Colorado PGA - May 2015 Pro Peaks Newsetter

PROPEAKS The Official Publication of the Colorado PGA May 2015

COLORADO PGA ANNOUNCES SECOND PGA HOPE CHAPTER

What’s Inside?

- Greg Norman Collection to Sponsor West Chapter Championship - Colorado Golf and Turf Renews Partnership - Imperial Speed Matters Partnership Announced - And much more!

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter 2

Picture This!

A sprinkler left on overnight left rather interesting results at Beaver Creek Golf Club early this spring.

Photo courtesy of Ed Marzec, PGA | Assistant Golf Professional | Country Club of the Rockies

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

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www.coloradopga.com

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Contents President’s Report 5

District Director Report

20 Get In Session with

Golf in Schools 20 Colorado PGA Junior Golf

Introduces “Junior Links” Newsletter

Exec. Director’s Report

UCCS PGA PGM

Section Content

Tournaments

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8

Opportunities Abound!

Junior Golf

PGA of America Update

What’s Your Plan?!

9 Colorado PGA Announces

Second PGA HOPE Chapter 9 Colorado PGA Professional

to be featured on CBS 10 West Chapter Spring

Meeting Recap 11 Colorado Golf and Turf

Renews Partnership 12 Greg Norman - Dunning

Golf Announce New West

Chapter Championship Sponsorship 12 Woodbridge Realty Added

as Partner 14 Imperial Announces Speed

Matters Partnership with

Colorado PGA

Member Update 16 17

Members on the Move!

The Bulletin Board

22

Supporting an Intern

24 Inverness Golf Club Pro Am Recap 25 Valley Country Club Pro Am Recap 25 Stroke Play #1 Recap 27 Todd Creek Golf Club Pro

Am Recap 28 Stroke Play #2 Recap 28 Playing Ability Test Schedule

May 11, 2015 US Open Local Qualifier The Heritage at Westmoore May 11, 2015 US Open Local Qualifier Broadmoor Golf Club

Rules Article

May 18, 2015 Myran Craig Pro-Pro Colorado Golf Club

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Geoff Keffer, PGA

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We Don’t Need No Stinkin

Rules; Dropping Zones

Sponsors

32 Colorado PGA Partners

Colorado PGA Section Staff

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May 11, 2015 National Car Rental Pro Am Columbine Country Club

May 13, 2015 Stroke Play #3 Legacy Ridge Golf Course

19 Colorado PGA Members

Capitalize on KPMG

Women’s PGA Championship

Keith Soriano, PGA Player Dev.elopment Director/ Operations Manager ksoriano@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1590 C (720) 841-1006

May 4, 2015 Colorado AvidGolfer Pro Am Lakewood Country Club

What’s in the Bag?

Player Development

Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director/CEO eainsworth@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1593 C (719) 761-6125

Important Dates

Patrick Salva Marketing and Communications Director psalva@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1597 C (303) 246-1007

Diane Plassmeyer Business Director dplassmeyer@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1595 C (720) 271-9660

Justin Limon, PGA Tournament Manager jlimon@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1588 C (720) 390-1160 Katie Ann Robinson Junior Golf Director krobinson@PGAHQ.com P (303) 996-1591 C (303) 668-1551

May 19, 2015 US Open Local Qualifier Collindale Golf Course May 20, 2015 IVY Pro Am Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course Ft. Carson

Bruce Lubach Employment Consultant blubach@pgahq.com P (402) 261.3604 C (402) 802.8241

Opportunities Abound!

Hello Fellow PGA Members & Apprentices, The season is under way and we have some very exciting programs coming up in May! The “Ivy” Pro-Am features the Colorado Section partnering with the 4th Infantry Division of Ft. Carson on Wednesday, May 20th.

The hands-on clinic, lunch and proam will be held at the Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course located on the Ft. Carson Army Base. Each PGA Professional will be paired with 3 soldiers from the Warrior Transition Battalion for the 18 hole scramble. This year all participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the Dennis Walters Golf Show.

Last year, fellow PGA Professional, Geoff Keffer, played in the Pro-Am for the first time and had these comments to share, "The Fort Carson Pro-Am is a great experience that I believe every Pro in the section should participate in at least once. To be able to spend the day with all the amazing men and women of our armed forces who have served our country and given so much is an absolute honor." 30 Golf Professionals will be needed for the event so sign up today on the Colorado Section website!!

With the PGA of America purchasing the PGA Jr. League and all the national attention the program is receiving, it has taken the Colorado Section by storm. Last year the Denver Metro area had 8 facilities participating with 10 teams. This year we have 55 facilities participating across the Section with teams still being added. It’s not too late to get a team and join a league. For more information, call The Section’s Player Development Director, Keith Soriano or our Junior Golf Director, Katie Ann Robinson for more details.

As always, we would love to hear from you. If you have any questions for the Section Officers, Board of Directors or Section Administration Staff, please don’t hesitate to contact any of us.

Sincerely,

Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President Colorado PGA Head Professional Murphy Creek Golf Course

www.coloradopga.com

Officers Leslie Core-Drevecky, PGA President | 2015-2016 Ty Thompson, PGA Vice-President | 2015-2016 Ben Welsh, PGA Secretary | 2015-2016 Barry Milstead, PGA Hon. President | 2015-2016 Eddie Ainsworth, PGA Executive Director Board of Directors Andy Benson, PGA 2014-2016 Jeff Carlson, PGA 2014-2016 Sam Chapman, PGA 2014-2016 Matt Cohen, PGA 2013-2015 Rick Ellefson, PGA 2015-2017 Scott Erwin, PGA 2015-2017 Kyle Heyen, PGA District 9 Director Jim Hajek, PGA 2015-2017 Charles ‘Vic’ Kline, PGA Past District 9 Director Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA 2013-2015 Steve Patterson, PGA 2013-2015

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

President’s Message

West Chapter President Mike Mendelson, PGA Independent Director Theo Gregory Spencer Zinn

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

District 9 Director Report State of the Golf Panel, Performance Track, and Member Benefits

O

ver the past few years, the golf industry has seen numerous negative articles on the decline of the game. PGA of America staff, with the lead coming from our CEO Pete Bevacqua, spend countless hours in promoting the efforts of PGA Professionals growing the game of golf, in order to negate the impact of these stories.

During the Masters, Pete was on the State of Golf panel hosted by Forbes Magazine, along with: •

Mike Davis, Executive Director of USGA

•

Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner

•

Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation

•

Mike Whan, LPGA Commissioner

These leaders spoke directly on the economic health of the business of golf. Below are Pete’s comments from that panel discussion.

What is your view of golf for 2015?

Golf is on a positive turn, and it is encouraging to see golf participation rates start to produce positive momentum, especially among youth. We’re making an impact across all demographics through key initiatives, such as Get Golf Ready, PGA Junior League, and Drive, Chip and Putt.

The PGA of America is bullish on the golf industry based on some key trends: 1. Development of the next generation of golfers 2. Industry’s commitment to making golf more welcoming Led by our 28,000 PGA Professionals, the number of youth golfers has grown by 29% to 3.1 million golfers.

