Colorado PGA - Pro Peaks Magazine - September 2018

PRO PEAKS

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

Colorado PGA Professional Championship Preview

TPC Colorado set to Host 128 of Colorado PGA’s Best Professionals

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

West Chapter Officers

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

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

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

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

Josh Miller, PGA | 2016-2018 GOLFTEC

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

Dennis Murray, PGA | 2018-2020 Valley Country Club

Colorado PGA REACH Trustees

Chris Swinhart, PGA | 2017-2019 Thorncreek Golf Course 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

Jim Miller, PGA | 2018-2020 Sonnenalp Golf Club

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

Walter Glover EVP/COO - United States Olympic Endowment

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

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

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

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

Jacques Deyoe, PGA | 2017-2019 Aspen Glen Club

Board of Directors

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

President’s Report 5 Exciting Times Coming as the End of Summers Looms

Membership News 6 Member Update

Executive Director’s Report 7 Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First

District Director Report/PGA of America News 10 Congratulations Colorado PGA! Career News 13 Gold, Goals and Grinding

Colorado PGA News 14 Lifetime Learner Ben Welsh Receives Horton Smith Award 16 Success Comes with An Open Mind Says

Teacher of the Year Dan Sniffin 18 A Mentor to Hundreds Bruening Receives

Bill Strausbaugh Award 20 Contribution and Longevity Make Heyen Perfect Recipient of

Warren Smith Award

Tournament News 24 TPC Colorado Set to Host

Colorado PGA Professional Championship 26 Morris Claims Colorado PGA Women’s Championship

in Exciting Fashion 28 OMEGA Player of the Year List

Junior News 30 Working On A Return Trip 32 Timm Golf Academy to Compete in Regional at

Firewheel Golf Parl 40 Double Dipping

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

President’s Message

Exciting Times Coming as the End of Summers Looms I

t’s hard to believe that the marking of the end of summer in the Rockies has arrived – Labor Day! The fall is such a beautiful time to play golf and yet, so many hang up there clubs in preparation for winter sports. I hope each of you will find a little time in your schedule to enjoy the amazing fall weather in our great Section.

Times are exciting in our Association as we embark on a new journey with new PGA of America – CEO, Seth Waugh at the helm. His business experience with Deutsche Bank is going to prove extremely valuable to our future and who knows, he may have the ability to crack the code on certain member benefits that have been long out of reach up to this point. Whatever the outcome, I believe Seth is truly motivated to work for the Member.

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

As Seth prepares to serve in his role as CEO and Suzy Whaley begins her journey as our Associations first female President, I begin preparations to turn the reigns over to Ben Welsh as your next Section President. Before we get to the reflections on a presidency and such, let’s look forward to the full course of activities between now and the end of the year. I will have the honor to hand our Section Championship trophy to the 2018 victor next week at TPC of Colorado, our board will convene to hear presentations and elect our next officer for the Colorado Section, we will celebrate our Special Award Winners at Colorado Golf Club and there is a trip to Palm Springs for the PGA Annual Meeting where I will have the privilege of receiving the Herb Graffis Award on behalf of each one of you in the Colorado Section.

Thanks to each one of you that made 2018 an incredible year of growing the game. Your board and foundation trustees continue to grow and develop efforts that will serve the member and grow the game!

Sincerely,

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

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.

• • • •

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

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Membership News

Membership News An update on our Colorado PGA Members By the Numbers Members - 729 Associates - 105 Total - 834 Male Members - 694 Female Member - 35 11th out of 41 Sections 107 – Management positions (MP, A-4, A-9, A-11, A-13) 310 – Club Professionals (A-1, A-2, A-7, A-8) 111 – Instructors (A-6, A-10, A-12, A-14) 22 – Expanded Career Paths (A-15 thru A-24) 117 – Life Members (LM, LMM, LMA, LMMA) 62 – 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!

Stephen R. Horvey, PGA | A-6 | GOLFTEC - Cherry Creek

Zachary L. Rubenstein, PGA | A-8 | Colorado Golf Club

Class Changes

Douglas W. Poland, PGA | A-1 | previously an A-8 | Telluride Ski & Golf Resort Timothy M Fuhrer, PGA | A-14 | previously an A-6 | GOLFTEC - Cherry Creek Vincent J. Downie, PGA | A-14 | previously an A-8 | GOLFTEC - Park Meadows

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.

Douglas A. Anderson | B-8 | Walnut Creek Golf Preserve

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 Associates who have moved on.

Jack W. Diehl, PGA | A-1 | Magnolia Creek Golf Links

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Executive Director’s Message

Put Your Own Oxygen Mask On First My Fellow Members,

As we gear up for our Section’s Championship this September, I’m excited to see who will come out on top at The TPC of Colorado on September 10-12. Many thanks go to PGA Professionals Larry Collins and Chad Poirot for making this happen at the first new golf facility to open in Colorado in quite some time. It makes a strong statement for any facility to commit to hosting one of our three-day Section Championships in support of our Colorado PGA Members, for which we cannot ever thank them enough for doing so. That is why I am so excited that we have the highest number of participants registered to play in our Championship in several years, and it is going to make for some exciting golf in Berthoud, Colo.

Fall is my favorite season in Colorado. The temperature is slightly cooler, the golf courses are in their best condition and the leaves are turning. It’s also my favorite time of the year because we get to spend more time with all of you, our Colorado PGA Members. On October 2, we have our West Chapter Fall Meeting in conjunction with our West Chapter Championship, and on October 15, we have our Section’s Fall Meeting. We’ve got a great line-up for both meetings, but what I am really excited about is getting to spend time with each of you, to hear how you are doing, and most importantly, to hear how we can better serve you and meet your needs.

Coming out the week of September 17, you will be receiving a Membership Survey. We would ask you to take the time to let us know how we are doing, what we could do better and how we can better serve you. This will be vitality important information that we will discuss with you during our Membership Meetings, and will also serve as the guiding information for Board of Directors as they head into the Section’s Annual Business Planning Meeting beginning in November. We are committed to serving you to the best of our ability, and we need your input to make this happen. My thanks in advance for taking a few minutes to do this.

The other day I was listening to a man speak and he asked, “If I was your guest for the next five days, I know that you are going to take great care of me. However, would I want you to take care of me like you take care of yourself?” I’ve been in the hospitality business for over 30 years, so I’d like to think that I know how to take care of people. I can also assume that pretty much every one of us as PGA Members knows how to take care of people. It’s what we do day in and day out. His question, however, made me reflect on how well am I at taking care of myself, and would I take care of my customers, my members, my friends, my family, the same way I am taking care of me.

Without going too deep on this, I believe the airlines have gotten this right. We need to put on our own oxygen mask first, because if we do not, we become incapacitated and cannot assist those around us who may need our help.

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

I’m looking forward to seeing each of you at one of our upcoming Membership Meetings and hearing from you through our Membership Survey. It is indeed an honor to be able to serve as your Executive Director!

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 Timm Golf Academy All-Stars captured the Colorado Section Championship at Thorncreek Golf Course in Thornton to advance to the Regional. will be competing in the PGA Jr. League Regional presented by National Car Rental at Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas, Sept. 8-9, 2018.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA Fall Membership Meeting

Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club Monday, October 15, 2018 - 8:00am to 12:00pm Presented by GolfStatus Supported by Masek Golf Cars of Colorado, Golf Scorecards Inc. Join us for our season-ending celebration at our 2018 Colorado PGA Fall Membership Meeting. We will recognize a number of members with Special Award, swear in new board members and recap our incredible 2018 season!

