THE
COLORADO PGA
SPRING 2022
Summit Q U A R T E R L Y
Meet our New CEO/Executive Director PGA Professional Spotlight Introducing our PGA WORKS Fellow Local Juniors Compete at August National
M A G A Z I N E
What's Inside
2022 Colorado PGA Staff
Justin Limon, PGA
Steven Bartkowski CEO/Executive Director 303-996-1593
Holly Champion, PGA
Operations & Membership Director 303-996-1588
Education & Membership Director 303-996-1591
Scott Minta
Annie O'Donnell
Tournament Director 303-996-1590
Finance Specialist 303-996-1595
Erinn Lopez
Business Development & Special Events Director 303-996-1594
Colorado PGA
Elizabeth Whan
Communications & Digital Content Coordinator 303-996-1589
6630 Bear Dance Drive Larkspur, CO 80118 P | (303) 681-0742 www.coloradopga.com COPGAjrgolf@pgahq.com
Samantha Crawford Junior Golf Director 303-996-1588
Feature Articles 5 6 23 35
President's Message Let it Begin! Meet Our New CEO/Executive Director Q&A with Steven Bartkowski PGA Regional Director's Message Who is the Right Mentor for me? PGA Player Engagement's Message Celebration Beats Marketing
The SUMMIT is the Official Magazine of the Colorado PGA - produced by the Colorado PGA
PGA REACH Colorado 11 14
PGA REACH Colorado Selects 9th Mortgage-Free Home Recipient USAF SMSgt Kevin Wallace Colorado PGA Welcomes PGA WORKS Fellow Meet Davyon Collins
Junior Golf 17 18 20
Spring Tournament Season Recap 2022 Junior Golf Interns Meet Brayden and Brooke Local Juniors Compete at National Finals Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta National
Colorado PGA Members 24 28 44 46
PGA Professional Spotlight Leighton Smith, PGA Stefanie Ferguson, PGA Membership News Quarter Century Club 2021 West Chapter Award Winners 2021 Special Award Features
Tournament News 37 40 43
2021 Players of the Year 2022 Tournament Season Recap 2022 Championship Preview
The SUMMIT is distributed free to members and affiliates of the Colorado PGA four 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 the written permission of the Colorado PGA is prohibited.
President's Message
Let It Begin! What's New in 2022
It may be difficult to believe but it has been over half a year since the last publication of this magazine but then again, not much has changed. In many respects, the Colorado PGA Section functions much like a green grass golf facility. We offer various programs and playing opportunities for our members/customers and work to ensure they enjoy their experience. We have budgets and financial responsibilities with a staff that admirably performs the duties for the benefit of others. We are responsible to a higher authority, in the COPGA’s case – the Board of Directors and ultimately the membership. We address issues with members and members’ issues. We are involved in philanthropic work, giving back to our communities in a variety of ways. So what is new in 2022? In order of occurrence: The COPGA is officially separated from the CGA The JGAC, as requested by the CGA, has been disbanded The COPGA has a new Executive Director and CEO – Steve Bartkowski The COPGA staff has a new direction, purpose, and is better prepared to serve our membership The COPGA membership and facilities raised over $32k for Marshall Fire Relief The COPGA is heavy into the junior golf tournament business – selling events out in minutes In less than 2 months, the ED/CEO has worked successfully to: Increase purses for the majority of tournaments Established relationships with past sponsors, partners, and friends Created new relationships which benefit the member and COPGA Reach (68% $ increase and growing) Position the COPGA and COPGA Reach in appropriate legal positions (ongoing) If you are like me, what the COPGA Section and our staff work toward, sounds very familiar. Whether your season is just starting or you are heavy into it already – 2022 is shaping up to be nothing less than extraordinary. The same may be said about the Colorado PGA, our new ED, and our staff. LET IT BEGIN! Be safe, be well, be kind - in the spirit of the game,
Jim Hajek, PGA President Colorado PGA Head Professional Fossil Trace Golf Club jhajek@cityofgolden.net P (303) 277-8752 C (303) 746-7416
5 SPRING 2022
The SUMMIT
CEO Feature
Colorado PGA Announces Next CEO/Executive Director: Steven Bartkowski Welcome to the Colorado Section!
