC (Head Professional), Desert Lakes GC (General Manager), Tatum Ranch GC (General Manager), Arrowhead GC (General Manager), Canterberry GC – now Black Bear (Regional Manager), Pinery CC (General Manager), Red Hawk Ridge GC (General Manager/Head Professional) What do you feel is the most meaningful contribution to the game of golf you have made?

It always goes back to junior golf for me. After 25 years as a PGA member, it’s rewarding to see the juniors evolve into golfers of all levels.

What hobbies do you have outside of golf?

Anything with my 11-year-old son (fly fishing, backpacking, hiking, biking, etc.)

If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why?

My grandpa (because I never had the chance to meet him), my dad (because he can’t play anymore due to Parkinson’s) and my son (because he doesn’t like golf yet) – 4 generations in the same foursome would be pretty cool too!

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News

Quarter Century Club

Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member

PGA Members who have served the PGA of America with honor and pride for 25 years are elected to the Quarter Century Club. Their steadfast promotion of our great sport is recognized with a letter from the PGA President, a special Quarter Century Club certificate and a gold Quarter Century Club lapel pin.

Mark Kelbel, PGA

Head Golf Professional | The Broadmoor Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

What was your first introduction to the game of golf?

I was introduced to the game of golf by my Father and Grandfather both of whom were Professionals.

Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf Professional?

I chose to become a PGA professional because I loved working at the golf course as a kid.

What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional?

I love the positive influence we can be on our respective communities and the people that work with us.

What golf facilities have you been employed at and in what capacity?

I have basically worked for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island Michigan for the decade of the 90�s and the Broadmoor for the last 18 years. I was an Assistant at Hole in the Wall Golf Club in Naples Florida in 1991,1992 and 1993.

What do you feel is the most meaningful contribution to the game of golf you have made?

My most meaningful contribution to golf are all of the interns that have worked for us through the years and the mentoring that I have done for them in their careers and in their lives.

What hobbies do you have outside of golf?

My hobbies outside of golf include fly fishing, hiking and reading. I am always taking university level classes to further my education and will start a PhD program through the University of Arkansas in the summer of 2019.

If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why?

My dream foursome would be myself and my two brother and my Dad. Sadly one of my brothers and my Dad have passed.

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Colorado PGA News

Merchandising Matters!

We asked four PGA Professionals the following questions...

What brand did you carry this year that you had never carried before?

Why did you decide to carry it? What were the results?

Luke Brosterhous, PGA Director of Golf, Catamount Ranch and Club A big winner for us this year for ladies has been Lucky in Love. We sold through our spring and summer orders faster than any other line. We saw the line at the PGA Show this winter, and decided to give it a try this season. We will definitely be bringing it in next season again.

Philip Tobias, PGA Head Professional, The River Course At Keystone and Keystone Ranch

Lucky in Love

At this seasons PGA show in Orlando we discovered a new brand called Lucky in Love. We decided to give the brand a try as it is fun, flirty, unique and appeared to be a quality product with great fit and feel that our lady golfer would love. The brand has been very well received and we sold through half of the order in the first week on the floor.

Greg Bryan, PGA Head Professional, Roaring Fork Club This year we decided to carry Johnnie-O men’s clothing brand.

Johnnie-O is a brand that we’ve been visiting with for 3 years watching it evolve with the addition of Chris Knott, formerly of Peter Millar. This past year the fabrications and brand came a long way with the relocation of its surfer guy logo and a commitment to the golf business, we thought it would be a good to bring it on board.

Like any new brand there is some education of the buyer that needs to take place and my team has done a wonderful job of bringing everyone up to speed on the brand, it’s fit, and its place in their wardrobe as a lifestyle brand. Our initial shipment 72 piece shipment sold through in just less than 25 days and we’re whittling away at our second, larger shipment, now with positive results and many multiple piece purchases by our membership and their guests.

Johnnie O 26

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Rudy Zupetz, PGA

Colorado PGA News

Head Professional, Sanctuary Dunning, Stitch, FJ Women’s, and Kjus were all new brands for us. We decided to bring these brands into the shop because we wanted something new to show guests that come out to the course. It’s great to have your usual golf brands, but the new merchandise is a great way to start conversations with guests and show them more golf products in the golf industry.

All the new merchandise has been doing great for us! Guests are really happy to see Dunning back in the mix, along with the nice addition of the Women’s FootJoy. The Stitch head covers, golf bags, and garment bags are well received by guests and look amazing! Kjus is another great new golf brand that is well liked by the golfing community, not to mention the skiers that come out here know the brand very well and don’t hesitate to purchase.