Our recent acquisition of PGA Junior League Golf elevates our youth commitment. PGA Junior League participation nearly doubled last year to more than

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17,000 boys and girls.

In June, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship will be held at Westchester Country Club.

The PGA is deeply committed to elevating the women’s game, and we’re excited to partner with KPMG and the LPGA to host this major. The championship also will host an innovative symposium for top businesswomen, so they can discover how the game serves as an opportunity to forge relationships and foster leadership skills. Through our partnership with KPMG and the LPGA this Championship will act as a platform to inspire girls and women to participate in golf throughout their lives.

What did you hope to accomplish with National Golf Day, April 15?

By communicating the PGA of America’s mission of serving our Members and growing the game of golf, we show that our PGA Professionals are leaders in golf and in their communities. It is imperative we promote golf’s nearly $70 billion annual economy, $4 billion annual charitable impact, environmental value and fitness benefits.

Another critical component to our meetings on National Golf Day will bring awareness to programming we deploy to grow the game of golf. Get Golf Ready has grown exponentially over the past year. The industrywide initiative is now comprised of 62% women and 21% minorities, with 88% who participated in 2014 having little or no golf experience. There were more than 99,000 students in Get Golf Ready in 2014 and a growth rate of 15% in its sixth year.

(National Golf Day is an annual event where our leadership spends the day at the United States Capitol with our country’s leaders).

• Samsung (Official Patron) - Discounts available on televisions, tablets, cameras and other consumer electronics at Samsung.com.

PGA PerformanceTrak

• National Car Rental (Official Partner) – Sign up for Emerald Club, and receive discounts on car rentals.

One of the best tools that we have at our fingertips is PGA PerformanceTrak.

Like you, at times it is a challenge to find a few minutes in our busy day to add another item to the list. However, the information you input on PerformanceTrak can make a difference. The data collected that is current and from PGA Professionals give our PGA Staff and leadership more positive information to share and educate the golfing public, in order to change the perception of the decline in golf.

PerformanceTrak data also can be used as your Financial Management Resource for your facility. By reporting and accessing PerformanceTrak, you can obtain: • Service to assist you with benchmarking your golf facility’s performance against your market • Monthly and year-to-date tracking, which provides you with insights on where you stand and where you need to act •

• KitchenAid (Official Partner) - Receive substantial discounts by registering and visiting their website.

• TruGreen (Official Licensee) – Receive up to 20% off lawn care.

If you visit the Member Benefits section of PGA.org, you will find additional information, as well as purchasing programs for these partners.

Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid Good luck to PGA member Steve Schnieter from the Utah Section, who will be competing in the Senior PGA Championship presented by Kitchen Aid, May 21-24, at French Lick Resort in Indiana.

I hope all of you have a great May of golf, with full tee sheets and lesson books!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kah57@me.com.

Access to local, regional and national trends

• Reporting to support business decisions, employer updates and financial planning

Sincerely,

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Paul Metzler, Senior Director of Research at the PGA of America.

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

This is an example of the day-to-day work that goes in fulfilling the mission of the PGA of America for serving the member and growing the game of golf.

Member Benefits As a PGA member, you are entitled to receive some incredible discounts from sponsors of the PGA of America including: • Mercedes–Benz USA (Official Patron) – Receive up to a $4,000 discount on a purchase or lease on a new automobile.

Kyle Heyen, PGA National Director, District 9 Head Golf Professional Hiwan Golf Club

• OMEGA (Official Patron) – Receive up to a 20% discount on time pieces.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter 8

What’s your plan?

Eddie Ainsworth, PGA

B

y now I’m certain that all of you have developed and are ready to execute your business plan for 2015, but the question I would like to ask you is what’s your plan for personal growth? How do you get better at what you do? How do you improve your relationships? How do you gain more depth and wisdom as a person? How do you gain insight? How do you overcome obstacles? Work harder? Work Longer? Wait for things to get better?

So please allow me to ask you again, what is your plan for personal growth?

My personal mission in life is to make a As we near the end of another Member Service positive impact Requirement (MSR) cycle it causes me to reflect on in the lives of why we do the things we do. But my thoughts go others. It is way beyond MSRs. James Allen wrote in his book my calling and “As a Man Thinketh”, “People are anxious to improve what gives their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.” At times we me fulfilment.

If you are might complain about our circumstances, and want to anxious to improve your circumstances, and are in improve them, but what are we truly doing to improve need of developing a plan, we stand ready as your ourselves? So allow me to ask you, what is your plan Section Staff to assist you with the resources you need for personal growth? to help you grow, and have relationships with many Some of us may assume we grow automatically. We’re others who would love to provide assistance along the like Charlie Brown in Charles way. Give me a call and I’d be Schultz’s Peanuts comic strip, glad to sit down with you to People are anxious to improve who once said, “I think I’ve start you on this process. their circumstances but are unwilldiscovered the secret to life— you just hang around until you ing to improve themselves; they It’s about a whole lot more than MSR’s! As leaders we get used to it.” The problem therefore remain bound. must make a personal comis that we don’t improve by mitment to grow. If you want simply living. We have to be to reach your potential and intentional about it. Bruce become the person you were created to be, you must Springsteen commented, “A time comes when you need to stop waiting for the man (or woman) you want do much more than just experience life and hope that you learn what you need along the way. You must go to become and start being the man (or woman) you out and seize growth opportunities as if your future want to be”. depended on it. Why? Because it does. Growth Some of us may honestly not know how to grow. doesn’t just happen-not for me, not for you, not for Some will say I don’t have the time; it’s not the right anybody. You have to go after it! time to begin. John Maxwell shared a riddle from his Very Respectfully, youth; “One of my father’s favorite riddles to us went like this: Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decided to jump off. How many are left?” The first time he responded, he answered, “One”. “No”, his father responded. “Five. Why? Because there’s a difference between deciding and doing!” American politician Frank Clark said, “What great accomplishments we’d Eddie have in the world if everybody had done what they intended to do.” Most people don’t act as quickly as they should on things. They find themselves subject to the Law of Diminishing Intent, which says, “The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never actually do it”.

The Colorado PGA is excited to announce the creation of the Denver VA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Chapter. The partnership operates with the goal of introducing golf to veterans and wounded warriors as a means of rehabilitation, recreation, and reconnection.

“I’m glad that the Colorado PGA is reaching out to get more Veterans involved in the sport of golf,” said Daniel Warvi, Public Affairs Officer of the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System. “Disabled Veterans of all ages and abilities report better health, new friendships and a better quality of life when participating in adaptive sports. Disabled Veterans who are physically active simply have more fun!”

This is the second chapter of PGA HOPE hosted by the Colorado PGA. In 2013, the Colorado PGA partnered with the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) at Ft. Carson to host the founding chapter of PGA HOPE in Colorado. The WTB serves as a temporary assignment for soldiers who are recovering from major service-induced injuries. Through a partnership with the WTB at Ft. Carson, and with the support of the PGA Professionals at Cheyenne Shadows GC, the PGA HOPE program was able to provide an introductory golf experience, playing and social events for more than 100 wounded warriors and their families all at no cost to the soldier or their support system.