The Colorado Section of the PGA of America welcomes their sixth CEO/Executive Director: Steven Bartkowski. A proven industry leader with over 14 years of experience in golf administration and not-for-profit businesses, Bartkowski joins the Colorado Section after five successful years at the helm of the Western New York Section. Bartkowski remarks, "It is an honor and a privilege to join the Colorado PGA team and lead such a remarkable PGA of America Section. Like many, I share a passion for the game of golf that has given so much back to me in both my personal and professional life. The opportunity to serve the PGA Professionals and work with the many partners of the Section to give back and continue to enhance our sport is humbling, to say the least." Bartkowski got his start in the industry from the prestigious USGA Boatwright Internship program working with the Buffalo District Golf Association. A Bachelor of Science in Sport Management graduate of SUNY Cortland in New York, Bartkowski served as the Tournament Director of the Western New York Section. During his three years in the role, he initiated and taught the first PGA H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) program in the section and created a new event, the Children’s Hospital Pro-Am, which had the largest individual professional purse for a Pro-Am to date. Subsequently, Bartkowski represented the New Jersey Section as the Director of Tournaments and Championships, managing a $800,000 budget and maintaining a strong relationship with the NJ State Golf Association through the coconducted NJ Senior Open. In 2017, Bartkowski relocated back to his home in Western New York to continue his tenure with the section. As the current Executive Director of the Western New York Section and PGA REACH WNY Foundation, Bartkowski increased section event participation by 13% and increased the total purse amount by 24%. Among many other standout accomplishments, Bartkowski created the PGA Member Growth of the Game Grant Program in collaboration with Allied Golf Associations in 2019 that distributes close to $13,000 annually to PGA Pros serving youth, military and diverse populations. "Over the last 12 years of my career I have been entrusted with serving PGA Professionals in different capacities in both the New Jersey and Western New York Sections of the PGA of America, respectively,” Bartkowski illustrates. “I cherish the times I had in these regions building lifelong relationships. I look forward to bringing the same passion and experience that I have learned throughout my career to continue to build on the successes of the Colorado PGA well into the future." Bartkowski is committed to serving the PGA Member, developing sponsor relations, and community outreach to help execute our mission and vision of serving the member and growing the game while making a difference in the lives of others through the game of golf.
6 SPRING 2022
"It is an honor and a privilege to join the Colorado PGA team and lead such a remarkable PGA of America Section." The SUMMIT
CEO Feature
Q&A with Steven Bartkowski Learn about our CEO/Executive Director Tell us about your background and work history. I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY where my mom, Nancy, father, Jim, and sister, Amanda still live today. I grew up around sports; playing soccer, baseball, basketball, and golf through high school until choosing to play soccer in college. As a four-year collegiate athlete, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from State University of Cortland with a BA in Sport Management. In the summers during high school and college, I served as a USGA Boatwright Intern for the Buffalo District Golf Association which is where I fell in love with golf administration. After graduating college, I was hired in the Western New York PGA Section as the Junior Golf and Tournament Director where I served for three years. After these three years in WNY, I was given the opportunity to serve as the Championship Director for the following three years in the New Jersey PGA Section helping to enhance and grow their tournament program. Those six years of experience and mentorship under some wonderful Executive Directors led me to be hired as the Executive Director of the Western New York PGA Section where I spent my last five years creating their 501c3 PGA REACH WNY and growing revenue and programming significantly for WNYPGA Members.
What do you enjoy about living in Colorado? About being CEO/ED? I’ve really enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle in Colorado thus far. Each weekend I have tried to find a new hike to explore. This state has so much to offer when it comes to work/life balance. It’s an absolute honor to sit in the chair as the CEO/Executive Director of the Colorado PGA Section. This Section, Foundation, and golf community are some of the strongest in the country but yet there is still so much opportunity to improve. What are you looking forward to this golf season? Golf is an industry that is centered around relationships. Over the last 14 years of my career, I have made some lifelong friends in this industry. If I had to sum up what I am looking forward to this year is getting to know our PGA Members, Section Staff and Partners. I am excited to learn what makes this Section tick and how we can continue to improve in future years for our PGA Members and golfing community in Colorado.
What have you been focusing on in your first two months with the Colorado Section? I am a firm believer in short-term goals leading to longterm success. In 2022, we are focusing on many shortterm goals behind the scenes to prepare us for the next 5-10 years for the Colorado PGA. Some of these items include re-structuring our organizational chart, creating a new team-first culture, finding gaps in our operation and creating new efficiencies, hiring a PGA Works Fellow and interns, enhancing our governance documents, building relationships with our PGA Members and Trustees, and building new partnerships that support our missions of growing the game and serving the member.
Continued on Page 8
7 SPRING 2022
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CEO Feature
Q&A with Steven Cont. What are your goals for 2022? And beyond? The goals for 2022 are quite simple: learning and evaluating all areas of the Colorado PGA Section and PGA REACH Colorado. At the end of FY 2022, I hope to be able to bring ideas to our Section and Foundation Board of Directors to create a long-range strategic plan to best support our PGA Members, junior golfers, and foundation benefactors in the future. At two months in, it is difficult to say exactly what the long term should look like. However, I have learned quickly that the opportunities are endless to enhance the employment scene for our PGA Members, increase our mission-driven partnerships, and grow our bandwidth to support junior golf and military programming. I have a vision that in the long term we will have Colorado PGA facilities that will focus on access, growth, education, mentorship, and employment.