KJUS

Women’s Footjoy

Stitch Golf

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Colorado PGA REACH News

USAF Wings of Blue Descend from Sky to Kick-off Colorado PGA REACH Invitational

Darnell Harrison, the combat wounded veteran who was given a mortgage-free home during the Colorado PGA REACH Invitaitonal, is pictured above with Dan Bennett and Stuart Bruening, the owners of the Golf Club at Bear Dance who sponsored this years home giveaway.

by Judy Malone

T

he trumpet sounded the National Anthem while the Air Force Academy Wings of Blue Parachute Team descended on to the driving range with the key to Army Specialist Retired Darnell Harrison’s new mortgage-free home. All of this took place during the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Colorado PGA REACH Invitational held at The Golf Club at Bear Dance in Larkspur, Colo.

As part of their ongoing commitment to give back to the communities they serve, the Colorado PGA REACH Foundation and Southwest Greens, through its Mile High Golf Trail Program, donated a mortgage-free home to a deserving combat wounded veteran. This represents the fourth home given to a combat veteran through the partnership between the REACH Foundation and the Military Warriors Support Foundation and the second home for Southwest Greens, which encompasses The GC at Bear Dance, Plum Creek GC, Colorado National GC and Riverdale GC.

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The winning team was made up of Bob Longmire, Theo Gregory, Theo Gregory Jr., PGA and Matt Cooper.

“We want to thank you for this gift – it’s overwhelming,” said a dazed Harrison. “I’m speechless and very, very grateful. I can’t say thank you enough.”

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA REACH News

Coming from a military family, it was only a matter of time before Harrison carried on the family tradition by joining the U.S. Army. From his station at Ft. Carson, he was deployed to Afghanistan multiple times as a combat infantry machine gunner and a motor vehicle operator.

His service and dedication to our country accorded Harrison many awards from a Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal to National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism and NATO Medals, to name a few.

Harrison and his fiancée Brittany, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran, have a bright future before them.

They recently gave birth to their first child, Memory. To augment his digital photography degree, Harrison has returned to school to learn about digital film-making and TV production. He aspires to make short films. Harrison will be moving into his new home in Tucson, Ariz., on August 23, 2018.

Darnell Harrison, the combat wounded veteran who was given a mortgage-free home during the Colorado PGA REACH Invitaitonal, is picutred here with Colorado PGA REACH Trustees. (l to r - Adam McDiarmid, John Andrew, Brad Dombaugh, George Lee, Sue Payton, Scott McGraw, Ben Welsh, Home Recipients Brittany Berry and Darnell Harrison, Spencer Zinn, John Bond, Bill Vogeney, Bill Keller, Bob Lally, Walter Glover, Theo Gregory and Dominic Karaba.

Present but not visible were Tom Bauerle and Dan Bennett

“After you’ve being blown-up, you want to slow your life down and enjoy every last minute you have,” concluded Harrison. “I’m very grateful to have a chance to have financial stability and to be able to raise our family in a home of our own. To have peace, joy and stability - I’m just oh so grateful.”

Walking away with the top spot in the golf tournament was PGA Professional Theo Gregory, Jr., Assistant Professional at Eisenhower Golf Club, and his team of Theo Gregory, Matt Cooper and Bob Longmire scoring 117 in the four-person shamble format.

Finishing two-strokes behind the winners at 119 for the second-place spot was Ed Marzec, PGA, Assistant Professional at Country Club of the Rockies, with Jim Thomason, Tom Svoboda and Rick Bross.

Among all the festivities and fun, the day was all about raising money for the programs of the Colorado PGA REACH Foundation. The funding raised supports the Foundation and its three pillars – Supporting Our Military, Youth Development and Diversity & Inclusion.

Mark Pfingston, PGA Head Professional at The Golf Club at Bear Dance coordinates with the jump team prior to them landing with the keys.

“I want to thank everyone involved with the Invitational from the Trustees who brought teams and the PGA Professionals who took time to play in the Tournament to the staff at The Golf Club at Bear Dance who supported the activities and those who purchased items during the live and silent auctions,” said Eddie Ainsworth, Executive Director of the Colorado Section of the PGA. “Our success is attributed to the work all of these folks do every day to make a difference in the lives of others through the game of golf.”

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Tournament News

Lanting Claims Biggest Win of Young Career at NCR Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship

by Patrick Salva

B

en Lanting had the cards stacked against him going into the final round of the National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship on Tuesday. If Lanting, an Associate Professional from Bear Creek Golf Club in Lakewood, Colo. was going to win, he’d have to take down two of the most decorated champions of the event. After posting an opening round one-under-par 71, Lanting was tied with four-time champion Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional from the Greater Golf Development Center. He was also going to have to make up three strokes over three-time champion Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course.