The meeting will be highlighted by a visit from PGA of America President Paul Levy and a fireside chat with Country Club of the Rockies Director of Golf, Tom Apple!

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PGA of America News

Congratulations Colorado PGA! Waugh Named CEO, 100th PGA Championship Recap

I want to begin by congratulating all PGA Professionals and Associates in the Colorado Section on being the recipients of the Herb Graffis Award. It is a wonderful achievement, and the second time the Colorado Section has won the award in the past seven years. This award is named in honor of journalist Herb Graffis, whose tireless promotion of golf earned him enshrinement into the World Golf Hall of Fame. This award annually singles out one of the 41 PGA of America Sections for extraordinary and exemplary contributions and achievements in the area of player development and growth-of-the-game initiatives on both a local and national level. It is an award that the entire Section Membership shares and I applaud you!

Seth Waugh Named PGA of America CEO Former CEO of Deutsche Bank Americas and current Independent Director on the PGA Board of Directors, Seth Waugh, has been named the new CEO of the PGA of America. Seth will start his new position as of September 24, and comes to the head of the PGA with impeccable business credentials, a later-in-life immersion in—and love for—the game, a close-knit relationship with many of the sport’s power brokers and five years in the organization as an independent member of the Board of Directors and as a member of an advisory board to Pete Bevacqua.

Waugh, who lives in North Palm Beach, Fla., is a native of Ayer, Mass., and a graduate of Amherst College, where he earned degrees in English and economics. He was with Deutsche Bank Americas for 13 years, including 10 as CEO, during which time he oversaw the creation of the Deutsche Bank Championship, the PGA Tour’s FedExCup Playoff event in Boston now known as the Dell Technologies Championship.

Having served with Seth on the PGA Board for the past 18 months, I am excited about this decision and I know he is the right person to continue to lead the PGA and its members as we face many challenges in the next few years, while continuing to focus on the long-term strategic plan to serve the PGA Member and grow the game.

100th PGA Championship

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

It was a very exciting week in St. Louis watching Brooks Koepka capture the 100th PGA Championship. It is the first Championship I have ever been involved in, and I have to say our Association does an outstanding job conducting and presenting this event. From the Past Champions Dinner, to the coordination of the event itself, to the Champion’s Toast, it is an incredible production that Kerry Haigh and his team seem to pull off with ease. I know that’s not entirely true, but it does make a PGA Member proud to see how Kerry and his team conduct this event. I know the players appreciate it as well. Thanks to the thousands of volunteers and to the members of Bellerive Country Club, who couldn’t have done a better job hosting our 100th PGA Championship. I hope those of you who were able to attend enjoyed it as much as I did.

In conclusion, the Board of Directors, Officers and Senior Staff continue to do due diligence on the potential Headquarters move. I will continue to update you on this process and report on any decisions the Board makes concerning the future location of the PGA Headquarters.

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

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News

Colorado PGA Fall Teaching and Coaching Workshop Fossil Trace Golf Club - Golden, Colo.

Thursday, October 4, 2018 8:00am- 3:30pm

Lunch included - 8 MSR credits available Click here to register!

30-minute TEDTalk Sessions featuring: 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 GC Stan Sayers, PGA | Colorado Golf Club September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Career News

Gold, Goals and Grinding F

orty-six years ago, American swimmer Mark Spitz became the first competitor to win seven gold medals at a single Olympic Games (setting seven world records in the process!). While the world focused on the end results of those Olympic Games, those results were produced by Mark’s dedication to the hard, less than glamourous, unseen and unnoticed work preparing for his moment to shine.

How much time did Mark have to spend in the pool to prepare himself for those seven races in 1972?

According to him, he began swimming in a local swim club in 1956 at age six and swam competitively for the next 16 years. Thousands of hours of practice, hundreds of competitive meets, workouts, injuries, comebacks and heartbreaks; all of those cumulative hours created the conditions that allowed for history to be made in Munich.

“If you are looking for a single, mind-blowing tactic you’ve been missing your whole life that will instantly make learning or practicing way easier, you’ll never find it. You’ll waste hour after hour searching. Here is the best thing you can possibly do to get better at something. Put in the damn time.”

-Caleb Wojcik

to work even more hours at your job in order to be successful; working more and being busy isn’t the same as being productive. I am saying that creating the life and career that you desire is the result of hard work, dedication and careful planning.

The additional resources below provide more insight into this theme. I hope you will find them educational and inspire you to take charge of your career by better using “the time that no one sees.”

Finally, if you missed the announcement two weeks ago, I have some GREAT news. The new Rules & Regulations for the PGA MSR requirements have been released, and you can now earn two MSR’s in the Required category per fiscal year for meeting with me to discuss your career. For those of you that I’ve met with since the end of the last cycle, I’ll be submitting your MSR’s in the next couple of weeks.

Please feel free to share this email via social media or forward the email to anyone you feel that would benefit from the information.

Let’s be perfectly clear, I am not saying that you need Additional Resources Why Being Busy and Being Productive Aren’t the Same Thing “But being truly busy doesn’t have to guarantee you’ve been productive”

By Upasana Bhattacharjee - From Medium Business / Busyness “Busy is not your job. Busy doesn’t get you what you seek. Busy isn’t the point. Value creation is.”

By Seth Godin - From Seth’s Blog The Things That No One Sees “It’s the small things, behind the scenes that no one sees, that leads to the BIG things that everyone wants.”

By Christy Wright - From Business Boutique

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.

The Lost Art of Hard Work “Everywhere you turn in our society there are quick fixes. If you don’t want to work hard anymore it seems like you don’t have to.”

By Caleb Wojcik - From Expert Enough Let’s get together soon and plan the hard work that no one else will see.

Keith Soriano, PGA PGA Career Consultant ksoriano@pgahq.com 720.841.1006

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Colorado PGA News

Lifetime Learner Ben Welsh Receives Horton Smith Award

by Judy Malone

A

ppropriately, the 2018 Horton Smith Award is being presented to Ben Welsh, PGA, Head Professional at Frost Creek Golf Club.

“I am honored to be recognized as a contributor to the educational opportunities for our Colorado PGA Members,” begins Welsh. “Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to continuous learning and to be the recipient of an award that recognizes contributions to develop and improve educational opportunities for our members is very rewarding.”

Born and raised in Fort Collins, Welsh picked the driving range for free golf as a kid. He found that the golf course was the most positive place to spend his free time. He also learned as a young boy that being willing to take advantage of the early hours of the day had its benefits. He and his dad would regularly arrive to the course by 5 a.m. to play nine-holes before school.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News “I have fond memories of walking nine-holes with my dad first thing in the morning, stopping for a donut and then going to school,” Welsh recollects. “This father-son time is very memorable to me. I owe everything to my dad for taking me out and introducing me to the game of golf.”

Welsh shared that some of the motivation to pursue a career in golf came by way of failing to make either the high school or the college golf teams. He always figured that if he wasn’t going to make it as a player, he would find a way to make it as a Club Professional, teacher, or coach.

“Receiving the Horton Smith Award allows me to pay tribute to all the professionals who have had an impact on my career,” shares Welsh. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been mentored by so many great PGA Professionals.

I have been encouraged to succeed by the professionals whom I’ve worked with and inspired to learn by the wealth of knowledge that is the PGA of America. I also thank my parents for their commitment to higher education and a family culture of curiosity and lifelong learning.”

What does it mean to you to receive the Horton Smith Award?

Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to continuous learning and have been the beneficiary of many of the PGA Educational programs. In fact, I believe that continuing education is one of the pillars of the PGA, ensuring that we, as golf professionals, remain “the experts in the game, people and business of golf.” I am honored to be recognized as a contributor to the educational opportunities for our Colorado PGA Members.

What do you believe are the qualities you possess that support your nomination for this award?

As an active participant in the Educational offerings of the PGA, I have completed the Certified Professional in three disciplines and the Master Professional in General Management. This knowledge and experience has given me the vision to share perspective with our Education Committee in the effort to create meaningful education for our Colorado PGA members. I also hope that by completing the Master Professional, I can lead by example in showing that the designation is attainable and is worth the hard work.

What are some tools you use in your profession that you wish you had known when you were beginning your career?

One tool that I wish I’d learned earlier is the value of varied perspectives that can be received through continuous learning. I have found that I communicate and relate more easily in my position when I incorporate things I have learned from others.

In addition, I have learned to understand that there is no one-right answer to any challenge. As we mature in our education and experience, we begin to more easily see numerous solutions to any situation. It is with this perspective that I hunger for continuous learning and the constant search for new ways to solve old problems.

As it relates to golf, what is the best piece of advice you have received and what advice would you give to others?

For me, both pieces of advice are the same. I don’t know who said it but it is, “Never follow a bad shot with a stupid shot.” This applies in the business world, as well as on the golf course!

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Every job is a “right place, right time” opportunity. It is your job to be qualified and prepared when that opportunity presents itself.

What is your proudest moment as a golf professional?

My proudest moment thus far has been my election to our Colorado PGA Section Board of Directors. To have been elected by my peers to serve in a leadership role is an incredible honor.

Tell us something about yourself that others may not know.

I am also certified to the highest level with the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI). I enjoy training fellow Snowboard Instructors and clients, sharing the love of sliding sideways in the winter.

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Colorado PGA News

Success Comes with An Open Mind Says Teacher of the Year Dan Sniffin

by Judy Malone

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an Sniffin has come a long way from his remote beginnings in the middle of Nowhere, Wyoming, to being recognized as the 2018 Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year.

“Being the recipient of this award is obviously a huge honor for me – I am thrilled and shocked and everything all at once,” expresses Sniffin. “I am extremely thankful to the many professionals that have mentored me and that I have learned from. I’m also thankful that the golf community is so willing to share knowledge and ideas.”

It wasn’t until Sniffin was 10 years old when his family moved into a Colorado community with a par-3 course that he started playing golf with his dad and was struck by the golf bug. His infatuation for the game enabled him to hone his skills enough to play on the University of Colorado Golf Team. This was such an “awesome experience” that after college, instead of getting a job in finance (his field of major), he decided to chase the dream of playing on the PGA Tour. According to

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Sniffin, after six years of playing the mini-tours, he was tired of being broke and on the road. He still loved the game and decided he wanted to get into teaching golf. At the advice of his supervisor Rudy Zupetz, PGA, General Manager at Sanctuary, Sniffin applied for a teaching position at GolfTEC, a place where he would have the opportunity to teach every day. After seven years at GolfTEC, Sniffin took the position as Director of Instruction at Omni Interlocken Resort where he is currently in his fifth season.

Since coming to Omni Interlocken, Sniffin has shifted the emphasis of Omni’s instruction program away from the golf schools and golf camps concept and moved toward working with their own members and referrals to help them improve their game. This approach has proven to be a more sustainable business plan than the one-and-done approach.

“I’ve been lucky to have had great teachers and mentors myself, and I know what a difference that makes” concludes Sniffin. “It would be a privilege to be able to work with young teachers who are passionate

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA News about getting better and being the best teacher they can possibly be.”

What does it mean to you to receive Teacher of the Year Award?

I am quite honored to be recognized with this award. It is important to me to always improve, to learn more about everything related to the game, and to be able to communicate it effectively to students. To be recognized for all of those hours of not only teaching but for those hours of learning and failing is a real honor. I take a lot of pride in what I do so it feels good to be recognized.

What do you believe are the qualities you possess that support your nomination for this award?

Snffin, the 2018 Teacher of the Year, has been the Director of Instruction at Omni-Interlocken since 2014.

I think the quality that has served me best is that I am always on a quest to do things better, to see improvement in anything I do from my hobbies to my professional skills. When you equate that to teaching golf, it is important for me to learn from my mistakes. I reflect a lot on how my students are doing based upon what I have taught them. I try to figure out better ways to deliver content, to improve the sequence of swing changes and to prioritize what to work on. I am always trying to figure out ways to be better as a teacher.

What are some tools you use in your profession that you wish you had known when you were beginning your career?

An open mind. As vague as that sounds, once I learned that I didn’t know it all, that was the point in my teaching career that I started improving and becoming a better instructor. Coming off of playing on the minitours and having come close to the PGA Tour, I walked in to my first teaching position thinking I knew it all. I remember going to training and thinking that this was a waste of my time because I already knew all of this.

I was 100 percent wrong! So for me, understanding that there are things out there that I do not know and realizing that this will always be the case has helped me the most in advancing in my career.

As it relates to golf, what is the best piece of advice you have received and what advice would you give to others?

As far as what advice I would give to other, the main thing I try to convey to my students is that as their golf instructor, I can’t teach them how to play golf, I can only teach them how to learn how to play golf. They have to learn on their own. If it were possible for me to put my brain in their muscles and hit the shot for them, my job would be must easier. Instead, it is my job to teach them how to learn as quickly, efficiently and accurately as possible.

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Understand that time is your most valuable asset. Time is finite and no matter who you are or where you are, you only have a certain amount of time so use it wisely.

Don’t waste it.

What is your proudest moment as a golf professional?

Generally speaking, I have a lot of moments where I am still very proud. Of course, those moments are balanced by my failures.

These days, my proudest moments are when I hear of the successes of my students. It might be anything from a career round, winning a tournament, signing a letter of intent at a university or anything else that makes their day. You know you’ve turned into a coach when you get more excited about the successes of your students than you do about your own game. It’s like I’m living vicariously through my students but I’m okay with that.

To paraphrase Butch Harmon, “The minute you think you know it all is the minute you cease learning and improving.” That hit home for me and made me seriously think about my own mindset and what adjustments I needed to make. Here is a guy who has taught Tiger, Greg Norman and many other great golfers and he is saying that he doesn’t yet know it all.

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Colorado PGA News

A Mentor to Hundreds Bruening Receives Bill Strausbaugh Award

by Judy Malone

I

f one were to ask the hundreds of golf professionals and outside service staff who have worked for Stuart Bruening, PGA, General Manager at The Golf Club at Bear Dance, to respond to the news that he is the recipient of the 2018 Colorado PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, you would undoubtedly hear them say things like he is a man of exceptional integrity, a great mentor and someone devoted to the golf industry.

Appropriately, these statements are all listed as qualities to consider when selecting someone to receive this esteemed award.

With a current population of less than 2,000, Superior, Nebraska, is where Bruening calls home. His dad, a retired school teacher and golf-mentor to many, was big into golf at their little nine-hole course so it made sense that his son would also be involved in the sport.

After high school, Bruening moved to Arizona to begin his golf career.

“Coming from a small town in Nebraska, I had the perception that I could play golf,” laughs Bruening. “I realized pretty quickly upon arriving in Arizona, that wasn’t the case. But, I loved the game and wanted to stay in it so I figured out a way to get into the business side.”