The Denver VA Chapter will work to provide an opportunity to the 81,343 unique Veterans using VA Eastern Colorado facilities. Clinics will include 5 1-hour lessons along with on-course play/access and a graduation event.

Crystal Black, a Recreation Therapost with the Denver VA was exposed to golf and the Colorado PGA at an event at Fizsimons Golf Course two years ago. “The Denver VA Recreation Therapy Department began working with Colorado PGA in 2013 for a one day adaptive golf experience to allow Veterans to gain exposure to golfing and use this sport as a tool to aid in their rehabilitation and recovery,” she recently noted.

“The program has since expanded to include additional training opportunities and allows Veterans to participate in golfing more regularly at courses throughout Colorado.”

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Colorado PGA Announces Second PGA HOPE Chapter

“We are extremely excited about our PGA Hope program expanding into Denver,” said Eddie Ainsworth, Colorado PGA Executive Director. “We have seen such positive results from this program assisting our soldiers and families at Fort Carson that we feel privileged to reach even more of our veterans. Golf can truly be a rehabilitation tool and our veterans can be assured were ready and willing to stand beside them as they go through the rehabilitation process. “

Colorado PGA Professionals to be featured on CBS Paul Surniak, PGA Director of Instruction at Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course and the lead instructor for the Ft. Carson PGA HOPE Chapter will be featured on the CBS special “PGA HOPE - Impacting Lives Through Golf” on Saturday, May 16, 2015. The program, directed and producing by the PGA of America, will air from 12:00p to 1:00p prior to the telecast of the Wells Fargo Championship.

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Five Elected to West Chapter Board of Directors T

he West Chapter of the Colorado PGA held their annual Spring Membership Meeting on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Bookcliff Country Club in Grand Junction, Colorado. The meeting was chock-full of chapter business and education seminars.

The meeting was opened with the ritual West Chapter Roll Call in which each member states their name and the club they are affiliated with. Five candidates were up for election to the West Chapter Board of Directors; Luke Brosterhous, PGA Director of Golf at Catamount Ranch and Club; Jaques Deyoe, PGA Assistant Professional at Aspen Glen Club; Brett Gagnon, PGA Assistant Professional at Red Sky Golf Club; John McIntyre, PGA Head Professional at Frost Creek Golf Club; and CJ Rhyne, PGA Director of Instruction at GJ Golf. Three positions were open based on the three-year cycle of the board as well as two positions based on former members of the Board relocating outside of the Section. Those in attendance confirmed each candidate to the board.

West Chapter President Mike Mendelson then took the stage to honor the West Chapter Award Winners. They were as follows:

maker Golf Club • Youth Player Development | Nathan Corsbie, PGA | Eagle Ranch Golf Club • Player Development Award | Zachary Massey, PGA | Tiara Rado Golf Course • Merchandiser of the Year Public | Troy Youngren, PGA | Cobble Creek Golf Course • Merchandiser of the Year Resort | Mike Swan, PGA | Crested Butte Golf Club

• Golf Professional of the Year | Alice Plain, PGA | Vail Golf Club

• Merchandiser of the Year Private | Tom Apple, PGA | Country Club of the Rockies

• Teacher of the Year | Al Pryor, PGA | Dos Rios Golf Club

• Assistant Golf Professional of the Year | David Thompson, PGA | Eagle Vail Golf Club

•

Bill Strausbaugh Award | Tom Taylor, PGA | Hay-

Hansen and Papadopolous Win Pro-Pro

Following the meeting was a Pro-Pro Scramble. Posting an impressive twelve-under-par 59 was the team of Ari Papadopolous, PGA Head Professional at the Norman Course at Red Sky Golf Club and Chad Hansen, PGA Head Professional at the Country Club of the Rockies. There was a log-jam of five teams that finished tied for second after posting eight-under-par 63.

Click here to access the complete results of the tournament.

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• President’s Award | Jim Cook, PGA | Aspen Glen Club Ed Marzec, PGA Assistant Professional at Country Club of the Rockies then gave an update on a few new and exciting additions and changes to the West Chapter Tournament Schedule. He noted the addition of the West Chapter Pro-Junior at River Valley Ranch Golf Club on June 19, 2015 and the West Chapter Pro-Pro at The Bridges Country Club on June 21, 2015. Ed also noted the addition of two new sponsors to the West Chapter Championship and the POD system being implemented in the Match Play Championship.

The Century of Golf was then highlighted by Colorado PGA Honorary President Barry Milstead. He started off by giving a brief history of the Colorado PGA and the Colorado Golf Association and ended by encouraging those in attendance to get involved in the Century of Golf Challenge and the Century of Golf Gala.

Leslie Core-Drevecky, President of the Colorado PGA and Eddie Ainsworth, Executive Director/CEO of the Colorado PGA then partnered to update the members on Colorado PGA REACH. They highlighted the three pillars that make up Colorado PGA REACH and touched on programs that are aligned under each

pillar. They concluded with an introduction of the ten members of the Colorado PGA REACH Board of Trustees.

Education seminars focusing on Food and Beverage concluded the meeting. Eric Feely, PGA General Manager at The Bridges Country Club and Ben Welsh, PGA Director of Golf at EagleVail Golf Club combined to lead a discussion on Food and Beverage operations.

They highlighted the successful programs at their own facilities and acknowledged the numerous obstacles in the industry. Multiple PGA Professionals used their vast experience to interject their thoughts in the lively discussion.

High Country Beverage and Field Marketing Manager Tom Nichols presented Beer 101 as the second half of the education seminar. Tom, a CERTIFIED CICERONE®, began his discussion of beer by talking about how it is made and the process it takes to get from the production facility to the golf course. He went on to discuss the differences in beer and concluded his presentation by showing how beer and beer promotions can be integrated into events to increase revenue.

The Colorado PGA would like to thank the host facility, Bookcliff Country Club, and their PGA Professional staff, Head Professional Brett Winder and Assistant Professional Tim Tafoya.

Colorado Golf and Turf Renews Partnership F

or more than two decades the Colorado PGA and Colorado Golf and Turf have been like two peas in a pod as they support Colorado PGA Professionals. That support will continue in 2015 as Colorado Golf and Turf recently agreed to renew their partnership.

“As the Club Car distributor, we obviously have a vested interest in seeing golf flourish in Colorado and Wyoming, and we feel that the Colorado PGA Section is the best organization to promote the game,” noted Colorado Golf and Turf owner Tom Bauerle. “We are so proud to support the Section in its efforts to promote the game. It has been a very enjoyable experience partnering the great people in the Colorado Section, and we believe it has been mutually beneficial, and we look forward to years of partnership to come.”

The renewed partnership will place Colorado Golf and Turf and Club Car as a Presidents Club Partner of the Colorado PGA. On a local level, Colorado Golf

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

• Warren Smith Award: Scott Erwin, PGA | Maroon Creek Golf and Country Club

and Turf will be a presenting sponsor of the West Chapter Spring Membership Meeting, West Chapter Championship, Pro Assistant Championship, and the Pro-GM-SuperClub Official. Nationally, Club Car continues to support Colorado PGA Professionals as a supporting partner of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship.