Lanting started this round on the right foot as he birdied the long par-5 first hole.

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“I was able to get on in two at the first,” noted Ben after the round. “That birdie helped calm me down and really helped me get off on the right foot. I made a couple other birdies and ended up three-under. I was hitting it close but wasn’t really making any crazy putts.”

Lanting used that hot start to make the turn tied with Fitzgerald, who posted an even-par 36. While he certainly had the momentum at the halfway point, Lanting had his work cut-out for him on the closing nine as the course firmed up and winds intensified.

“I ran into a little bit of trouble on the back nine. On fifteen, these greens are good but I got on the wrong side of the hole and blew it by six or seven feet. I missed that coming back and ended up with a bogey.

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Sixteen was a tough hole with the wind blowing right to left. I hit it in the bunker and couldn’t get up and down and made another bogey.”

Tournament News

At that point, Fitzgerald had taken a one-shot lead following a three-putt bogey at the par-4 13th and a birdie at the par-4 15th.

Following two bogeys, Lanting needed the momentum to swing back in his favor if he was going to have a chance against Fitzgerald. That change came at the par-5 17th hole. Fitzgerald lost his drive left and had to settle for a two-putt par after missing a 20-foot birdie putt. Lanting Lanting had this short birdie putt at the par-4 18th hole to win the 2018 National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship however was able to get home in two and made a routine twoFlorida. putt birdie to pull even with Fitzgerald going into the last hole.

Finishing in third place was Pat Grady, the Assistant Coach of the Men’s Golf Team at the University of ColWhile he had been able to right the ship, Lanting had orado. Grady, the 2016 champion, posted rounds of 72to battle not only Fitzgerald but also his nerves on the 72-144 to punch his ticket to the national championship final hole. for the third consecutive year. Keffer and Jordan Gibbs, Assistant Professional from Denver Country Club fin“Eighteen is a tough hole and it was tough to feel my ished in a tie for the fourth and final qualifying spot at hands there to be honest with you,” he noted following one-over-par 145. Gibbs however birdied the sixth hole the awards ceremony. “I hit my tee shot right down the of sudden death to claim the right to move on. middle and was between clubs but decided to take the smaller club in the moment and hit it hard. I hit it to about a foot and was able to have a stress free putt to end the day.”

Fitzgerald still had a chance to tie Lanting as he hit his tee shot in a nearly identical spot as Lanting. Fitzgerald however drew a tough lie with the ball sitting down a bit and facing a stiff wind, left his second shot short, right of the green in an environmentally sensitive lateral water hazard, requiring a drop and subsequently giving Lanting the biggest win of his young career.

“As far as my golf career, this is number one by a long shot,” he noted. “I won a small event in college (Lanting played at Hope College, a Division III school in Holland, Mich.) and a Pro Am earlier this year but this is the biggest. It was definitely the biggest win of my career.”

The top four finishers qualified for The 42nd National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship which will be played November 15 – 18, 2018, on the Wanamaker Course at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie,

National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship Saddle Rock Golf Course Qualifiers: 4 Alternates: 4

QUALIFIERS 1. Ben Lanting, Bear Creek GC, 71-69-140 -4 2. Caine Fitzgerald, Meadow Hills, 68-74-142 -2 3. Patrick Grady, University of Colorado, 72-72-144 E 4. Jordan Gibbs, Denver, 73-72-145 +1 ALTERNATES - IN ORDER 4. Geoff Keffer, Greater Golfer D.C., 71-74-145 +1 6. Jeff Carter, Riverdale GC, 72-74-146 +2 6. Tyler Winslow, Lake Valley, 70-76-146 +2 8. Ryan Wroblewski, Cherry Hills, 74-73-147 +3 Click here for the full results

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Tournament News

Bradley Wins Pradera Pro-Am; Mother Nature Wins PM Start

by Justin Limon, PGA

I

t was a competitive day on the course during the Club at Pradera Pro-Am presented by the Colorado Chevy Dealers on Monday, July 23 with the top seven in the Professional contest all posting under-par rounds. Unfortunately, Mother Nature won in the afternoon as the PM start was cancelled after multiple weather delays. In first place, Eric Bradley, PGA Head Professional at Black Bear Golf Club, shot a 5-under-par 67.

Tying for second place were Rick Cole, PGA Head Professional at Eaton Country Club and Blake Sharamitaro, PGA Assistant Professional at Riverdale Golf Club. Both carded 4-under-par rounds of 68.