Fun Facts about Steven Favorite NFL Team: Buffalo Bills Favorite Food: Chicken Wings (not called Buffalo Wings) Favorite Golf Course: Oak Hill Country Club
What's the latest in junior golf in the Section? Under our charitable arm, PGA REACH Colorado, we aspire to give access to as many juniors as possible state and section-wide. With the dissolution of JGAC this past winter, the Colorado PGA Section is in a transition year in the junior golf scene but still continuing to support thousands of juniors. This transition is due to limited resources and staffing per the dissolution of JGAC. However, through our PGA Members, we are still moving forward with over 50 junior golf tournaments, 10 Drive Chip and Putt Qualifiers, numerous PGA Junior League teams, and spring and fall Golf In Schools Programs. In 2023, the junior golf tour strives to be back to the numbers from previous years and we are excited to announce what that looks like later this year. Check out our Junior Golf Program at JuniorGolf.ColoradoPGA.com
Steven Bartkowski CEO/Executive Director Colorado PGA sbartkowski@pgahq.com P (303) 996-1593
8 SPRING 2022
The SUMMIT
PGA REACH Feature
PGA REACH Colorado Selects 9th Mortgage-Free Home Recipient Meet U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Kevin Wallace During the annual PGA REACH Colorado Invitational Golf Tournament, the foundation, along with its partners, Military Warriors Support Foundation and Southwest Greens' Mile High Golf Trail Program, is grateful to present a mortgagefree home to USAF SMSgt Kevin Wallace. Personal and financial mentorship will also be provided to Wallace for the next three years to assure he has the proper tools to be successful with this new investment.
Wallace, a Purple Heart recipient, retired from the USAF in 2018 after over 20 years of service. During those years, Wallace served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Africa, Armenia, Japan, Central and South America, and Colorado, to name a few, with jobs within the Precision Measurement Equipment Lab, Public Affairs, and Photojournalism (Combat Photographer). Wallace, a current North Carolina resident, was born in San Luis Obispo, CA but spent the majority of his childhood in Colorado, where he graduated high school.
11 Spring 2022
When, where & why did you join the military? I joined the military in May 1997 and originally joined for education benefits. However, prior to my first enlistment ending, 9/11 happened so I reenlisted as soon as I could for patriotic duties to take the fight abroad to US and Allied enemies. A brief history of your military career: I’m a combat veteran and active Ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warrior program. I am credited with saving the lives of my entire platoon: after being hit and wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. I returned to engage Taliban fighters in close proximity. I ran through direct enemy heavy machine gun fire three times to verify enemy flanking positions, eliminated enemy dismounts and saved the lives of my entire platoon. During a separate dismounted reconnaissance patrol and after my team came under enemy small arms fire, I engaged the enemy while returning fire, forcing the enemy to break contact. I then provided covering fire for my team’s JTAC, allowing him to coordinate close-air support and a safe egress. Finally, on a separate mission when a Taliban fighter’s rifle jammed at point-blank range behind a U.S. Sailor, I threw the Sailor over a wall and out of the line of fire and pursued the Taliban fighter alone on foot and eliminated the threat. These are 3 examples of my performance under fire, and I was recognized with a Bronze Star with Valor, a Purple Heart, three Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, an Air Force Commendation Medal, three Air Force Achievement Medals, an Air Force Combat Action Medal, a Marine Corps/Navy Combat Action Ribbon and an Army Combat Action Badge.
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PGA REACH Feature
USAF SMSgt Wallace, cont. Some non-combat contributions include: Counseled Royal Air Force Mildenhall’s CEO on media and community relations issues and events, while managing 24-hour emergency response and outreach programs, which extended positive messages to 1.1 million British residents. Managed the Presidential Media Escort program. Ushered 359 events, including U.S. President and Vice President departures and arrivals, Presidential Transition, President and First Lady farewell and welcomes, and arrivals or departures of: Prince Charles, Japanese Prime Minister Shijo Abe, the King of Jordan Abdullah II, and Pope Francis. Award-winning photojournalist. Some accolades include: FOX News’ “Best Military Photo of 2013,” two U.S. Air Force “Photographer of the Year” awards, 19 Air Force Major Command “Journalist of the Year” awards, and was selected to teach combat photography to a class at the London School of photography. Led team to win 127 other team and individual awards
What are your plans for the future? I started a small non-profit where we use art, music, and other creativity to help veterans (and any traumatized people seeking help) with PTSD, Morale Injury, and other ailments by offering the arts and creativity as another voice, or another perspective, or to merely do busy, therapeutic work.