“We couldn’t be happier to be renewing our partnership with Colorado Golf and Turf and Club Car,” noted Colorado PGA Executive Director Eddie Ainsworth.

“When I think of a true friend and partner of the Colorado PGA, Tom Bauerle, Jim Muir, and Colorado Golf and Turf are some of the first people that come to mind.”

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Greg Norman/DUNNING Commit Two-Year Partnership The Colorado PGA announced at the 2015 West Chapter Spring Membership Meeting a brand new, two-year partnership with Greg Norman Collection and Dunning Golf. The partnership will position the two companies, under the Tharanco Lifestyles brand, as a Gold Level Partner of the Colorado PGA.

Both lines are represented in Colorado by longtime support of the Colorado PGA and our member Professionals Mike Giarratano. “Greg Norman wants to partner with the Colorado PGA Colorado PGA West Chapter because the Greg Championship Norman Collection presented by Greg Norman | is predominantly a Dunning Golf and Colorado green grass brand Golf and Turf versus the off course or big box doors that Aspen Glen Club are available,” Mike September 21-22, 2015 noted during the $1,500 added to the purse partnership process.

“There is no better Each participant will recieve a endorser of our brand Greg Norman layering than the PGA ProfesAspen Glen Club and Colorado sional.”

PGA Staff to be outfitted in Greg Norman and Dunning Golf Greg Norman and outfits Dunning Golf will leverage their partnership at the West Chapter Championship scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, September 21-22, 2015 at Aspen Glen Club in Carbondale, Colorado. Each participant in the field will receive a layering piece from the Greg Norman Collection. Additionally, the two companies will support the overall purse of the event to the tune of $1,500. Finally, the host facility staff and the Colorado PGA Section Staff will be outfitted in Greg Norman Collection and Dunning Golf attire for the two days of the championship.

Details

“It’s so great to be able to partner with a new company in Greg Norman – Dunning through a longtime Colorado PGA friend in Mike Giarratano,” noted Eddie Ainsworth, Colorado PGA Executive Director. “This partnership will elevate our West Chapter Championship to be a truly premier event the next two years.”

The partnership was launched with an announcement during the meeting and closest-to-the-hole prizes on four par 3’s during the Pro-Pro Scramble. PGA Professionals who won prizes were: Jeff Hanson, PGA – Director of Golf at Red Sky Golf Club (and his partner Andrew Buccholz) Ben Welsh, PGA – Director of Golf at EagleVail Golf Club (and his partner Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA) Pat Foppe, PGA – Assistant Professional at The Bridges Country Club (and his partner Charlie Cobb, PGA) Steve Van Dyke, PGA – Director of Golf at the Aspen Glen Club (and his partner Ed Marzec, PGA) “We are very excited for the opportunity to partner with the Colorado PGA as well as partnering with 20 other PGA sections across the country,” Giarratano noted after the deal was agreed to. “Greg Norman Collection is making a big commitment to the PGA professional in Colorado in hope of growing our partnerships and the brand.”

Woodbridge Realty Added as Partner Woodbridge Realty, a prominent real estate company in the Roaring Fork Valley has agreed to come on board as a presenting sponsor of the Colorado PGA West Chapter Championship. While details are still being worked out, Woodbridge will tentatively partner as a Silver Level Partner by contributing $2,500 to the overall purse for the event.

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May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

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www.coloradopga.com

Imperial Unveils New Speed Matters Partnership T

he Colorado PGA is happy to announce the continuation of our partnership with Imperial Headwear.

The relationship between the Colorado PGA and Imperial Headwear (Imperial) dates back more than two decades to when the company was headquartered in Denver.

“I’m thrilled that we are partnering once again with Imperial,” said Eddie Ainsworth, Colorado PGA Executive Director. “Jaime Zabolio, John Bond, and the entire Imperial team have been great partners of the Section for years. I’m really looking forward to working with them through the Speed Matters promotion to directly benefit our PGA Professionals in the Colorado Section.”

Speed Matters is a three-month long event where any Imperial event order submitted via Jamie Zabolio for shipment in June, July or August will get a facilities name included in a monthly drawing. Each month two separate winners will be announced in the Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter with a $500 credit being awarded to each facility selected. If CoolCore is included on an order, the facility name will be entered into the monthly drawing twice.

John Bond, Vice President of Sales and an honorary member of the Colorado PGA, played a critical role in

not only continuing the partnership but developing this new Speed Matters promotion. “It is important to partner with the Colorado PGA Section to support the heart and soul of our customer base,” Bond noted.

“Imperial at one level or another has been a partner with the Colorado PGA Section for over 25 years.

Having been located here for so long, we take pride in supporting our "local" customers and friends.”

A critical component of Speed Matters is the new line of CoolCore products recently released by Imperial.

Highlighted at the 2015 Spring Meeting, “CoolCore Technology represents an extension of "TECH" trends into the headwear segment,” John explained recently.

“It is a chemical free, fabric yarn feature that moves moisture freely, promotes faster evaporation and ultimately cools the environment around your head.”

In addition to Speed Matters, Imperial is going to be the title sponsor of the CoolCore Pradera Pro Am schedule for Monday, July 6, 2015. Each participant in the event will receive an Imperial cap with CoolCore technology and $1,500 will be added to the purse.

Furthermore, Imperial will make a product donation to Colorado PGA REACH for programs such as the “IVY” Pro Am at Ft. Carson.

Masek Golf Cars of Colorado and Colorado PGA Extend Partnership Like the saying goes, “wine gets better with age,” so does the partnership between the Colorado PGA and Masek Golf Cars of Colorado. The partnership, which will mark its twentieth year in 2015, will include the increase in support from three to four events in 2015.

Eddie Ainsworth, Executive Director of the Colorado PGA noted that “we are thrilled to announce that we will be partnering with Masek Golf Cars of Colorado for a twentieth year. From our original partnership with Joe and now to his son Jason and John Halbert, Masek has continued to be a great partner of the Colorado PGA and our member professionals.”

In all, Masek will partner with the Colorado PGA for the following events: the Pro-Pro-Pro Championship on June 15, 2015 at The Club at Ravenna; the West Chapter Pro-Pro on June 22, 2015 at The Bridges; the Stroke Play Championship on July 13, 2015 at Riverdale Golf

Club; and the Colorado PGA Fall Membership Meeting on October 5, 2015.

“Masek is genuinely interested in growing and fostering the game of golf in Colorado,” noted General Manager John Halbert. “Our partnership with the Section gives us a fantastic avenue to promote our products, grow our business and grow the game in Colorado.”

Much thanks to Jason Masek, President and John Halbert, General Manager on their continued support of the Colorado PGA.