It was a tight race in the team event with Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Eric Bradley and his team pose on top of the long, downhill par-5 16th hole Hills Golf Course, and his team of John Boyles, during the 2018 Club at Pradera Pro Am. Mike Mounts and Adam Nelson coming out on top at 24-under-par. Sharamitaro came in second Thank you to host PGA Head Professional Hank Hough, with his team of Chuck Sharamitaro, Bryon Matsuno his staff and the membership of Club at Pradera for and Zac Brown. The format for the team contest was hosting the event. a two (2) Low Net Shamble with Amateurs receiving Click here to see the full results.

50% of course handicap.

Rohrbaugh and Northern Tie at Eisenhower GC Pro-Am Both Post Impressive 7-under-par

by Justin Limon, PGA

T

wo of the five-time contenders for this year's Player of the Year once again showed their skills on Monday, July 16 during the Eisenhower Golf Club Pro-Am presented by the Colorado Chevy Dealers.

Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Instructor at Ironbridge Golf Club, and Mike Northern, PGA Life Member, both shot impressive 7-under-par rounds to finish at 65, four shots ahead of the next finishers. In a tie of third place with 3-under-par rounds of 69 were Ben Honaman, PGA Head Professional at Lakewood Country Club and Andrew Hebert, PGA Associate at Indian Peaks Golf Course.

In the team event, Brian Gott, PGA Assistant Professional at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, and his team of Mike Horan, Stan Martinez and Phil

Marcantonio outperformed the second-place team by four strokes carding 21-under-par round of 123. Pat Reidy, PGA Teaching Professional at Inverness Golf Club and his team of Dan Morrow, Tony Foust and David Lindquist secured second place with a team score of 17-under-par 127. The format for the team contest was a one (1) Low Gross/ one (1) Low Net team contest with amateurs receiving 80% of the course handicap.

Thank you to host PGA General Manager Steve Wallace, his staff and Eisenhower Golf Club for hosting the event.

Click here to see the full results.

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Tournament News

Dow Finsterwald Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 | Doug Rohrbaugh | Looper by Anderson Ord Apparel | 4951.4 2 | Caine Fitzgerald | Meadow Hills Golf Course | 4267.21 3 | Eric Bradley | Black Bear Golf Club | 4236.71 4 | Rick Cole | Eaton Country Club | 4113.53 5 | Geoff Keffer | Greater Golfer Development Center | 3858.84 6 | Mike Northern | Life Member | 3159.67 7 | Blake Sharamitaro | Riverdale Golf Courses | 2770.17 8 | Scott Sommers | Saddleback Golf Club | 2209.7 9 | Chris Johnson | Life Member | 1905.16 10 | Jason Witczak | The Club at Pradera | 1798.2 11 | Peter Norwood | MetaGolf Learning Center | 1756.71 12 | Kyle Voska | The Links Golf Course | 1471.83 13 | Visanu Tongwarin | Legacy Ridge Golf Course | 1429.67 14 | Jeff Carter | Riverdale Golf Courses | 1350.59 15 | Barry Milstead | Valley Country Club | 1308.5 16 | Brian Gott | Green Valley Ranch Golf Club | 1293.2 17 | Zane Zwemke | Saddle Rock Golf Course | 1253.5 18 | Sherry Andonian | Valley Country Club | 1218.97 19 | Ron Vlosich | Life Member | 1188.75 20 | Tray Shehee | Ute Creek Golf Course | 1095.13 21 | Scott Hart | Life Member | 1069.54 22 | Bobby Quaratino | West Woods Golf Club | 1054.5 23 | Micah Rudosky | Conquistador Golf Course | 1000 24 | Ken Krieger | Cheyenne Country Club | 998.3 25 | Michael Weingartner | Thorncreek Golf Club | 972.5 26 | Ben Honaman | Lakewood Country Club | 952.67 27 | Graham Cliff | Colorado Golf Club | 948.03

Senior Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 | Doug Rohrbaugh | Looper by Anderson Ord Apparel | 7233.9 2 | Rick Cole | Eaton Country Club | 5394.03 3 | Mike Northern | Life Member | 4354.17 4 | Chris Johnson | Life Member | 2905.16 5 | Scott Sommers | Saddleback Golf Club | 2482.7 6 | Jeff Hanson | Red Sky Golf Club | 2198 7 | Barry Milstead | Valley Country Club | 1833.21 8 | Brian Gott | Green Valley Ranch Golf Club | 1718.2 9 | Ron Vlosich | Life Member | 1677.46 10 | Doug Wherry | Jake’s Academy | 1579.57