12 Spring 2022
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supporting the three pillars of PGA REACH Colorado
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY INCLUSION
Making a positive difference in the lives of others through the game of golf MILITARY PGA HOPE Helping Our Patriots Everywhere Mortgage-Free Home to a Combat Wounded Veteran
YOUTH
INCLUSION
COPGA Junior Tour
Growth of the Game Grants
Golf in Schools Drive, Chip, and Putt PGA Jr. League
IVY Pro-Am
College Scholarships Women's Leadership Summit PGA WORKS Fellow
Reach.ColoradoPGA.com
PGA REACH Feature
Colorado PGA Welcomes next PGA WORKS Fellow, Davyon Collins Davyon Collins joins the Colorado Section of the PGA of America as the Section’s second-ever PGA WORKS Fellow.
CEO and Executive Director Steven Bartkowski commented, "Davyon comes to PGA REACH Colorado with a strong background in operations and youth sports. We are excited to have him join our team as our secondever PGA Works Fellow and believe he will make a strong positive impact in our growth of the game programming and inclusion efforts.” Before moving to Colorado, Collins worked for the Houston Texans in Community Development and Texas Legends in Game Day Operations and Community Engagement. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Dallas Christian College, where he also played basketball. Collins was a four-year Academic All-American and voted team captain during his senior season. That season, his team made a run to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, where they finished fifth in the nation. Collins graduated Cum Laude and received the Lucille L. Perkins Award, given to the most well-prepared student within the Business Department. Following DCC, Collins spent two seasons as a Graduate Assistant for the Dallas Baptist University Men’s Basketball program, while simultaneously earning his MBA in Project Management.
PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry’s workforce. The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a program that offers access to individuals from diverse backgrounds to gain experience in all facets of the golf industry. The Fellowship provides the opportunity for a one-year, paid immersion in the Colorado PGA Section headquarters in Larkspur, Colorado. This entry-level employment experience offers a taste of what a career in the golf industry can provide. Collins will support PGA REACH Colorado charitable programs within the Foundation’s Youth, Military, and Inclusion Pillars. These programs include the Colorado PGA Junior Tour, PGA Jr. League, Golf in Schools, Drive, Chip & Putt, and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere).
14 Spring 2022
Growing up playing basketball and participating in youth camps planted the roots for Collins’ passion for community development and outreach. He believes his purpose in life is to give back to communities in a similar way as others did for him in his youth.
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PGA REACH Feature
“I believe the game of golf has the potential to influence the next generation on and off the green. In addition, the game of golf provides an avenue for players of different ethnicities, genders, and ages to come together and build relationships with the game at the center. Being a part of a team that is helping shape the sport and culture of golf into an industry that reflects the rest of the world is a mission that I can get behind. Inclusion and diversity are critical to me because they shape our youth's future.” Collins shared that his journey with basketball changed his life and allowed him to pursue an MBA. The same lifechanging effects can happen here in Colorado through our formative Junior Golf Programs. Golf can shape and transform lives for the better, for generations to come.
For more information on PGA REACH Colorado, visit Reach.ColoradoPGA.com For more information on PGA WORKS, visit PGAReach.org
In 2021, Elizabeth Whan was hired as the first-ever PGA WORKS Fellow of PGA REACH Colorado. Elizabeth certainly took advantage of this grant program, which is fully funded by the charitable arm of the Colorado PGA Section, as she has since been hired on as a full-time employee of the Colorado PGA as the Communications and Digital Content Coordinator.
15 Spring 2022
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Junior Golf Spring Season
Junior Golf News
Meet our 2022 Summer Junior Golf Interns Welcome to the team!
The Colorado PGA Section welcomes interns Brayden Weiss and Brooke Arithson to the team! The purpose of the PGA is to promote the enjoyment of the game of golf and contribute to the growth of players. The PGA Junior Golf interns are responsible for assisting and conducting day-to-day operations for our Colorado PGA Junior Golf Tour, Drive Chip & Putt Qualifiers and PGA Jr. League.
Brayden Weiss Background: I grew up in Superior, Colorado and am entering my Junior year at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana where I am majoring in Political Science with a minor in History. I grew up playing golf and baseball, but fell in love with golf as I entered high school, and have gone on to play Division III Collegiate golf at Wabash. What do you hope to gain from this experience? I’m hoping that this internship will give me the opportunity to expand my knowledge about the back end of the game of golf. I’m also hoping to give back to the game I’ve already been able to take so much away from, and hopefully to help provide kids this summer with a junior golf experience like the one that made such a major impact on my life. What are you looking forward to this season? I am really looking forward to building relationships with the juniors in our tournaments and Drive, Chip, and Putt events, and hopefully being a positive lasting influence on their love for the game of golf, and their life as they continue to grow.