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

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www.coloradopga.com

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter 16

May Member Update New Apprentices Gerard C Lanser | B-8 | The Links at Cobble Creek Luke O. Skattum | B-8 | Buffalo Run Golf Course

New Members Justin M. Blomberg, PGA | A-8 | Red Sky Golf Club Dillon B. May, PGA | A-8 | Cherry Creek Country Club Tyler D. Neary, PGA | | Ft. Collins Country Club

Quarter Century Members Don Bernal, PGA | LM | PGA Life Member Todd Coover, PGA | A-13 | The Golf Club at Devils Tower Donald Graham, PGA | A-8 | Raccoon Creek Golf Course David Lewis, PGA | A-4 | Walking Stick Golf Club

Michael McGetrick, PGA | LM | PGA Life Member Transfers into the Section Michael Bratcher, PGA | A-13 | Columbine Country Club | transfer from the Southwest Section Steven Elbe, PGA | LM | | transfer from the Pacific Northwest Section Scott Hart, PGA | LM | | transfer from the Southwest Section Kury E. Reynolds, PGA | A-1 | Hay Creek Golf Club | transfer from the Utah Section Members Transferring into the Colorado PGA Joshua L. Coccagna, PGA | A-1 | The Glacier Club | previously in the Pacific Northwest PGA Brian W. Dahmer, PGA | A-8 | Boomerang Golf Club | previously in the Southern California PGA John M. Dunlop, PGA | A-4 | Rollingstone Ranch Golf Club | previously in the Nothern California PGA Remington D. Post, PGA | A-8 | Snowmass Club | previously in the North Florida PGA Edward Provow, PGA | LMA | previously in the Illinois PGA John W. Trierweiler, PGA | A-8 | Columbine Country Club | previously in the Indiana PGA Tyler C. Van Kooten, PGA | A-8 | Roaring Fork Club | previously in the Pacific Northwest PGA Charles M. Winn, PGA | A-1 | Sonnenalp Golf Club | previously in the Philadelphia PGA

Happy Birthday!

May 1

Kyle M McGee Daniel F Morgan Keith E. Soriano, PGA

May 2

Tyler S. Enna, PGA David J. Nelson, PGA Gary Woodside, PGA

May 3

Jeff E. Freebury, PGA Steve Wallace, PGA

May 4

Billy D. Ellison, PGA Dillon B. May, PGA Kirk R. Mease, PGA Michael Petrisko, PGA Gregory Russ, PGA

May 5

Brian M. Bonos, PGA Craig A. Porter, PGA Doug Rikkers, PGA Kenny Toms, PGA

May 6

Steven C. David, PGA Jesse G. Hansen, PGA Brian Lindstrom, PGA Keith C. Martin, PGA Bob Mueller, PGA Nate Vincent, PGA

May 7

Jason C. Murphy, PGA

May 8

Rudy Castaneda, PGA Thomas Cross, PGA Erroll Miller, PGA Tom Noonan, PGA Scott Sommers, PGA

May 15

May 9

Kyle Heyen, PGA John Karamigios, PGA

May 10

Bill Bisdorf, PGA Edward Oldham, PGA Charles D Soule John Vickers, PGA

May 16 Tom Apple, PGA

Derek W Eley

David Rawlings, PGA

May 11

Daniel L. Augustine Mark T. Kelbel, PGA Kenneth Krieger, PGA Ed L. Marzec II, PGA

May 12 Ed Bodigheimer, PGA

Michael Knights, PGA

Paul J. Surniak, PGA May 13 Brian DallaBetta, PGA

Timothy Tafoya, PGA May 14 Tom Brinkman, PGA

Luke Brosterhous, PGA

Kirk Padgett, PGA

Anne Kelly, PGA Ed Nosewicz, PGA Steve Patterson, PGA Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Chris Woods

May 17 Nicholas Fiorini, PGA

George Miller Jr., PGA May 18 Eric Knotts, PGA

James Newton, PGA May 19

Arne C. Hansen, PGA Jim K. See II, PGA John T. Wilcox, PGA Bill Winfield, PGA

May 20 Ken Anderson, PGA

Andrew Gerlach, PGA

Winston Howe Jr., PGA May 21 Zach S. Gardner, PGA

Ryan Mahlstadt, PGA

Reese W. McCall, PGA

May 22 Don Campbell, PGA

Beau S. Smith, PGA

Michael Zaremba, PGA May 23 Jeffrey C. Carter, PGA

Chad Hansen, PGA May 24 David A. Dent, PGA May 25

Michael Loosley, PGA Mark A. Sturtz, PGA Visanu Tongwarin, PGA Jeff Wagner, PGA

May 28

Matt Bryant, PGA Mickey Byrne, PGA Don Corey, PGA Kevin Vena, PGA

May 29

Dennis Murray, PGA Richard G Parker, PGA Nathan Pippett, PGA David Thompson, PGA

May 30 Corey L. Butler, PGA

Scott A. Cline, PGA

Max R Twarjan May 31

Jonathan L. Dron, PGA Gary G. Hallberg, PGA Scott B. Rethlake, PGA Alexander J Weldon

The Bulletin Board is a quick and easy, one-stop-shop for informal material.

Send us Thank You Notes, items for sale, birth announcements, or anything else you think is worth sharing.

Save the Date!

2016 G4 Summit

On the heals of a successful 2015 G4 Summit, the official date of the 2016 Summit is set for February 16, 2014.

Confirmed speakers include Dotty Pepper, LPGA Major Championship Winner & ESPN Golf Analyst, Rhett Evans of the GCSAA and Rand Jerris of the USGA. Look for more information but be sure to mark it on your calendars today!

Page & Tuttle/Brooks Brothers Looking for Local Sales Rep Page and Tuttle/Brooks Brothers is looking for a local sales rep to cover Colorado. For more information ont the position, please contact Scott Smith, National Sales Manager at ssmith@riversendtrading.com or 904-616-6036.

www.coloradopga.com

Golf Professionals Needed for “IVY�

Pro Am Click here for more information and to register

PGA Professional Mark Bacheldor and wife welcome baby boy

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

The Bulletin Board

Mark Bacheldor, PGA Professional and Intership Director at the University of Colorado Colorado Spring and his wife Morgan welcomed a baby boy into the world on April 27, 2015.

Dawson Jacob Bacheldor and his mom are both doing well.

17

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

18

T

Participating clubs will each host two Get Golf Ready series of lessons throughout May and June and will utilize the 5 lesson series, combined with follow-on league and play opportunities to deepen engagement in the game of golf with these students. Participating clubs and the PGA Professionals leading the charge are:

he announcement that the PGA of America was partnering with KPMG to continue the rich tradition of the LPGA Championship under a new banner introduced an opportunity to leverage golf to inspire and develop a new generation of female leaders.

Highlands Ranch Golf Club – Jaime Sniffin, PGA The Heritage at Westmoor – Erin Diegel, PGA Legacy Ridge Golf Course – Erin Diegel, PGA

Locally, this partnership enabled the Player Development Department to coordinate a series of Colorado PGA/KPMG Network of Women (KNOW) Get Golf Ready programs at local clubs to help introduce the game of golf to future business leaders. The programs are exclusive to KPMG employees and positions golf as both a career and network enhancer.