Colorado PGA Associate Player of the Year 1 | Ben Lanting | Bear Creek Golf Club | 3862.03 2 | Bryan Hackenberg | Todd Creek Golf Club | 2640.04 3 | Patrick Grady | University of Colorado | 2134.2 4 | Andrew Hebert | Indian Peaks Golf Course | 1617.33 5 | Rich Lash | Greater Golfer Development Center | 1490.67 6 | Audie Dean | Littleton Golf & Tennis Club | 1436.21 7 | Tim Richardson | Todd Creek Golf Club | 1268.54 8 | Jeramy Curry | The Links Golf Course | 1094.33 9 | Alexander Calleja | Country Club of Colorado | 715 10 | Tyler Winslow | Lake Valley Golf Club | 580

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

August 2018 - Awards Issue

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Junior Golf News

Drive, Chip and Putt Soars to New Heights in 2018 D

rive, Chip & Putt has seen record growth in the Colorado PGA over the last three years. The program was founded in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, United States Golf Association and The PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt and is a free, nationwide junior golf development competition aimed at growing the game by focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf.

Since its inception, the Colorado PGA has been a leader among the 41 Section in growing the program. The section started the program with five local qualifiers and zero rub-regional qualifiers. This past year, there were eight local qualifiers hosted in Colorado and South Dakota and over the next few weeks, the Colorado PGA will play host to two sub-regional qualifiers.

Furthermore, juniors across Section are more committed to the program than nearly any other Section. With a no-show rate that averages nearly 30% across the country, the Colorado PGA had an average no-show rate for the entire year of just 16%. This was highlighted by the local qualifier at Colorado National Golf Club where 185 of a registered 212 juniors showed up and participated in the free event.

In all, the Colorado PGA has advanced four juniors on to the National Championship hosted the Sunday prior to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

2018 included many highlights. For the first time ever, a local qualifer was held in conjunction with a Major Championship as the Broadmoor hosted the event on the West Course during the US Senior Open. We hosted an event in South Dakota for the first time and saw Will Ballet and Kaylee Chen earn the most points in the boy’s and girls divisions throughout the summer.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Junior Golf News

2018 Drive, Chip & Putt Results Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club

CommonGround Golf Course

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Mason Southern 76 Boys 10-11 Jaxson Bratton 88 Boys 12-13 Charlie Rasmussen 83 Boys 14-15

Girls 7-9 Lizel Jobman 15 Girls 10-11 Rylan Horning 66 Girls 12-13 Chloe Schmoker 77 Girls 14-15 Sophia Spiva 110

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Davis Moon 89 Boys 10-11 Jake Dost 149 Boys 12-13 Blake Eddy 125 Boys 14-15 Charlie Flaxbeard 151 Girls 7-9 Jadie Wilson 72 Girls 10-11 Sophia Capua 107 Girls 12-13 Gisella Lagrimas 119 Girls 14-15 Devin Gilbreath 134

Fort Collins Country Club

Cherry Creek Country Club

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Gage Poulsen 95 Boys 10-11 Landon Houska 111 Boys 12-13 Austin Barry 143 Boys 14-15 Jake Chesler 145 Girls 7-9 Addison Moreno 52 Girls 10-11 CheyAnne Schrick 54 Girls 12-13 Reece Bandemer 118 Girls 14-15 Jordan Stearly 91

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Jackson Woodward 106 Boys 10-11 Peter “pj Howard 105 Boys 12-13 Matai Naqica 144 Boys 14-15 Zach Lipfield 146 Girls 7-9 Adrielle Miller 80 Girls 10-11 Allie Smith 87 Girls 12-13 Chunya Boonta 107 Girls 14-15 Kaitlin Zingler 116

Walnut Creek Golf Preserve

Colorado National Golf Club

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Drake Fankhauser 71 Boys 10-11 Kota Ogi 82 Boys 12-13 Keagan Bond 107 Boys 14-15 Yusuke Ogi 117 Girls 7-9 Sarah Otterstetter 54 Girls 10-11 Emmalee Johnson 83 Girls 12-13 Ali Mulhall 111 Girls 14-15 Kaylee Chen 149

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Carter Brace 110 Boys 10-11 Cooper Brennan 129 Boys 12-13 Will Balliet 164 Boys 14-15 Macallister Lurcott 136 Girls 7-9 Anica Lest 69 Girls 10-11 Steffi Heitz 128 Girls 12-13 Bella Kith 122 Girls 14-15 Timbre Shehee 111

Broadmoor Golf Club

Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Grady Ortiz 109 Boys 10-11 Charlie Doyle 130 Boys 12-13 Carter Surofchek 159 Boys 14-15 Jackson Lowe 161 Girls 7-9 MacKenzie Frost 66 Girls 10-11 Brianna Bedell 75 Girls 12-13 Brooke Jones 88 Girls 14-15 Emily Cheng 136