What are you enjoying about this experience so far? So far I am loving working with the amazing team here at the Colorado PGA, and ultimately I have loved watching that work transfer into the enjoyment kids are gaining from our programs like Drive, Chip and Putt. What are your long term goals? My long term goals are to hopefully continue within the golf industry after college, likely continuing in golf administration with organizations like the PGA. I have realized that golf has become such a large part of my life, and that my future definitely lies within the game I’ve come to love.
18 Spring 2022
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Junior Golf News
Meet our 2022 Summer Junior Golf Interns Welcome to the team!
What are you enjoying about this experience so far? I am enjoying my experience with the PGA Colorado section so far. I think I fit well with the team I’m working with and appreciate the patience and opportunities they are giving me. What are your long term goals? Since I have only been working a short time it is hard to define my long term goals. I want to expand my professional skills and knowledge while helping others throughout the process. Ultimately, I want to create positive relationships and environments with my coworkers. What are you looking forward to this season? I am looking forward to working in the Junior gold department. A lot of the events in the junior department are kids' first experience with a golfing competition. I think it’s important to create a positive relationship with golf at a young age so they can enjoy the sport confidently. I have been given an opportunity to help shape children's attitude towards golf.
Brooke Arithson Background: I grew up in Aurora, Colorado and am entering my senior year at the University of Wyoming. I am getting a degree in Communications and hope to return to Colorado after graduation. I grew up playing golf with my family and was on the golf team at Smoky Hill High School. I dedicate most of my free time to my dog and adventure with him, whether it is hiking, biking or training. What do you hope to gain from this experience? Throughout my time with the PGA Colorado section, I hope to gain connections and relationships within the golf community of Colorado. I hope this opportunity will help me find a career path I want to pursue whether it is within the golf industry or helps me narrow down my career goals.
19 Spring 2022
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Junior Golf News
2022 Drive, Chip & Putt Finalists
Congratulations to these four Colorado PGA Junior Golfers who qualified last summer and competed in this year's DCP National Finals during the 2022 Masters at Augusta National GC.
Matai Naqica
Home course: Murphy Creek School/grade: Columbine HS (10th) Age: 15 Favorite course you've played at? Practiced on is Augusta National. Played 18 on is Natadola Bay, Fiji Most memorable part about playing at Augusta? Competing in the DCP Finals? Putting on the 18th hole What did you learn about your golf game while competing in DCP? Learning how to play in front of big crowds Did you meet any Pro golfers at Augusta? Who was your favorite that you met? Dustin Johnson was my favorite and I also met Bubba Watson What's your favorite DCP skill (drive, chip, or putt)? What's the hardest? Favorite is putting. Driving is the hardest because you have to get it in the grid Who did you bring with you to Augusta? My parents, high school coach Cory Olsen, swing coach Brent Sailer, and the Columbine Rebels golf team What's your biggest golf achievement? Helping my high school win our 1st conference title in 44 years! Do you have any golf superstitions? I never wear green when playing in tournaments. Favorite sports other than golf? Basketball and speed stacking Favorite school subject? Math and graphic design
20 Spring 2022
Judd Nikkel
Home course: Harmony School/grade: Werner (5th) Age: 11 Favorite course you've played at? Sterling Grove in Surprise, AZ Most memorable part about playing at Augusta? Driving down Magnolia Lane. Competing in the DCP Finals? Putting on the 18th green What did you learn about your golf game while competing in DCP? That I’m not as long off the tee as I would like to be Did you meet any Pro golfers at Augusta? Jordan Spieth, Scottie Sheffler, Sam Burns, Max Homa, Freddy Couples, Matt Wolff, James Piot. Who was your favorite that you met? Jordan Spieth What's your favorite DCP skill (drive, chip, or putt)? Chipping is my favorite. What's the hardest? Putting on Augusta greens Who did you bring with you to Augusta? My family. My mom and dad, my brother Tyler and my sister Carlie How did you become interested in golf? I got a plastic club at two years old and never let it go What's your biggest golf achievement so far? I hit a hole-in-one when I was 8 2021 Season Stat: Finished 5th overall in 10U for the 2021 season with the JGAC Dream Foursome? Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, and Steph Curry
The SUMMIT
Junior Golf News
Anthony Chen
Home course: Murphy Creek School/grade: Fox Ridge (7th) Age: 13 Favorite course you've played at? I think Paiute GC in Las Vegas because the greens are really fast and very challenging, and the scenery around the course is beautiful Most memorable part about playing at Augusta? Competing in the DCP Finals? When I sank the 15foot putt on the famous 18th green and the whole crowd was cheering for me as if I was a pro What did you learn about your golf game while competing in DCP? There was a lot of pressure from the crowds and the media. I learned how to better control my nerve and stick to my plan Did you meet any Pro golfers at Augusta? I really liked meeting Bubba because I got to shake his hand before I hit and he watched me for driving and putting. I also met many others like Xander, Wolff, Koepka, Van Rooyen, and followed Tiger for 3 holes What's your favorite DCP skill (drive, chip, or putt)? What's the hardest? My favorite is putting because I really like trying to get the ball close or seeing it drop. I like putting a lot more now since I made the putt at Augusta and I felt proud of myself. The hardest is chipping because if I chunk the ball, it will look the most embarrassing. Who did you bring with you to Augusta? My mom, dad, and my little brother. I also brought our best family friends from Florida
Sophia Capua
Home course: Murphy Creek School/grade: Vista Peak Exploratory (8th) Age: 14 Favorite course you've played at? Trump Doral Most memorable part about playing at Augusta? Seeing the professional golfers and getting their autographs. Competing in the DCP Finals? Just being at Augusta was memorable What did you learn about your golf game while competing in DCP? Keep yourself warmed up and be ready to go, don’t get cold while waiting for your turn Who was your favorite Pro golfer that you met? Nancy Lopez, because she is my Great-Grandma's favorite female golfer What's your favorite DCP skill (drive, chip, or putt)? Chipping What's the hardest? Driving Who did you bring with you to Augusta? Mom, Dad, Brother, Grandpa, Uncle and my former PGA Junior League Coach with his daughter What's the best piece of advice you'd received? When you have a bad shot, just shake it off and don't carry it to the next shot! What do you want to be when you grow up? I'm aspiring to be a pilot for United Airlines What do you like most about playing golf? Playing with friends!