CommonGround Golf Course – Gary Davis, PGA The Colorado PGA is excited to introduce golf to a community of female business leaders and to partner with our PGA Professionals to leverage a national partnership. If you are interested in connecting with a business community in your area, contact Keith Soriano, PGA to schedule a consultation.

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Colorado PGA Members Capitalize on KPMG Women’s PGA Championship

Scotland Trip

Pebble Beach Trip

(Valued at $15,000)

(Valued at $10,000)

Round Trip airfare for 2 with 4 days / 3 nights accomodations $1,000 spending cash, 3 Rounds of golf per person (1 round each at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and The Links at Spanish Bay)

Round Trip airfare for 2 with 8 days / 7 nights accomodations $1,500 spending cash, 4 Rounds of golf per person (ie. St Andrews Old Course & Jubilee, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns)

Masters Trip (Valued at $20,000)

Round Trip airfare for 2 with 8 days / 7 nights accomodations $1,500 spending cash, 2 Tickets to The Masters Tournament (includes Par 3 Contest & four rounds of Tournament Proper)

Important features for you to know about our Hole-in-One insurance program

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19

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Junior Golf Get in Session with Golf in Schools!

T

he deadline is quickly approaching for fall semester Golf in Schools programs. We will be accepting applications through May 15, 2015. Forms submitted after this date may not be considered, so get yours in as soon as possible.

The Golf in Schools programs has seen staggering growth over the last six years, and it is a testament to the dedication of our PGA Professionals in the Colorado PGA as well as the tremendous commitment among physical educators in Colorado schools. Both recognize the true value of introducing the great game of golf to youth across the state.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to introduce golf to kids in your local community! It’s the perfect first step into showing kids what your golf club has to offer for juniors. Contact Katie Ann Robinson for an application at krobinson@pgahq.com.

Click here to access the program request form.

Colorado PGA Junior Golf introduces “Junior Links” Newsletter I

n efforts to promote the Colorado PGA Junior Golf Programs and engage our junior golfers, their parents, local clubs and PGA Professionals we are launching a new monthly newsletter! Each issue will highlight the biggest news around the Colorado PGA junior ranks including tournament winners, upcoming events, and even some special tips straight from our PGA Professionals. To sign up for this monthly newsletter, please email Katie Ann Robinson at krobinson@pgahq.com.

20

2015 Junior Tour Schedule • • • • • • • • • • • •

June 3 - Kings Deer Golf Course June 8 - Vail Golf Club June 18 - Wellshire Golf Course June 24 – Thorncreek Golf Course July 2 - Murphy Creek Golf Course July 9-10 - Colorado PGA Junior Championship

Indian Tree Golf Course July 16 - Fort Collins Country Club July 22 - Raccoon Creek Golf Course July 30 - Greg Mastriona Courses at Hyland Hills August 5 - Westwoods Golf Course August 15 - TBD

Click here to access the entire 2015 Schedule

2015 Drive, Chip & Putt Schedule Local Qualifiers June 9- Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Vail, CO

June 25- Fort Collins Country Club

Fort Collins, CO

July 6t Hiwan Golf Club

Evergreen, CO

July 14- Country Club of Colorado

Colorado Springs, CO

July 27- Country Club of Castle Pines

Castle Rock, CO

Sub-Regional August 30 - CommonGround Golf Course

Aurora, CO

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

TOURNAMENT GIFTS FOR GOLF

Order Your Member-Guest

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www.coloradopga.com

21

The PGA & PGA Championship, logos and marks are a trademark of The Professional Golfers' Association of America.

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter 22

Supporting an Intern

- Mark Bacheldor, PGA - Internship Director, UCCS PGA-PGM

T

he PGA Golf Management Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs exists to train the next generation of Golf Professionals. One of the key elements of this program is 16 months of required internship for each student. The students in the program are required to complete these 16 months of internship over 3 separate experiences. While there are a variety of internship opportunities that range from tournament operations to instruction to marketing for a golf course management company, traditionally, students complete their internship work experience at a golf course, under the supervision of a PGA Golf Professional.

So, what’s involved in supporting an intern? It comes down to just that; support. PGA Golf Management students are ready to turn their life into a career in the golf industry and they need someone to show them exactly what that entails. And so the program builds relationships with great PGA Golf Professionals at fantastic sites that see the long-term benefit of hosting and supporting an intern. The benefit being not only having staff on board that is committed to learning as much as they can about the industry, but also that the next generation of Professionals is mentored intentionally. There is great pride and satisfaction that comes with that responsibility.

The duties of an intern are as elaborate as needed or desired by a site, but can be filled according to the student’s knowledge, or experience in the PGA’s training program. Typically, the level 1 interns, who complete their internship over 3 months during the summer, are placed in roles of outside services as they are getting their feet wet in the golf industry. In order to support these interns, supervisors find ways to teach them a variety of new skills, from the tasks of the outside operation to exposing them to customer/member services, tournament operations, and all the intangibles that go along with and embody a PGA Professional. The second internship in the PGA Golf Management Program takes place after 2 years of academic classwork and lasts 6-7 months. This internship, intentionally designed to take place over an extended period, allows a site to support

an intern by offering more responsibility over a longer period of time. Students are able to experience more opportunity in the golf shop, possibly more golf instruction and a more in depth involvement in all golf course operations. The final internship, which takes place after a student has completed all of their academic coursework, is also intentionally designed to take place over 6-7 months and allows the student to be an integral part of an operation. Sites supporting a level 3 intern have often used this final internship experience as a sort of long-term job interview for a role upon graduation.

And often, students in UCCS’s PGA Golf Management program land their first job at the very site in which they complete their final internship.

PGA Professionals that choose to support an internship are afforded the opportunity to train a young man or woman who is interested in following in their steps, committing their future to a career in the game they love.

Students in the program must be paid and maintain full-time status during their time as an intern, as mandated by the PGA of America. The results can be far-reaching and impactful, not only for the students in the program, but the guests and the very culture at a site. A site that uses their position to mentor and support the students in the PGA Golf Management program can expect personal and professional benefits as they inspire the next generation of PGA Golf Professionals.

For more information, please contact PGA Member, Mark Bacheldor: mbacheld@uccs.edu or 719-255-4100.

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

23

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Tournaments Cliff Survives at Inverness Golf Club Pro Am S pring in Colorado can come in many forms. Warm, sunny days the remind one of late summer and cold, blustery, wet days that seem more like the middle of the winter. Monday, April 27 at Inverness Golf Club was certainly the latter of the two.

Graham Cliff, PGA Head Professional at Colorado Golf Club had the luck of the draw as he took advantage of better weather in the afternoon to fire an even-par 70 and win the Inverness Golf Club Pro Am presented by Infinium Spirits and the Colorado Chevy Dealers. Cliff outlast Scott Wells, PGA Assitant Professional at Cherry Creek Country Club, who fired a one-over-par 71 and a group of six PGA Professional who shot two-over-par 72.