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Bruening got into the golf business probably for the same reasons everyone else does – for the love of the game. He spent his first 18 years in the Arizona golf industry where he began as an assistant but quickly achieved his PGA Membership. It was here that he got involved in the design and construction aspect of golf course properties. In 1999, Bruening and three other PGA Members grabbed-on to an opportunity in Colorado and they broke ground on the Bear Dance property. It was also at this time that the idea of headquartering the Colorado PGA at Bear Dance was conceived and the Section offices relocated in April of 2002.

While Bruening has called Bear Dance home for the last 18 years, his diverse career has allowed him the opportunity to work as a Head Professional, Director of Golf, General Manager and in building golf courses.

A true testament to his mentoring and loyalty to his employees and staff is the number of people who return to work at Bear Dance year-after-year, as, according to Bruening, these are the people that make the operation tick.

“I have led a blessed life. I am blessed to be a golf professional and to have a career that I enjoy coming to every day,” concludes Bruening. “But beyond that,

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Colorado PGA REACH News I am so proud of everyone who is and has been a part of my journey. It has been so rewarding to have my immediate and extended family with me from the beginning and fortunate for the commitment, dedication and longevity of many of my employees.”

What does it mean to you to receive the Bill Strausbaugh Award?

A couple years ago, my dad was honored for the role he played in mentoring golfers in our small town in Nebraska. My receiving this award makes it possible for me to follow in my father’s footsteps and that is big to me. In addition, I am humbled to be associated with the other professionals who have won this prestigious award before me.

Stuart Bruening, the Owner and General Manager at The Golf Club at Bear Dance, talks with PGA Head Professional Mark Pfingston about the clubs operations

Receiving this award gave me the chance to remember the hundreds of great professionals who have come through the “turn-style,” if you will, in the 30 years I have been in this business. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work beside so many great individuals and to possibly have had a chance to make a positive impact in their career choices.

What do you believe are the qualities you possess that support your nomination for this award?

I believe that understanding my own strengths and weaknesses has enhanced my success. I can then hire people with the qualities to fill-in my voids. Everyone has some holes to fill and there are always people out there who have the skill-sets to fill them. I would also say that you can’t be afraid to hire really great people.

Hiring, promoting and giving talented people the opportunity to step-up and prove themselves gives them the proficiencies they need to succeed now and in the future while making the business and me better at the same time.

What are some tools you use in your profession that you wish you had known when you were beginning your career?

Patience is the biggest one for me. To be able to sit and absorb what is really happening before reacting is a valuable tool when managing people. I work hard to be that person who is able to react calmly in the midst of an urgent situation.

As it relates to golf, what is the best piece of advice you have received and what advice would you give to others?

The first golf professional I ever worked for told me to make sure you hire people who are strong in the areas where you are weak. Everyone has deficiencies and if you can find people who can fill those voids, you have

your best chance at success.

This is the same advice I would pass along to someone else.

What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Giving my 18-year-old-self advice is much like talking with my son Brock who has recently gotten into the golf business. I would say, “Do what you love.” Be passionate about what you do. Being able to get up, go to work and love what you do every day is what drives your quality of life. I think society tries to teach us that money drives happiness and, if we are lucky, we may be blessed to have both happiness and money. But having a love and a passion for what we choose to do are the attributes that get us through the more difficult times.

I might also tell myself to be present. When I am home and don’t have to be someplace else, I love coming to Bear Dance and being with the people here, mingling with our members, our patrons and our staff. It’s a good life and I am at peace with where I am and what I am doing.

What is your proudest moment as a golf professional?

For me, it’s seeing our various team members from all of our golf properties be role models in their industry.

Seeing them set up and show their desire to succeed is extremely rewarding to me.

Although many of my personal family members are involved in the operations on a daily basis, we strive to make the entire group that works for us feel like family, as well. Having my son, Brock, get into the golf business is heart-warming and working alongside my brother, Steve, gives me great pride.

On a wider scale, however, I would say that being able to give our employees the ability to provide for their families while enjoying what they do is very special.

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Colorado PGA News

Contribution and Longevity Make Heyen Perfect Recipient of Warren Smith Award

by Judy Malone

K

yle Heyen’s long and distinguished career in the golf business makes him the perfect choice to receive the 2018 Warren Smith Award.

“It is a privilege to be recognized with the Warren Smith Award,” begins Heyen. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my wife, Cheryl, and I thank her for her continued support of me, my career and my passion for golf.

“It has always been my goal to work to improve the golf world for the members of the Colorado Section without bringing my own agenda to the table. I have been blessed with a great circle of friends and colleagues and have worked with very supportive Executive Directors and PGA office staff to get me to where I am today. I am a believer in ‘It Takes a Village.’”

A Colorado native, Heyen fell in love with golf as a young teenager through his first position as a range boy at Highland Hills Golf Course in Westminster.

“That was one of the greatest summers of my life,” remembers Heyen. “I performed my duties as a range

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boy and played golf all day – what was there not to love? I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.”

After high school, Heyen got back into golf when he was introduced to the group at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada and started taking lessons from Vic Kline, PGA. It was at Indian Tree that he got into the apprenticeship program and then into the business school. After two seasons at Indian Tree, he worked a season at Hyland Hills Golf Course before landing at Hiwan Golf Club in December of 1980 as the Assistant Professional and then the Head Professional. Thirty-eight years later, Heyen still fondly calls Hiwan home.

“My resume is kind of a boring read as far as employment goes,” admits Heyen. “Hiwan has been a great place for me; what I get to do every day doesn’t feel like work to me. I get to be around a business that is a recreational activity to those I serve and I am honored to be a part of their leisure time.

“There are so many things that I have been blessed with over my life-time,” concludes Heyen. “I am blessed with great friends and lasting relationships. Thank you

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

to everyone for believing in me over the years.”

Colorado PGA News

What does it mean to you to receive the Warren Smith Award?

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to get to know Warren Smith a little bit and even got to play golf with him once at Hiwan. I also had the privilege of being in the audience when Smith was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame. What I most remember about him is that he had a way of making people feel comfortable, showing you his smile as he shook your hand.

With all that said, I am humbled to be the recipient of this award that is in recognition of someone I admire and who is acclaimed Kyle Heyen, seen here in the golf shop at Hiwan Golf Club, has called the Evergreen, Colo. golf for his longevity and contribution club his home since 1980. to the industry, as well as for his As it relates to golf, what is the best piece of advice outstanding service and leadership. My passion has you have received and what advice would you give to been and continues to be working on the governance others? side of the industry and just being around the game of I think the best piece of advice I received was to treat golf every day. everybody the same.

What do you believe are the qualities you possess that My advice to others would be to listen, work hard, support your nomination for this award? be involved by rolling up your sleeves and be a great Dedication and hard work are important qualities to leader. me. Also, we are in the customer service business What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self? where we work with many different personalities so I try to be consistent and to treat everyone the same.

I think I would tell myself a couple things. The first Warren Smith always had a saying that I’m going to would be to learn to be a good listener. Secondly, make paraphrase, “We all have our favorite members but it a goal to improve yourself every day; take advantage despite that, it is our job to treat them all the same.” of each and every educational opportunity that comes your way as there is always more to learn.

Finally, having had the opportunity to be a part of the Section and the National governance, I have been around a lot of really smart individuals. I approach each What is your proudest moment as a golf professional? committee and board meeting like learning experience As far as being a golf professional, my singularly and have the expectation that I will walk away with proudest moment was the day I became the Head Golf something new from each meeting.

Professional at Hiwan Golf Club. This answer is more What are some tools you use in your profession that you wish you had known when you were beginning your career?

Balancing your business and being able to multi-task.