Want to earn your chance to compete at Augusta? Check out DriveChipandPutt.com to find a local qualifier near you!
21 Spring 2022
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PGA Regional Director's Message
Who is the Right Mentor for Me? We're here to help equip you for success We hear a lot about the importance of having a mentor, or mentors, in our industry. Some of us have been fortunate enough to have worked for someone or with someone we consider to be a mentor. But, what made them valuable to us? Many times we have looked to someone and wanted them to be a mentor because of their reputation or stature in the golf business--maybe they were a top merchandiser, or an accomplished teacher, or just seem to have had all the right jobs in the industry. Certainly from a knowledge standpoint, there is much to be learned from those individuals who have seen great success, and we all should take advantage of that when given the opportunity. The acclaimed late American poet Maya Angelou described a great mentor in a very different way, “in order to be a mentor, and an effective one, one must care. You must care. You don’t have to know how many square miles are in Idaho, you don’t need to know what is the chemical makeup of a molecule, or of blood or water. Know what you know and care about the person, care about what you know and care about the person you’re sharing with.”
There is a recurring theme in what she says here. In fact, she uses a single word five times in her description of a mentor. The word is CARE. I would argue the best mentor you can seek out in our industry is someone who has shown a genuine interest in you as a person and your future as both an individual and as a golf professional. To take it a step further, I would encourage you to look for someone who shares your value system. What values shape your decisionmaking from a career standpoint? Assessing your values is one of the first steps in your career planning process should you opt to spend time with your PGA Career Consultant. I am on the journey with you, so CLICK HERE to schedule some time for us to connect. The goal is not only for you to find the best mentor, but also to begin mapping out your career goals and a strategy to accomplish them. Ready to get started? Let’s do this.
Keith Soriano, PGA, MBA PGA Regional Director, Mountain & Midwest Region PGA of America ksoriano@pgahq.com
23 SPRING 2022
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Colorado PGA Professional Spotlight
PGA Professional Spotlight Leighton Smith, PGA
It’s crazy how careers evolve. Just like our golf games. You can put a ton of work in and not see the immediate results that you want to see. You can also work minimally and find good luck and fortune. Careers, golf games and life all seem to roll in seasons. Seasons of ease, loss, growth. The older I get the more the meaning of the word “success” changes. What is success? What does it take to be “successful”? I certainly do not have the answers, but I’d love to share a bit of my story and perhaps we can relate to what it's like grinding in the golf industry while we all look for our own version of success. Football was my main sport in high school. That quickly changed to golf when my neighbor invited me out to play 9 at the local muni course, Patty Jewitt, the summer before my junior year of high school. I was hooked immediately and turned my focus to golf. I enrolled in the UCCS PGA Golf Management Program at UCCS right after graduating. On the first day of the program our legend of a Director and PGA Pro, Ed Kelbel, asked our class a question I’ll never forget. What are you here for and what do you want out of your career? All my peers raised their hands exclaiming their goals to be GMs, Head Professionals, etc. Somehow that day I knew I would never go that
24 SPRING 2022
route. I didn't know what I wanted, but I knew I was there because I loved golf… Let me stop here for a moment. I'm going to be bold and blunt for a second… Throughout my four years in the program and 11 years as a Class A, I have seen a very clear divide in our sea of PGA members. Some whose passion is present and some whose passion and love for the game is locked away after battling the adversity of grinding away in a career revolving around a sport. That day in the classroom I remember telling Ed that I just wanted to enjoy my career and build some awesome relationships along the way. My idea of success at that time was to get into a career where my passion was present.