In the Two Low Net Team Contest, Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Aurora Hills Golf Course led his team to a tie at 13-under-par 127. They finished in a tie with the team led by Apprentice Dane Reese of The Pinery Country Club.

The 50 for 50 Senior Contest included eight PGA Professionals with Dale Smigelsky, PGA Head Professional at Collindale Golf Club, Rick Cole, PGA Head Professional at Eaton Country Club, and Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Director of Golf at Ironbridge Golf Club all tying for first at three-over-par 73.

Thank you to Infinium Spirits and Mike Horan as well as the Colorado Chevy Dealers for the support of the Inverness Golf Club Pro Am. Thank you also to Dave Steinmetz, PGA Director of Golf and Assistant Jim Edfors for hosting the event.

Section Championship Registration Dates Announced Colorado PGA Professional Championship, presented by Club Car, Mercedes-Benz and OMEGA; supported by Titleist/ FootJoy, Nike Golf, TaylorMade-adidas Golf Ashworth, PGA TOUR Entries begin May 27, 2015 Entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., EDT, Tuesday, July 7, 2015 Colorado SENIOR PGA Professional Championship, supported by Mercedes-Benz Entries begin June 3, 2015 Entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., EDT, Tuesday, July 14, 2015 National Car Rental Section PGA Assistant Championship Entries begin June 10, 2015 Entry deadline is 5:00 p.m., EDT, Tuesday, July 21, 2015

24

F

our Colorado PGA Professionals tied for the win on Monday, April 13, 2015 at Valley Country Club. Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Assistant Professional at Murphy Creek Golf Course, Graham Cliff, PGA Head Professional at Colorado Golf Club, Travis Morton, PGA Head Professional at The Pinery, and Dane Reese, Assistant Professional at The Pinery, all fired three-under-par 69.

In the team event, a new Birdie Bash format was used for the first time. Fitzgerald was able to lead his team to victory as they made 23 net birdies during their round, Dennis Murray, PGA Director of Instruction at Valley Country Club was the low finisher in the 50 for 50 division after firing a one-under-par 71.

Another Season, Another Keffer Victory W

inning is becoming the norm for Geoff Keffer during the Colorado PGA OMEGA Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year race. Keffer began the wrap-around season in 2014 by posting victories at the Omni Interlocken Tri-Am and the Valley CC Pro-Am and started off 2015 with another victory at the first stroke play event of 2015. Keffer, an Assistant Professional at Aurora Hills Golf Course, posted a seven-under 65 to win by two strokes at Indian Peaks Golf Course in Lafayette, CO. Keffer posted seven birdies and an eagle in his first competitive round of the year.

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Logjam at the top of Valley CC Pro Am

“This was my first event of the year so it took a few

holes to find a rhythm,” Keffer noted after the event.

“All in all, I was very happy. I hit it well, got up and down when I needed, and I was able to take advantage of my length.”

In second place was Kyler Booher, Assistant Professional at River Valley Ranch Golf Club in Carbondale who posted a five-under-par 67. Booher posted five birdies and an eagle on his way to second place. Rounding out the top three was Dan Augustine, Assistant Professional at The Country Club at Castle Pines.

Continued on next page

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25

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Fitzgerald Records Second Straight Victory T here is a Chinese saying that “good things come in pairs.” That saying holds true for Caine Fitzgerald who posted his second consecutive victory of the year at the Todd Creek Golf Club Pro Am on Monday, April 20, 2015. Fitzgerald, a PGA Assistant Professional at Murphy Creek Golf Course, tallied seven birdies during his round to post a three-under-par 69.

“I see a lot of positives in making seven birdies and hopefully as the season progresses the birdies will con-

In the team event, a 3-2-1 Net Pro Am in which one PGA Professional partnered with three amateurs, Graham Cliff led his team to victory by posting a 14-under-par 122. The content counted three net scores on par-3s, two net scores on par-4s, and one net score on par-5s. Cliff, the PGA Head Professional at Colorado Golf Club, relied heavily on his amateurs.

“I birdied 13 which helped but they (his amateurs) played awesome golf through that stretch with a couple natural birdies which really helped out,” Graham noted after the event.

tinue to flow and I can clean up the bogeys,” Fitzgerald had to say after his round.

The 3-2-1 is a rarely used format for Colorado PGA Pro Ams but even seemed to enjoy the format. “We all really enjoyed the format, it nice to switch things up,” Cliff mentioned.

Coming in tied for second with rounds of two-under 70 was Eric Bradley and reigning Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year Geoff Keffer. Bradley, an Assistant Professional at Eagle Ranch Golf Course posted an impressive five birdies himself while Keffer, an Assistant Professional at Aurora Hills Golf Course, posted four.

Dale Smigelsky, the PGA Head Professional at Collindale Golf Course continued his domination of the “50 for 50” event. Smigelsky has entered two events on the year and has taken home the victory in both.

Another Season, Another Keffer Victory (cont.)

In the “50 for 50” event, Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Head Professional at Ironbridge Golf Course in Carbondale posted a three-under-par 69 to win the Senior Division.

Paul Lobato, PGA Head Professional at Meridian Golf Club finished in second place after firing a one-underpar 71.

26

The event also featured a Blind-Draw Pro-Pro contest.

Booher partnered with Blake Sharamitaro, PGA Assistant Professional at Lake Arbor Golf Course to post a ten-under-par 62 and tie for the victory. Tying them was Augustine and Rudy Castaneda, PGA Head Professional at Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada, Colorado.

K

yle Voska, was victorious at the second stroke play event of the year at Raccoon Creek Golf Course on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Voska, a PGA Assistant Professional at The Links Golf Course in Highlands Ranch fired an impressive five-under-par 67 to best Eric Bradley by one stroke. Bradley, a PGA Assistant Professional, fired a fourunder-par 68. Coming in third place was Shawn Wilcox, PGA Instructor at the Tru - Swing Golf Academy came in third place at two-under-par 70.

The event also featured a two-man Modified Stableford event. The team of Bradley and Mike Northern, PGA Life Member collected 54 points to take home first place.

Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Assistant Professional at Murphy Creek Golf Course and Andy Clavin, PGA Assistant Professional at Meridian Golf Club came in second after posting 53 points.

Shawn Wilcox finished first in the 50 for 50 division with his two-under-par finish. Don Allen, PGA General Manager at Raccoon Creek and Bill Loeffler, PGA Owner at The Links Golf Course in Highlands Ranch finished in second after firing one-over-par 73.

Playing Ability Test Schedule West Chapter Events Added

E

ach year the Colorado PGA hosts Playing Ability Tests across the Colorado Section. Event are typcially scheduled three weeks apart and over a wide geographic area to give as many apprentices a chance to pass in their own back yard. Below is the current list of 2015 schedule Playing Ability Tests. For more information or to register for any of these event, please click here.