I think one thing that is important for individuals who are just getting started in the golf business to understand is that you need to have eyes all the way around. As you take care of one customer, you also need to be cognizant of what else is happening around you. Keeping a broad focus and balancing what’s on your plate are extremely helpful especially with the many hats we as golf professionals wear – running the shop, golf lessons, Jr. League and tournaments, to name a few.

difficult when I think about the events I have been involved with on the governance side of the business.

I loved being Section President and found my time as a member of the Board of Directors of the PGA of America very enlightening.

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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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.

Wayne Leighton, PGA Director of Golf City of Greeley Where did you grow up?

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

My grandmother taught me the game one summer in the early 1960’s at a golf course in Topeka, Kan. with sand greens. She was a great player and I still have some of her golf trophies from the 1930’s.

Why did you choose to become a PGA Golf professional?

My passion for the game of golf. I knew from a very young age after watching the City of Greeley team members, Mayor Tom Norton, City Manager Roy person behind the golf shop counter that Otto, Director of Golf, Wayne Leighton and Mayor Pro-tem John Gates would be me someday.

What makes you the most proud about being a PGA Professional?

Being recognized as a member and part of the most prestigious organization in golf.

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

Only Highland Hills GC in Greeley, CO. I was hired by Bob McNamee as an Assistant Golf Professional and when he left for the Pelican Lakes position, he told me to stay. I’ve never left.

I started as Assistant Golf professional, became Head Golf professional and know Director of Golf over Highland Hills GC and Boomerang Links GC in Greeley, Colo.

What hobbies do you have outside golf?

After many years in the golf business, I now enjoy leaving golf behind for a week or so. My most enjoyment is boating. I love being out on the water.

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

It would be the real shot makers in golf history; Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and my father in his prime.

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Tournament News

TPC Colorado Set to Host Colorado PGA Professional Championship

The sixth hole at TPC Colorado epitomizes the golf course. The risk-reward par-4 includes incredible views of Long’s Peak, stacked sod bunkers and plenty of wispy heather to catch errant tee shots.

Section Championship Preview

T

he biggest Colorado PGA championship of the year heads to arguably the most anticipated new golf course the state has seen open in nearly a decade as the Colorado PGA Professional Championship will be hosted next week at TPC Colorado in Berthoud, Colo.

TPC Colorado, which has opened in phases this year, has a number of notable features that distinguish it from other Colorado facilities. The course sits on nearly 800 acres and will include housing on the perimeter of the property. The course is located east of three reservoirs – Lonetree, Welch and McNeil – and offers a number of stunning views of the Front Range, including Long’s Peak. The course also features stacked-sod bunkers, elevated The championship may be decided at the downhill par-3 16th hole that sits just feet away from the clubhouse at TPC Colorado. greens and fescue rough that is thin and delicate, allowing miss-hit golf balls to be played towards the green.

The golf course features a number of risk reward holes including the drivable par-4 third hole, which plays around the corner of a large pond. Hole six, another drivable par-4, is modeled after the 10th hole at Riviera in Los Angeles and is appropriately named.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

TPC Colorado has few trees on the property that only come into play on the par-3 eighth hole, which plays out into Lonetree Reservoir.

The course also features plenty of length, stretching out to 7,991 yards, and will play to a maximum of 7,447 yards for the championship. A number of tees are featured and can be played from as short as 4,157 on the front tees.

Tournament officials will adjust yardages daily to offer different looks on the course with the daily yardage playing closer to 7,400 yards for the men and 6,150 yards for the women. The 722-yard par-5 thirteenth hole, which plays downhill, will be a true three-shot par-5. It includes a 110-yard-long “Hell Bunker,” inspired by the bunker of the same name at the home of golf, St. Andrews in Scotland.

Tournament News

Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Sales Rep with AndersonArd Apparel and a three-time champion of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship, will look to add another title to his resume next week as the TPC Colorado hosts the 2018 Colorado PGA Professional Championship.

The course has received high praise from the golf community and will likely receive more as the course has an agreement with the Web.com Tour to host an event at the club for at least five years beginning in the summer of 2019. It will be the first time an annual tour event will be held in Colorado since the International departed from Castle Pines Golf Club in 2006.

Experienced PGA Professional staff oversee the course. Larry Collins, the longtime General Manager at Omni Interlocken Golf Resort, is working on his fifth build out of a new facility in his career and is with his sixth TPC property. Chad Poirot, who worked with the clubs ownership group at Highland Meadows Golf Course, serves as the ownership representative at TPC Colorado. Stephen Arendt joins them as the PGA Head Professional having moved to the Section from Hawaii where he served as the Head Professional at the Plantation Course at Kapalua.

They are joined by PGA Assistant Professionals Samuel Veigele, Robert O’Hara and Nick Perry.

The field for the event is larger than in years past with 128 players registered for the championship. A number of notable players highlight the field including 2017 Section Championship runner-up Rick Cole, and 2018 Colorado Senior Section Champion Mike Zaremba.

Also competing are three-time champions Doug Rohrbaugh, Ken Krieger, Bill Loeffler and Ron Vlosich. Other past champions in the field include Caine Fitzgerald, Rob Hunt, Mike Northern and Micah Rudosky. The past two champions are not in the field as John Ogden is battling injuries and Geoff Keffer failed to register for the event.

A number of clubs are represented by numerous staff members competing in the event. Denver Country Club will have five staff members competing while Cherry Hills Country Club, Red Sky Golf Club and the Links Golf Course will be represented by four staff members each.

We have four ladies competing int he championship this year. Two-time Colorado PGA Women’s Champion Alexandra Braga will be joined by Sherry Andonian, PGA Instructor at Valley Country Club, Maggie Hartman, PGA Program Coordinator at the First Tee of Pikes Peaks, and Liz McCabe, PGA Assistant Professional from Red Sky Golf Club.

The event will start on Monday, September 10, 2018, with a one-tee start at 7:30am going through 1:58pm. Pairings will be reversed for Tuesday and the field will be cut to the low 50 percent and ties. The final round will begin at 7:30am on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, with the leaders beginning their final round between 10:00am and 11:00am. Scores will be collected after nine holes during the first two rounds and at four different intervals during the final round.

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Tournament News

Morris Claims Colorado PGA Women’s Championship in Exciting Fashion CC at Castle Pines Assistant Professional Birdies First Hole of Playoff to Claim Title

T

ara Morris hasn’t felt her heart beat like it did on Thursday at the Ranch Country Club in quite some time. The PGA Professional from the Country Club at Castle Pines hasn’t had time to put herself in that position very often with her busy work schedule.

Things all changed on Thursday though as the former Cactus and Symetra Tour player competed her way into contention during the final round of the Colorado PGA Women’s Championship and claimed victory on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.

Morris started the day one-shot behind two-time defending champion Alexandra Braga after posting a 68 on Wednesday. Braga, a PGA Assistant Professional at Denver Country Club, closed out her first round with

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three straight birdies to post a four-under-par 67. Morris got off to a bad start for the second day in a row, opening bogey-bogey. She was able to string together four birdies the rest of the day to go with another bogey at the par-3 17th hole.

“Both days I had a bad start,” notes Morris, a native of Dodge City, Kan. “I was just trying to battle back from that all-day long and just trying to get back to evenpar if I could. Eventually, I made enough birdies that it worked out for me!”

It took a lot for Morris to get back into the mix on Thursday. Braga opened with a two-under-par 33 to build a three-stroke lead at the turn. A bogey at the par-4 10th brought Morris within two-shots and after a

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Tournament News

just short and right of the hole before tapping in for par. Morris took her time over the putt, knowing it was quick.