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Colorado PGA Member Spotlight I learned quickly that I wanted to teach full-time. My idea of success was not just being in the industry but on the lesson tee. After a few years of teaching with Hank Haney in South Carolina, I felt I needed a change. I grew tremendously, but I wanted to teach more than wealthy teenagers. Again, my picture of what success should look like changed. In 2013 I helped start The First Tee of Pikes Peak. That was an incredible experience, but after 4 years I felt I was at my limit. All the twists and turns of a career (and life) were getting more and more significant the older I got. In 2017, I took a massive leap of faith and left my salary and benefits and started Leighton Smith Golf. I didn't think I had the entrepreneurial spirit, but I knew what I wanted. I wanted to chase “it”. The dream. The “what if’s”. I had a solid book of clients and a plan to present myself more as a coach than just a pro who does lessons an hour at a time. I wanted to be with people who were dedicated to their goals. People who wanted to learn and be pushed. People who would hold me accountable for constantly evolving and improving my teaching skills. I called my coaching program “The Tribe”. Fast forward to now, 2022, I just made another massive turn in my career. In February of this year, I opened Tribe Golf, an indoor TrackMan lounge. My coaching program known as The Tribe grew, but so did my dream. I wanted a place where people could grind on their games, but also a spot to chill and have
Leighton Smith, PGA The Tribe Founder/Owner/Coach leightonsmithgolf.com tribegolf.com
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a good time. I stretched myself, did my homework, and ultimately took a huge leap and opened Tribe Golf. Let me be clear… It’s easy to write about growth and chasing dreams. I’ve had so many days and nights filled with doubt and anxiety. So much anger at the inevitable roadblocks. The constant in my life was my faith, my family, close friends, and awesome mentors. So, now that I own and run a business, success is yet again different than in the past. Success is blurry right now, to be honest. I’ve taken on a lot of risks. So success right now is just surviving this infancy of my business. It’s making enough money to pay all these new bills. It’s my ability to balance work and life. I can work hard and make money, but that's not success to me if my home life suffers because my best is given to my work. It's hard. That's why success is blurry. It’s elusive. It can be a mirage. It can be like nailing jello to the wall. So, success to me at this point in my career is making a decent living, growing a program I designed and love, and being there for the people who love me. Let me close with this and echo the words of the late Ed Kelbel. What are you here for? And what do you want out of your career? We ALL are grinding to find our way. Whether it's grinding for a promotion, for a raise, for a change of pace or maybe it's to maintain the status quo at your club? To keep up with the covid golf boom? Who knows… just remember success is elusive and ultimately it's about having a healthy perspective on personal and professional needs and desires. Take a deep breath. You're doing good! Navigating a career isn't easy no matter what you do. Just take a second to realize you're moving forward even if you feel stuck. If you're stressed out of your mind, take a breath. If you're lost, what would it look like to just dream? I challenge you to put more passion into your current role in the industry. Whether it's a passion to lead, manage finances, teach golf…whatever it is, it is your responsibility to cultivate a healthy culture for your workplace. And I think digging into your passion is what can create enough momentum to change your life and the lives of those around you.
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Colorado PGA Member Spotlight
Implementing a Committed Players Program
PGA Professional, Stefanie Ferguson, Best Practices: Developing Players On the importance of implementing a committed players program: Effective player development programming takes a commitment from both sides of the lesson tee. As PGA and LPGA Professionals, we have dedicated our lives to growing the game by providing game improvement opportunities. Getting that buy-in from our golfers is sometimes a challenge. At Experience Golf, we implemented a long-term development program six years ago that is geared towards players who want to improve all aspects of their game and have the time and resources to commit on a weekly basis. The program extends from April 15 to October 15 and includes one initial individual assessment, five private 45-minute coaching sessions, five supervised on-course group sessions and an unlimited number of two-hour supervised group practice sessions and supervised short course assessments. I have participants of various skill levels and experience in the program and personalize it to each individual. Those golfers who are beginners or high handicappers in April end up more confident and comfortable on the golf course by fall, whereas my higher skilled golfers are usually looking to fine-tune specific aspects of their game, elevating them to the next level of play. In addition, to the clear benefits of the private coaching together, students also benefit from the many group sessions, as they learn from each other and understand that the issues they’re having with their golf swing are usually not exclusive to them. We offer a vast schedule of sessions throughout the six-month period and will see most individuals in this program two or three times per week. With a variety of engagement opportunities, ranging from the short course and range to short game area and championship course, students receive a well-rounded, all-inclusive curriculum that covers the physical and mental aspects of the game, as well as equipment analysis, fitness, tips on effective practice and course management.