Division Leader Total Boys 7-9 Ace Espinoza 86 Boys 10-11 Campbell McFadden 114 Boys 12-13 Roland Thornton 122 Boys 14-15 Gunther Soltvedt 138 Girls 7-9 Victoria Suges 69 Girls 10-11 Taylor Hale 135 Girls 12-13 Holly Engelking 85 Girls 14-15 Kylee Hughes 104

Monday, June 4, 2018

Monday, June 18, 2018

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Monday, July 2, 2018

Monday, July 9, 2018

Monday, July 16, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

Match Play Champs

Castilgila, Lehigh Claim First JGAC Major Titles Lauren Lehigh from Loveland poses with the trophy after winning the 2018 JGAC Gilrs Junior Match Play at Plum Creek Golf Club.

by Gary Baines

J

ack Castiglia of Lakewood capped off his junior golf career in fine fashion on Wednesday, rallying from 3 down on the back nine in the boys final to claim the title in the Colorado Junior Match Play, a victory that narrowly eluded him the past two years.

And Lauren Lehigh of Loveland defeated two of the state’s top girls golfers on the same day to earn the girls championship at Plum Creek Golf Club in Castle Rock.

Making it all the sweeter, it was the first Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado major title for both Castiglia and Lehigh, who won four matches in two days to earn the trophy.

“It was all I could really ask for” in his final junior tournament, said Castiglia, who will begin playing golf at the University of Northern Colorado in about a month. “I had never won a major, so it’s definitely nice to finally get one under my belt before I go off to college. It feels good. It was a lot of fun playing out here.”

Said Lehigh, a senior-to-be at Loveland High School who will play her college golf at New Mexico starting in 2019: “This (win) definitely ranks pretty high up there for me, especially considering the field. There were a lot of good players here. Playing as well as I did this week gives me a lot of confidence.”

Castiglia (pictured above) was a semifinalist in this

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event in 2016 and a finalist last year, losing to the eventual champion in each case. But on Wednesday, he defeated Tyler Severin of Johnstown, 2 and 1 in the boys final as Severin hit two balls into the water at both 16 and 17 after the match was all square through 15.

On the girls side, Lehigh (left) beat 2017 JGAC Girls Player of the Year -- and 2016 Colorado Junior Match Play champion -- Hailey Schalk of Erie in the title match, 4 and 3. Lehigh, 17, finished off the match by hitting a 4 hybrid from 210 yards to inches from the cup for an eagle on the 15th hole, where the match ended.

Earlier Wednesday in the semifinals, Lehigh posted another 4 and 3 victory over Charlotte Hillary of

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News Englewood, who went to the match play round of 32 at the California Women’s Amateur Championship last week.

Then she closed out the match on No. 15, where her 210-yard 4 hybrid from the rough ended up a couple of inches from the hole for an eagle.

“It definitely feels good knowing that I came out here and played as well as I did and I was able to beat those (top-flight) girls,” Lehigh said. “We’re both friends and competitors. We’re still going to be great friends afterward, but everybody out here knows we’re playing to win.”

“I finished three of my four matches on that 15th hole and I was 4 under on that hole alone,” Lehigh noted. “I won two matches with birdies on that hole and then stuck it close for eagle today.”

In the boys final, Severin made three birdies on the front nine, including a 45-footer on No. 8, to make the turn at 3 up. And Castiglia didn’t help his cause by missing a 2-foot par putt on No. No. 7.

But things turned on the back nine. Severin (below), a University of Wyoming signee who played in the CoBank Colorado Open last week, three-putted the 10th and 14th holes, and Castliglia made eagle on 11 with a 55-foot putt. That evened the match after 14.

“I knew I needed to start getting some putts to go in” after the first nine holes, said Castiglia, who earlier this year advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying. “I missed a lot of putts inside 4-5 feet on the front nine.

And he was making some good birdies. Once I finally got that long (eagle) to drop on 11, that’s where I knew I could get some confidence going.”

After the match was all square, both players twoputted for birdie on No. 15 for a halve. Then Severin pushed his tee shot and his third shot into the water that borders the entire right side of No. 16, falling behind for the first time in the match. And after Castiglia hit a good tee shot on the par-3 17th, Severin put two more balls into the water short of the green and conceded the match to his 17-year-old opponent.

“I played well the front nine, but a couple of three putts on the back nine didn’t help much,” said Severin, who like Castiglia was playing in his final junior event. “Jack played really good on the back nine. It’s a learning experience. I’ve got college coming up. It’s going to be helpful knowing it’s happened to me before. Hopefully I’m going to learn from this and hopefully never do this again. ... I’m definitely not happy about it.”