“I knew I had a chance to win the tournament right then and I knew it was a really fast putt so my speed had to be really, really good,” she notes. “And luckily, it was and the birdie putt ended up falling into the back of the hole!”

Speed wasn’t the only thing Morris faced over that putt. Not having been in contention in years, Morris admitted her heart was racing.

“The last time I felt my heart beat like that was during qualifying for the US Amateur. There were 15 or 16 us of playing in a playoff in OrMorris tees off on the downhill par-4 tenth hole, the first hole of the playoff. egon and there were people lining the fairway. It was a hole that I had back-and-forth battle on the back nine, the pair came bogeyed all week and I was incredibly nervous. I ended to the 18th tee with Braga holding a one shot lead. up making the birdie and getting in. I haven’t felt this heart beat since then,” she said with a laugh.

Morris’s tee shot at the uphill par-4 18th hole came up just short of a fairway bunker leaving her a difficult Morris came into the week not expecting much but second shot. Braga’s tee shot found the left rough and knew that she had the potential to play well. “I didn’t with it, tree trouble on her approach. have big expectations coming into this event. I just wanted to come out and play and see all of the ladies Morris was able to play her apin the Section. I haven’t played proach to the front apron while much but when I have, I’ve played Braga could only chip out, leaving pretty well,” she says. “My husherself about sixty yards for her band and I have a running joke third shot. Braga’s third came up about birdie-turkeys (making three short of the green and she missed birdies in a row). I’ve done that her attempt at par. four times this summer and did it Morris was able to play her third yesterday with a birdie-eagle-birdshot just short of the flag and ie. I asked him if that counted last made a seemingly routine par. Left night since we get a prize for a with a downhill right to left putt, birdie-turkey!”

Braga was able to get her bogey It’s fair to say that her prize on putt to sneak in sending the pair Thursday might outweigh her birdto a playoff. ie-turkey prize. Morris took home Starting the playoff, both players a $1,000 first-place prize as this hit their tee shots to the fairway at year was the first time the winning the downhill par-4 10th hole with check for the event reached four Braga having a twenty yard addigits. She will also represent the vantage off the tee. Braga seemed Colorado PGA at the 2019 PGA to grab the momentum as they Women’s Stroke Play Championboth played solid shots onto the ship. The entry fee and travel for green. Braga was left with the easthat event will be underwritten by ier of the two putts, 12 feet uphill the Colorado PGA REACH Founwhile Morris had a slick eight foot dation.

Tarra Morris reacts as her birdie putt falls in the putt straight down the hill.

Braga gave her birdie putt a roll but barely missed, leaving the ball

backside of the hole on the first playoff hole.

Morris claimed her first Colorado PGA Women’s Championshipo on Thursday, September 23, 2018.

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Tournament News

Dow Finsterwald Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 | Doug Rohrbaugh | Ironbridge Golf Club | 5238.07 2 | Geoff Keffer | Greater Golfer Development Center | 4706.17 3 | Rick Cole | Eaton Country Club | 4524.53 4 | Eric Bradley | Black Bear Golf Club | 4506.51 5 | Caine Fitzgerald | Meadow Hills Golf Course | 4482.01 6 | Mike Northern | Life Member | 3339.67 7 | Blake Sharamitaro | Riverdale Golf Courses | 2956.97 8 | Scott Sommers | Saddleback Golf Club | 2410.9 9 | Peter Norwood | MetaGolf Learning Center | 1957.71 10 | Jason Witczak | The Club at Pradera | 1943.2 11 | Chris Johnson | Life Member | 1905.16 12 | Jeff Carter | Riverdale Golf Courses | 1591.92 13 | Visanu Tongwarin | Legacy Ridge Golf Course | 1495.87 14 | Kyle Voska | The Links Golf Course | 1471.83 15 | Barry Milstead | Valley Country Club | 1441 16 | Ron Vlosich | Life Member | 1432.75 17 | Brian Gott | Green Valley Ranch Golf Club | 1394.7 18 | Zane Zwemke | Saddle Rock Golf Course | 1328.5 19 | Sherry Andonian | Valley Country Club | 1320.47 20 | Scott Hart | Life Member | 1242.74 21 | Perry Holmes | Colorado National Golf Club | 1170.93 22 | Tray Shehee | Ute Creek Golf Course | 1165.13 23 | Ken Krieger | Cheyenne Country Club | 1161.3 24 | Bobby Quaratino | West Woods Golf Club | 1054.5 25 | Dave Detweiler | Life Member | 1042.53 26 | Micah Rudosky | Conquistador Golf Course | 1000 27 | Michael Weingartner | Thorncreek Golf Club | 972.5

Senior Colorado PGA OMEGA Player of the Year 1 | Doug Rohrbaugh | Ironbridge Golf Club | 8140.57 2 | Rick Cole | Eaton Country Club | 6233.03 3 | Mike Northern | Life Member | 4902.17 4 | Chris Johnson | Life Member | 3905.16 5 | Scott Sommers | Saddleback Golf Club | 3083.9 6 | Barry Milstead | Valley Country Club | 2965.71 7 | Michael Zaremba | Desert Hawk at Pueblo West | 2866.5 8 | Jeff Hanson | Red Sky Golf Club | 2818 9 | Ron Vlosich | Life Member | 2213.46 10 | Brian Gott | Gott Golf | 2147.7

Colorado PGA Associate Player of the Year 1 | Ben Lanting | Bear Creek Golf Club | 4124.53 2 | Bryan Hackenberg | Todd Creek Golf Club | 3235.54 3 | Patrick Grady | University of Colorado | 2210.2 4 | Andrew Hebert | Indian Peaks Golf Course | 1780.33 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 | 1429.54 8 | Jeramy Curry | The Links Golf Course | 1119.33 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

September 2018 - Section Championship Preview

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

Working On A Return Trip

by Gary Baines

C

aitlyn Chin of Greenwood Village, one of just four Coloradans ever to compete in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Championship at Augusta National on the Sunday prior to the Masters, has given herself a chance to earn a second trip to the finals of the event.

Chin was one of 16 junior golfers who qualified on Saturday at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora for DCP Regionals. Regionals mark the third of four qualifying stages for DCP, and it's where the winners of each age/ gender division earn spots in the Nationals in Augusta, Ga. Chin competed in the girls 7-9 division at Augusta National in 2016, and now she's in the 10-11 group. She won that division in Saturday's Sub-Regional at Murphy Creek and will book a trip to Regionals, which are set for Sept.

29 at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, site of this month's PGA Championship. The winners of each age/gender division there will land a spot in the DCP National Championship, scheduled for April 7 at Augusta National.

Also among those advancing to Regionals on Saturday at Murphy Creek was Matai Naqica of Centennial, who recently won the boys 11-13 Junior Series Championship conducted by the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.

Naqica prevailed for the boys 12-13 Sub-Regional title on Saturday with an impressive point total of 177 -- the best of the day in any division.

The qualfiers from Murphy Creek join those from Thorncreek Golf Course in Thornton, who punched their Regional tickets on Aug. 18.

Twelve of those who advanced on Saturday are from Colorado, while 14 from the Thorncreek competition are.

Those who have competed the last two weekends had already advanced from Local Qualifying as eight such events were held in Colorado this year, including one during U.S. Senior Open week at The Broadmoor Golf Club earlier this summer.

Last year, Kaden Ford of Colorado Springs became the fourth Coloradan ever to compete in the nationallytelevised DCP National Championship. He finished sixth in the boys 14-15 division.