•

Tuesday, May 5 | PAT # 1 | CommonGround GC

•

Wednesday, May 27 | PAT # 2 | Springs Ranch GC

•

Wednesday, June 15 | W.C. PAT # 2 | Ironbridge Golf Club

•

Thursday, June 18 | PAT # 3 | Indian Tree GC

•

Tuesday, July 7 | PAT # 4 | Fitzsimmons GC

•

Wednesday, July 29 | PAT # 5 | Riverdale GC – Knolls

•

Wednesday, August 19 | PAT # 6 |TBD (Denver Metro Area)

•

Wednesday, September 9th | W.C. PAT # 3 | River Valley Ranch

•

Tuesday, September 8 | PAT # 7 | Valley Hi GC

•

Wednesday, September 30 | PAT # 8 | Cheyenne Shadows @ Ft. Carson

•

Wednesday, October 21 | W.C. PAT # 4 | Tiara Rado Golf Course

•

Wednesday, October 21 | PAT # 9 | Collindale GC

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May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Voska Outlasts Field at Raccoon Creek

27

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

What’s in my Bag?

Geoff Keffer, PGA | Aurora Hills Golf Course

I play Titleist Pro V1X # 59 with my middle name on them because that is what my dad always called me.

I play the Futura X dual balanced putter. I use this putter because it’s more comfortable and I rarely 3 putt with it.

I have Star Wars headcovers because Darth Vader was always my favorite and you can’t have opposing forces so I went with the Storm trooper as well.

The strongest club in my bag has always been my driver. It sets up everything else. I have learned to hit a variety of different shots and distances with my driver which has helped me become the player I am. I play the Titleist 915 D2 with 8.5 degrees of loft and a Diamana Blue Board X-flex shaft. I put it in play because I like the way it looks and feels.

28

Titleist 915 D2 Driver Titleist 915 3-wood Titleist 712U 2-iron Titleist 712U 4-iron Titleist AP2 714 6-iron Titleist AP2 714 7-iron Titleist AP2 714 8-iron Titleist AP2 714 9-iron Titleist AP2 714 PW Titleist AP2 714 GW Titleist SM5 55 wedge Titleist SM5 59 wedge Titleist SM5 64 wedge

330 290 275 250 220 208 192 178 166 153 130 112 100

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May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

By the Numbers

29

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

WE’RE TEEING YOU UP FOR SOMETHING BIG. National Car Rental Columbine Country Club Pro Am | May 4, 2015 National Car Rental Pro Lady | June 8, 2015

2015

T H E N AT I O N A L C A R R E N TA L PGA PRO -AM SERIES IS BACK .

Keegan Bradley and National Car Rental have teamed up for the second year of the National Car Rental PGA Pro-Am Series. Play like the pros in exclusive tournament events at PGA courses across the country. Learn more and enter today at nationalcargolf.com.

nationalcar.com

30

©2015 National Car Rental. All other marks are property of their respective owners.

The PGA name, logos, and marks are a trademark of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. F04196 02.15 JH

But if we got em let's Unnerstan' em!

- Rich Langston and Mike Rice, Colorado PGA Rules Officials

D

rop Zone, Drop Area, or Drop Circle; call them whatever; they’re all the same thing; a designated place to drop balls, established by the committee, when it may not be practical to proceed as a rule may require.

(In layman’s terms – it’s an attempt to be fair. Just don’t let the Golf Gods know you want fairness.)

Most courses use Drop Zones (DZ) and most players misuse them. Observations have shown as high as 96% misuse by casual players and 64% of tournament players. This may be attributed to the fact that DZ usage is only addressed in the appendix rather than the main body of the rule book. (p 135/2012-15 edition).

What We Need to Know !

The Committee: 1.

There must be a justifiable reason for establishing a DZ.

2. It should be considered as an “Additional Option” under the relief provisions of a rule.

3. Its use can be restricted and needs to be specific, i.e.: “in use for casual play but not tournament play”, “only at certain times of the year”, “mandatory rather than optional”.

4. When used in conjunction with TIO relief very specific language must be employed to avoid its misuse.

5. More than one DZ may be established for a single condition, i.e.; “using the nearest DZ to where a ball entered a condition allowing relief.”

6. If defining a DZ with paint, a 3’ diameter circle works well. Try to avoid locations which will trigger re-drops.

Remember, the line itself is within the DZ. The Player: 1. Should become familiar with the conditions governing play, be it casual or tournament. (Read the Notice!)

2.

When utilizing a DZ the follow-

ing provisions apply: a.

The ball must hit the ground within the DZ when dropped. b.

One does not need to stand within the DZ when dropping or playing the ball. c.

The ball, when dropped, does not have to remain within the DZ. It is a drop zone not a “play from zone”. d.

The ball may come to rest nearer the hole than where it hit the ground; up to two club lengths. e.

The ball may come to rest nearer the hole than: i.

Its original position before the drop (R20-2b) ii.

The nearest point of relief or maximum available relief. (R24-2,25-1,25-3) iii.

The point where it last entered a water hazard.

(R26-1) f.

The rules on Dropping & Re-dropping, with the exceptions of “d” and “e” above are in effect. (R20-2;p 81-82) In summary, committee, you are charged with the careful placement and designation of the DZ; Players, you have the responsibility of knowing the conditions and rules governing their use. Combining both will facilitate the play of the game. Isn’t that the objective we all seek to achieve in this game we all love to hate and hate to love.

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May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

We Don't Need No Stinkin Rules;

31

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

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Servicing the golf industry internationally, Premier Payments is a proud Colorado Section PGA Partner and one of the country’s leading merchant service providers. Responsible for powering billions of dollars of secure transactions annually, Premier Payments delivers the latest technology with world-class customer support.

As a Premier Payments Merchant, you are assigned a single point of contact, have 24/7 live customer and tech support, and dedicated PCI & chargeback liaisons. Committed to tailoring seamless solutions that best meet your organization’s needs, Premier Payments delivers an enhanced payment processing experience.

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32 Email Dnathanson@PremierPayments.com

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May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

33

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Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter

Presidents Club | $20,000 and above

Colorado Chevy Dealers

Colorado Golf and Turf Tom Bauerle

PGA Tour

Platinum | $10,000 2UNDR Mary Mahoney

OMEGA

Platinum | $7,500 E-Z Go John Trenck, PGA

Colorado AvidGolfer Allen Walters

Gold | $5,000

Denver Golf Expo Mark Cramer

KBS Shafts

34

National Car Rental

Fairway Promotions James Schlatter, Nick Porter

Infinium Spirits Mike Horan

Imperial Headwear Jamie Zabolio

Greg Norman - Dunning Mike Giarratano

Masek Golf Cars Jason Masek

Adidas/Ashworth Mike Bryant

GolfTEC Joe Assell, PGA

PTE Golf Matt Pollitt

AHEAD Zach Ledvina

Golf MD’s Alex Weber

Sun Mountain Kevin Neff

Bronze | $1,000

www.coloradopga.com

Club Prophet Systems Tom Robshaw

GPS Industries Kevin Carpenter

TaylorMade Golf Mike Mendoza

May Newsletter | PGA Partner Issue

Silver | $2,500

35

Colorado PGA Pro Peaks Newsletter 36

2015 Colorado PGA Member Directory | www.coloradopga.com