Executive Director’s Report

Executive Director’s Message

Who We Are:

Every now and then I am asked what I do for a living. When I tell people I work for the Colorado PGA, their initial thought is of Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and the PGA Tour’s weekly televised events, as they’re often confused as to what the difference between the members of the PGA of America and the PGA Tour.

When I explain that the members and associates of the PGA of America are the people who run the golf industry on a day-to-day basis by using their expertise in the game to operate golf facilities, teach, and in general, be the experts in the game and business of golf, only then do they begin to understand the differences. I then explain to them that the Colorado Section of the PGA promotes the game of golf for the golfers of Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and a small part of South Dakota. Our purpose is to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game, and to contribute to its growth by providing services to our PGA Golf Professionals and the golf industry within the Section.

I go on to tell them that we are a group of men and women who grew up with a passion for the game of golf. We turned that passion into a career and now we get the opportunity to do something every day that we love, and maybe most of all, we get to share our passion with others, hopefully making a positive impact in their day and in their lives as the game of golf is a game for a lifetime.

I continue to inform them that to be a member of the Colorado PGA means you are among the finest, as the Colorado Section of the PGA is often recognized as one of the top Sections among the 41 Sections within the PGA of America. Time and time again our Colorado PGA Members are recognized as the best of the best in the golf industry, winning numerous national awards - the Colorado Section has even been recognized as the leading Section in growing the game of golf. I then begin to brag about what our Colorado PGA Professionals are doing through our Foundation, Colorado PGA REACH. I talk about how our men and women are making a positive difference in the lives of others through our threepillars: Youth Development, Supporting Our Military, and Diversity & Inclusion.

After explaining things like our no cost Golf in Schools Program, PGA Jr. League, the JGAC, how we help our veterans through PGA HOPE and award a mortgagefree home to a combat wounded veteran, and how we are making the game of golf more inclusive, all the while where our Colorado PGA Professionals are the largest contributors to our Foundation, and where 92 cents of every dollar donated are spent on delivering programs, people are usually blown away.

Most couldn’t have ever imagined what their local PGA Professionals are doing day in and day out to make a positive difference in the lives of others that live in their community!

Who are we? We are your neighbors, your friends, your community leaders, your children’s coaches and junior golf mentors, the experts in the game and business of golf, who each day are committed to bringing a little more joy to people’s lives through the game of golf.

We are: Colorado PGA Professionals!!

Very Respectfully,

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

Eddie Ainsworth, PGA

CEO/Executive Director Colorado PGA eainsworth@pgahq.com C | (719) 761-6125

Colorado PGA REACH

Colorado PGA Professionals make a positive difference in the lives of others through the game of golf, with programs for the youth in your community.

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Colorado PGA Golf in Schools

An introductory program at no cost to students or schools, PGA Professionals have been bringing the program to schools since 2008.

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PGA Jr. League - Teams are captained by PGA and LPGA Professionals in this fun, social and inclusive opportunity for boys and girls age 17 and under. Youth on Course - This program provides juniors the opportunity to play golf at participating facilities for no more than $5. In 2020, 30 facilities participated with over 4,000 rounds of golf played. Drive Chip & Putt - This free youth golf development initiative welcomes boys and girls ages 7-15. Local qualifying skills competitions are hosted by PGA Professionals.

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JGAC - For ages 6-18, the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado has 3 membership levels to choose from to introduce and promote the game of golf. All JGAC members have access to Youth on Course benefits.

Colorado PGA REACH is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Colorado PGA. To learn more about the YOUTH PILLAR of Colorado PGA REACH and programs for juniors, visit us online at coloradopga.com or call 303-996-1597.

April 2021