In DCP competitions, contestants score points in each discipline -- driving, chipping and putting -- which are added together for a cumulative total.

In all, 40 boys and 40 girls will compete in the Nationals of the DCP, which is sponsored by the Masters, the USGA and the PGA of America. The competition is limited to players 7-15.

Here are the Drive Chip & Putt Regional Qualifiers from the Murphy Creek GC Sub-Regional on Saturday: Score: Drive-Chip-Putt=Total Boys 7-9 Shea Clanton, Lincoln, Neb. 18-41-50--109 Ryan Fenton, Colorado Springs 17-35-55—107

Score: Drive-Chip-Putt=Total Girls 7-9 Annabel Roy, Denver 8-22-55--85 Adrielle Miller, Highlands Ranch 11-19-41—71

Boys 10-11 Steven Suges, Grapevine, Texas 37-45-46--128 Miles Kuhl, Boulder 22-45-40--107

Girls 10-11 Caitlyn Chin, Greenwood Village 34-40-52--126 Taylor Hale, Eagle 36-40-42—118

Boys 12-13 Matai Naqica, Centennial 52-55-70--177 Trevor Gutschewski, Elkhorn, Neb. 44-50-46—140

Girls 12-13 Chunya Boonta, Centennial 33-50-22--105 Madeline Bante, Denver 32-21-41—94

Boys 14-15 Maxwell Lange, Golden 61-50-50--161 Ben Harding, Longmont 38-45-65—148

Girls 14-15 Lauren Thiele, Wahoo, Neb. 20-55-60--135 Elle Higgins, Centennial 39-40-36—115 For all the results from Murphy Creek, CLICK HERE.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

One Step Closer

by Gary Baines

S

ixteen Coloradans advanced to the third of four stages of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship on Saturday at Thorncreek Golf Course in Thornton.

And they’ll be joined by others next weekend.

Last year, Kaden Ford of Colorado Springs became the fourth Coloradan ever to compete in the nationallytelevised DCP National Championship. He finished sixth in the boys 14-15 division.

Thorncreek hosted the first of two Colorado-based Sub-Regional DCP competitions on Saturday, with Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora doing the second on Aug. 25.

In DCP competitions, contestants score points in each discipline -- driving, chipping and putting -- which are added together for a cumulative total.

The competitors have already advanced from Local Qualifying as eight such events were held in Colorado this year, including one during U.S. Senior Open week at The Broadmoor Golf Club earlier this summer. And at Thorncreek and Murphy Creek, the top two finishers in each of eight age/gender divisions are punching their tickets to the Regional Qualifying, which will be conducted on Sept. 29 at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, site of the recent PGA Championship. There, just the winner in each age/gender division will earn a spot in the DCP National Championship, set for April 7 at Augusta National on the Sunday preceding the 2019 Masters.

Score: Drive-Chip-Putt=Total Boys 7-9 Benjamin Pederson, Arvada 20-35-55--110 Grady Ortiz, Colorado Springs 20-31-45--96 Boys 10-11 Gregory White, Centennial 31-40-50--121 Jake Dost, Parker 39-35-47—121 Boys 12-13 Reese Knox, Peyton 45-45-42--132 Carter Surofchek, Colorado Springs 32-40-45—117 Boys 14-15 Jackson Rottschafer, Centennial 47-45-60--152 Matthew Wilkinson, Centennial 47-37-60—144

In all, 40 boys and 40 girls will compete in the Nationals of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, which is sponsored by the Masters, the USGA and the PGA of America. The competition is limited to players 7-15.

Among the 14 Coloradans who advanced to Regional Qualifying on Saturday (in addition to two out-of-state golfers) was Sofia Choi of Littleton (the girls 14-15 champion), who also made it to Regionals last year.

Choi won Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado Junior Series Championships in both 2016 and ‘17.

Here are the Drive Chip & Putt Regional Qualifiers from the Thorncreek GC Sub-Regional on Saturday: Girls 7-9 Jadie Wilson, Denver 17-3-60--80 Amalei Lagrimas, Castle Rock 18-26-36—80 Girls 10-11 Emmalee Johnson, Denver 18-18-60--96 Addison Hines, Arvada 21-11-60—92 Girls 12-13 Ali Mulhall, Mesquite Nevada 44-23-55--122 Rylee Salome, Los Lunas, N.M. 36-30-45—111 Girls 14-15 Sofia Choi, Littleton 52-45-60--157 Grace Ha, Greenwood Village 40-31-60--131

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

Timm Golf Academy to Compete in Regional at Firewheel Golf Park

Winner of Regional advances to PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental Nov. 16-19

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n all-star team of junior golfers, ages 13 and under from the Centennial area, will be competing in the PGA Jr. League Regional presented by National Car Rental at Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas, Sept. 8-9.

The winner will advance to the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental Nov. 16-19 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Timm Golf Academy All-Stars captured the Colorado Section Championship at Thorncreek Golf Course in Thornton to advance to the Regional. All-Star teams competing in the Regional at Firewheel Golf Park include: •

Timm Golf Academy All-Stars (Colorado PGA Section) – All players are from Timm Golf Academy in Centennial, Colo.

•

Albuquerque B All-Stars (Sun Country PGA Section) – Players are from UNM Championship Golf Course (Albuquerque, N.M.); Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course (Albuquerque, N.M.); Albuquerque Country Club (Albuquerque, N.M.); and New Mexico Tech Golf Course (Socorro, N.M.).

•

McKinney All-Stars (Northern Texas PGA Section) – Players are from Eldorado Country Club (McKinney, Texas); The Courses at Watters Creek (Plano, Texas); Prestonwood Country Club (Plano, Texas); Gentle Creek Golf Club (Prosper, Texas); Hank Haney Golf Academy at Westridge (McKinney, Texas); and Hurricane Creek Country Club (Anna, Texas).

•

Axis All-Stars (Southern Texas PGA Section) – All players are from Axis Golf Academy in Montgomery, Texas.

Following the close of the regular season (July 31), 10-player All-Star teams were formed from a combination of players in each league, based upon standings. The postseason begins with the All-Star teams competing in Sectional qualifiers, followed by Section Championships hosted by all 41 PGA Sections nationwide. A total of 48 Section Champions* move on to one of 12 Regionals, with the 12 Regional winners advancing to the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental.

PGA Jr. League brings friends and families together around fun, coed team golf experiences, with expert coaching and instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals, who serve as Captains of the teams. Kids wear numbered jerseys and play on teams with friends, using a scramble format for competition that accommodates players of all skill levels. A record 50,000 boys and girls participated in PGA Jr. League this year, growing from 42,000 players in 2017. Accordingly, the PGA Jr. League Championship is expanding from eight teams to 12.

The PGA Jr. League Postseason presented by National Car Rental is designed to celebrate the regular recreational season held in April through July, as well as provide a fun and welcoming environment for the 20 percent of PGA Jr. League players who identify as competitive golfers. As a premium, internationally recognized brand serving the daily rental needs of frequent airport travelers worldwide and the Official Partner of PGA Jr. League, National Car Rental is committed to growing future business leaders by growing junior golf. National Car Rental helps provide fun, engaging and welcoming experiences for PGA Jr. League golfers and their families all season and postseason long. *There are seven sections that received at large bids determined on participation from 2017 and a ratio of Players to Captains in 2017. Those sections will advance two teams to the Regional competition. Those sections are: New England, Middle Atlantic, Carolinas, Kentucky, Illinois, Gateway, and Pacific Northwest.

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News

Crowning Champs!