The girls final was a matchup of two of the four players who represented Colorado last week in the Girls Junior Americas Cup at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen. Schalk had won the last four JGAC majors in which she had competed, but the streak ended on Wednesday.

“I played pretty good all day,” Schalk said after her 38-hole marathon on Wednesday. “You can’t win everything obviously. It’s a little disappointing, but good for her.”

The finalists were all square after four holes, but Lehigh won the next three, making 15-foot birdie putts on Nos. 5 and 7 and prevailing with a par on No. 6.

Lehigh finished 2 under par for 15 holes in the final. All told for the week, he won her matches 5 and 4, 4 and 3, 4 and 3, and 4 and 3. In other words, she wasn’t ever pushed to the limit.

“I was only ever down in a match once,” Lehigh said, noting Hillary birdied the first hole against her on Wednesday morning. “I was playing pretty well this whole week. I felt really good coming in here. There’s not a lot of pressure. It’s a lot easier to just take a deep breath and go, ‘You know what, that hole didn’t matter’” given that it’s match play.

“But Hailey is an incredible competitor. She played really well. We both played our hearts out today, no doubt.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Schalk had needed 23 holes to defeat 14-year-old Kaylee Chen of Denver. Chen three-putted the 18th hole, missing a two-foot par putt, to prolong the match. Then after halving the first four extra holes with par, Schalk won on the fifth with a par when Chen got into trouble down the left side.

Colorado Junior Match Play At Plum Creek GC in Castle Rock Boys Semifinals Tyler Severin of Johnstown def. Jack Hughes of Aspen, 5 and 4 Jack Castiglia of Lakewood def. Christopher Kennedy of Aurora, 4 and 3 Boys Final Jack Castiglia of Lakewood def. Tyler Severin of Johnstown, 2 and 1 Girls Semifinals Lauren Lehigh of Loveland def. Charlotte Hillary of Englewood, 4 and 3 Hailey Schalk of Erie def. Kaylee Chen of Denver, 23 holes Girls Final Lauren Lehigh of Loveland def. Hailey Schalk of Erie, 4 and 3 For the Colorado Junior Match Play brackets, click on the following: BOYS, GIRLS.

Schalk cut the deficit to 1 down by winning No. 9 with a par and No. 11 with a birdie. But Lehigh, the 2017 4A state high school champion, won 12 and 13 with pars.

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

Double Dipping

Colorado team wins boys Junior America’s Cup for first time; Fort Collins’ Stewart earns individual title Posted on July 26, 2018

by Gary Baines After 44 years of competing annually in the boys Junior America’s Cup competition, Colorado’s representatives finally had the pleasure of having the team trophy presented to them on Thursday afternoon.

Colorado, which had never before finished better than third place in the prestigious junior event, won the JAC team championship this week after competing in the event since 1975. The Junior America’s Cup now features 18 teams from the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.

And to add icing to the cake for Colorado, Dillon Stewart of Fort Collins captured the individual title out of the field of 72 on Thursday.

“When I signed my scorecard, (captain Dustin Jensen) came over said, ‘I think we did it,’” Stewart relayed later by phone. “It just shocked me and we were really excited after that and I gave all the boys hugs.”

Team-wise, the Coloradans overcame a three-stroke deficit entering the final round at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Golf Course in Anaconda, Mont., rallying to overcome Utah and Mexico. The foursome representing the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado posted a 7-under-par 209 on Thursday, giving the team a three-day total of 26-under-par 622. That was one better than Mexico, three better than Utah and four better than fourth-place Arizona.

team, Stewart and McCoy their second and Franklin his first. (The champions are pictured, from left: Franklin, Jensen, Stewart, McCoy and Bryant.)

Prior to Thursday, Colorado’s best showings at the JAC were third places in 2011 (at Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen) and in 2015. The JGAC team was fourth last year.

Bryant competed on that team in 2015 -- and every year since -- so he has some perspective on Thursday’s accomplishment.

“It feels awesome,” said the 18-year-old, who will soon begin his college golf career at Colorado State University.

Dillon Stewart of Team Colorado tees off on the 18th hole during Thursday’s final round of the boys’ Junior America’s Cup at Fairmont Hot Springs. (Bill Foley photo) www.buttesports.com

Joining Stewart on Colorado’s JAC championship team were Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch, Davis Bryant of Aurora and Walker Franklin of Broomfield. Bryant was playing on his fourth JAC

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Team Colorado (Cal McCoy, Walker Franklin, Dillon Stewart and Davis Bryant and captain Dustin Jensen) pose with the trophy.