JGAC Crown Junior Series Champions

by Gary Baines Peruse the list of winners for the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado's Junior Series Championship, and it's an impressive group.

There's Jennifer Kupcho, a three-time champ, who won the Women's NCAA Division I individual title in May. There's Elizabeth Wang, who earlier this week advanced to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women's Amateur.

And there's Coby Welch, who just finished second in the CGA Amateur and who will be playing in next week's U.S. Amateur along with another Junior Series winner, AJ Ott. The kids who won Junior Series Championships on Saturday can look at those names on the trophy and dream of having similar success in years to come.

"That's amazing how those players won this," said Hadley Ashton of Erie, who captured the girls 11-13 title on Saturday. "I think about that, but I try to stay in the moment and win as many as I can. I try to get better as I get older because the competition gets harder."

Among the six champions on Saturday -- two each in three age groups -- was one (Andre Dumonteil of Centennial, left) who became just the fifth player to win three Junior Series titles, regardless of age, joining Kupcho, Welch, Somin Lee and Ashleigh Wilson.

Another champ, Traejan Andrews of Windsor, became the 10th player to win two or more Junior Series Championships.

And another, Ashton, claimed the 11-13 Junior Series title despite being just 10 years old.

All told, the following six players earned championships: 14-18 tournament at Eaton County Club -- Andrews (boys), Jessica Mason of Westminster (girls).

11-13 tournament at Eaton CC -- Matai Naqica of Centennial (boys), Ashton (girls).

10 and under tournament at Heather Gardens Golf Course in Aurora -- Dumonteil (boys), Taylor Hale of Eagle (girls).

Here's the breakdown:

Ashton, Naqica Rule 11-13 Ashton won't turn 11 until next month, but you'd never know it by the way she's dominated the competition in the 11-13 Junior Series this year. Including Saturday, she's won 12 times in 14 tournaments.

At Eaton Country Club, Ashton shot back-to-back rounds of 78 for a 14-over-par 156 total. That gave her a four-stroke victory the year after she placed third in the 11-13 tournment as a nine-year-old.

"This means a lot," said Ashton, who will start sixth grade at Erie Middle School this coming week. "I've always wanted to win this one, especially when I started in the 10 and unders. This means a lot to do it as a 10 year old in the 11-13 Series."

In her own age division, Ashton has fared very well this summer in major national and international tournaments, finishing fifth in the girls 9-10 division at the IMG Academy Junior World Championships, and 12th among 10-year-old girls at the U.S. Kids World Championship.

"It's definitely been a special summer," she said. "The thing I'm most proud of is finishing fifth at IMGs because it was really hard competition. And I'm also really proud of winning these (Junior Series) tournaments."

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Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado News Placing second in the girls 11-13 competition on Saturday was Kaitlin Zingler of Lakewood, who finished four behind Ashton after a second-round 79.

In the boys 11-13 tournament, Naqica (pictured above with Ashton) started the day five shots out of the lead and wasn't helping his cause much through 13 holes as he stood 2 over par for the day. But then things changed in a hurry.

The 12-year-old put together a torrid stretch where he went 5 under par in four holes, going eagle-birdie-birdie-birdie. He holed a 70-yard shot with a wedge for his eagle on the par-5 14th, then sank birdie putts of 10, 3 and 3 feet on the next three holes.

"That's the first time I've ever had a stretch like that," Naqica said. "That gave me a lot of confidence."

Despite a bogey on his final hole, he shot a 2-under-par 69 -- the lowest round of the tournament -- and won by two with a 4-over-par 146 total.

Naqica wasn't expecting to have a chance to prevail on Saturday after trailing by five shots after the first round.

But that back-nine stretch worked wonders.

"I was expecting to come in third or second today," he said after his fourth victory of the JGAC season.

And it was certainly a big-time improvement on how he fared last year in this event.

"I came in second-to-last last year at Fox Hill with a 92 and an 87, so this is great," he said.

Three players shared second place among the 11-13 boys on Saturday -- first-round leader Max Weisser of Denver, Andrew White of Centennial and Blake Sullivan fo Castle Pines.

White played his final seven holes in 5 under par, making four straight birdies starting on No. 14.

Andrews, Mason Prevail in 14-18 Andrews, a member of the Hale Irwin Player Program at CommonGround Golf Course, suffered a frustrating loss in last year's 11-13 Junior Series Championship as he three-putted the first playoff hole. But he gained some redemption on Saturday with his victory in the boys 14-18 tournament.

Andrews shot a 1-over-par 72 on Saturday to post a 5-over 147 total, good for a three-stroke win, his second of the JGAC season.

"Of course it feels really good, for sure" after what happened in 2017, the 14-year-old said. "I just stayed more calm this year."

Helping the cause on Friday was driving the 303-yard 12th green and two-putting from 10 feet for birdie. He also two-putted for another birdie at the par-5 16th.

It's been a good week for Andrews, who won his first high school tournament by eight shots on Thursday as a freshman for Northridge.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

"My friends were sending me screen shots of the (high school) rankings board," he noted. "I was like, 'Dude, it's one tournament.'"

As noted, Saturday marked Andrews second Junior Series victory, having won in the 10-and-under ranks in 2014.

"It's definitely special," he said of the accomplishment.

Maxwell Lange of Golden finished runner-up in the nine-player field, closing with a 74 for a 150 total.

On the girls side in 14-18, Mason went wire-to-wire for a seven-stroke victory.

The 14-year-old freshman-to-be at Holy Family High School posted a final-round 84 for a 164 total.

"It means a lot," Mason said after her third victory of the JGAC season. "I didn't play great, but it's still a good opportunity to win."

Mason has only been playing golf to any significant extent for two years, so to win the Junior Series title is no small feat. And it was her first time playing in this event, no less.

"This year was when I said, 'OK, let's start doing it.'" she said of tournament golf. "I've come a long way" in two years.

Finishing second Saturday was Amira Badruddin of Parker, who carded a second-round 83 for a 171 total.

3-Peat for Dumonteil, Title for Hale in 10 and Under A year after Wilson became the first person to win three straight titles in the Junior Series 10 and under Championship, Dumonteil posted a three-peat of his own.

He won last year's title in this event by six strokes, and nearly matched that margin on Saturday at Heather Gardens. Dumonteil shot a 3-under-par 63, good for a five-shot win.

The 10-year-old made an eagle, four birdies (including three straight) and three bogeys on the day.

It was the ninth win of the JGAC season for Dumonteil.

Ross Miller of Highlands Ranch placed second at 68 after a three-birdie day.

In the girls 10 and under tournament, Hale (left) fired a 7-over-par 73 and recorded a one-stroke win. The 10-year-old made three birdies on Saturday.

It was Hale's third victory of 2018 in JGAC tournaments.

Livia Pett of Denver was runner-up at 74.

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Presidents Club | $20,000 and above

Colorado Chevy Dealers Colorado Golf and Turf Tom Bauerle

PGA Tour National Car Rental

Platinum | $10,000 Colorado AvidGolfer Allen Walters

OMEGA

Platinum | $7,500

Under Armour Nancy Huppert

Gold | $5,000

Denver Golf Expo Mark Cramer

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Breckenridge Distillery Mike Horan

Masek Golf Cars Jason Masek

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Digital Magazine

Silver | $2,500 Adidas/Ashworth Mike Bryant

GolfStatus Jason Meininger, PGA

AHEAD Zach Ledvina

GOLFTEC

PTE Golf Matt Pollitt Maui Jim Sunglasses Kevin Neff

Sterling Cut Glass

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Bronze | $1,000

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