“We worked well together this week and we didn’t let a bad hole affect us. We hit a shot and forgot about it, which was great. We were able to make a lot of birdies (55 in all, plus two eagles) and take advantage of the shorter holes when we had them. We all made mistakes, but we were able to capitalize on our opportunities. We all helped in some way throughout the week. To bring (the title) back to Colorado, it feels awesome.”

Down the stretch, after Stewart made a double bogey and Franklin a triple bogey early on the back nine on Thursday, the team finished just strongly enough to

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News claim the championship. Stewart played his final seven holes in 3 under and McCoy his final five in 3 under.

Captaining the team once again this year was Jensen, the former CGA managing director of operations, who is now an associate dean at the University of Jamestown (N.D.), his alma mater. Jensen has captained or co-captained every Colorado boys JAC team but three since 2005. Though he’s back in North Dakota full time now, he volunteered for duty in Montana with the CGA and Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado staffs busy with the Girls Junior Americas Cup in Evergreen and the CoBank Colorado Open in Denver.

“It’s crazy. There’s so many years with so many great players. You just never know if and when (winning a title) is going to happen,” Jensen said on Thursday.

“These guys were awesome this week. They continued to score constantly. It was just birdie after birdie after birdie. They didn’t complain about anything; they just got in and played.

“We made our par for the course this week 69 and we ended up shooting 1 stroke over par for what we hoped. Twenty-seven under par was the hope and we shot 26 and won by one. I guess we guessed right before the tournament.”

As for Stewart, the senior-to-be at Fossil Ridge High School prevailed by two strokes for the individual title.

Stewart, who will play his college golf at perennial national power Oklahoma State starting in 2019, carded rounds of 64-68-68 for a 16-under-par 200 total. Last month’s AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior champion finished the week with an eagle, 20 birdies, four bogeys and one double bogey for 54 holes.

Stewart gained the upper hand early in the round when

36-hole leader Zachary Jones of Utah pumped two shots out of bounds and took a quadruple-bogey 8 on No. 4.

“That kind of flipped everything,” Stewart said. “But I tried not to think about that too much because there was so much golf left to play. ... But I’m just happy we won as a team.”

Stewart placed 13th individually at last year’s JAC. He qualified for this year’s U.S. Junior Amateur, which was contested this month.

The University of Denver-bound McCoy placed 14th on Thursday, closing with a 69 for a 212 total. Bryant, who finished ninth individually in last year’s JAC, tied for 17th this week at 213.

The 16-year-old Franklin shared 27th place at 215.

All in all, you couldn’t get a much better week for the Coloradans, who emerged with both the team and individual titles and had a great time in the process.

“It’s a really fun tournament because we don’t really get to play many team events like this one until we get to college,” Bryant said. “It’s a fun time to spend with your buddies. We jack around and have fun, but also played some pretty good golf while we were at it. It was a really fun week and we’re really glad to finish it off this way.”

1. (out of 18 teams) Colorado 205-208-209--622 1. Dillon Stewart, Fort Collins 64-68-68--200 14. Cal McCoy, Highlands Ranch 71-72-69--212 17. Davis Bryant, Aurora 70-70-73--213 27. Walker Franklin, Broomfield 73-70-72--215 For all the scores from the JAC, CLICK HERE.

Wrapping Up at Valhalla

McCoy finishes 29th, Bryant 60th in their final national Boys Junior PGA Championship

by Gary Baines - 8/3/2018 Roughly a month before beginning their college golf careers at Colorado-based universities, Cal McCoy of Highlands Ranch and Davis Bryant of Aurora were putting some of the final touches on their junior golf careers this week in Louisville, Ky. Neither played anywhere close to his best on Friday at Valhalla Golf Club, but both can say they easily made the cut in the national Boys Junior PGA Championship.

The University of Denver-bound McCoy finished 29th out of 144 players, while Bryant was 60th.

McCoy went into the final round in 10th place, but shot a 6-over-par 78 on Friday, which left him at 3-over 291 overall. He made two double bogeys and five bogeys in the final round, along with three birdies, including one on his final hole. He ended up 14 strokes behind champion Akshay Bhatia of Wake Forest, N.C., who closed with a 68.

Bryant, a teammate of McCoy's on the Colorado team that won the Junior America's Cup last week, posted a final-round 79 for a 299 total. The future Colorado State University golfer, who placed 14th in this event last year, made one birdie and eight bogeys on Friday.

August 2018 - Awards Issue

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PGA Tour National Car Rental

Platinum | $10,000 Colorado AvidGolfer Allen Walters

OMEGA

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Gold | $5,000

Denver Golf Expo Mark Cramer

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Silver | $2,500 Adidas/Ashworth Mike Bryant

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