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On the business impact of implementing a committed players program: Just looking at the agenda and length of this program, golfers know they’re getting into a deep dive for game improvement. They understand that we are committed to their progress and are expected to be just as dedicated to achieving their goals. Securing long-term participants is great for business, of course. Individuals pay an initial membership fee and can pay their program fees on a monthly basis. This is guaranteed income that any golf coach would value in their business plan. With its expansive curriculum, we recently built upon its initial structure, adding Level 2 in 2021, with plans to roll out a junior golf program with a similar framework in 2022. It has always been important for golf students to commit to the process for true, long-term improvement. Whether it’s a five-lesson package or a six-month commitment, getting your students to see the big picture is vital to their success in golf, as well as ours as golf professionals.
Stefanie Ferguson, PGA - the 2021 Colorado PGA Section Player Development Award winner, is the PGA/LPGA Lead Instructor at Experience Golf in Aurora, Colorado, and the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.
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Membership News
New Members & Associates Welcome to the Colorado Section
New Members and Associates The Colorado PGA welcomes and congratulates new members and associates to the Section and to the PGA of America! For some, this is the first time they have joined our Section, while others might be returning.
Members Associates Alden Richards Jr., PGA | LM Bryan Anderson | B-15 | PGA Tour Superstore - Westminster Michael Haslar, PGA | A-8 | Springhill Golf Course Paul DeSandro | B-8 | King's Deer Golf Club Colin Frost, PGA | A-8 | Vail Golf Club Trent Fleming | B-8 | Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club Fritz Johnson III, PGA | A-14 | X - Golf Rapid City Andrew Drea, Jr. | B-8 | Boulder Country Club Kayla O'Keefe, PGA | A-8 | Blackstone Country Club John Steele | B-8 | South Suburban Golf Course Timothy Radomicki, PGA | A-8 | Boulder Country Club Mario Garcia | B-8 | Thorncreek Golf Course Dominic Rojas, PGA | A-8 | Perry Park Country Club Grady Meyer | B-8 | Colorado Golf Club Evan Schultz, PGA | A-8 | Lake Arbor Golf Course Justin Carlock | B-8 | Eaton Country Club Garrett Hoffman, PGA | A-1 | Buffalo Run Golf Course Gregory Arkin | B-8 | Family Sports Center GC Brendon Hardy | B-6 | GOLFTEC- Fort Collins South David Hensley | B-13 | Ballyneal Golf Club Lance Juelfs | B-1 | Sky Ranch Golf Course Troy Dominguez | B-8 | Lakewood Country Club Chad Quirk | B-8 | Cherokee Ridge Golf Course Frederick Lanier, Jr. | B-8 | Telluride Ski & Golf Resort Ragan McGilvery | B-8 | Arrowhead Golf Club Justin Lampert | B-8 | The Ranch Country Club Ashtyn Swigart | B-8 | Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course
Welcome Wagon Welcome to the following members and associates who have recently transferred into the Section. Bryan Marshall, PGA | A-1 | Nebraska Section Anthony Cavallo, PGA | A-8 | Philadelphia Section James Rockelman, PGA | A-14 | South Florida Section Trevor Martinet | B-8 | South Florida Section Ray Sowers, PGA | A-8 | North Florida Section Hannah Berman | B-8 | North Florida Section Kevin Leskouski, PGA | A-1 | New England Section Luis Gaspar | B-6 | Southern California Section Brook Bell, PGA | A-8 | Southwest Section John Mullin IV, PGA | A-8 | Carolinas Section Bryan Winkel, PGA | A-8 | Pacific Northwest Section Ken Anderson, PGA | A-1 | Southern Texas Section Daniel Ashley, PGA | A-1 | New Jersey Section Remington Post, PGA | A-1 | Southern California Section Brett Baylin, PGA | A-1 | Northern Texas Section Justin Beaudu, PGA | A-8 | Carolinas Section
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Matt Frith, PGA | A-14 | North Florida Section Kirby Lee, PGA | A-1 | Northern California Section Blaine Ward | B-8 | Pacific Northwest Section Clint Mayo, PGA | A-1 | Carolinas Section Andrew Farrell, PGA | A-8 | South Florida Section Bryant Boshard, PGA | A-1 Kipp Bates, PGA | RSV | Gateway Section Michael Aldrich, PGA | A-11 | Tennessee Section Russel Davies, PGA | A-13 | South Central Section
Obituaries Our deepest sympathies to the families who experienced a recent loss. Robert Strong | LMA | age 69 Richard Hartman | LM | age 89
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Membership 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 lapel pin.
Dan O'Shaughnessy, PGA
Head Golf Professional | Springhill Golf Course Colorado Section and PGA of America Awards: Certified PGA Professional in Player Development and although not awards, each Colorado PGA Cup Team I have played on felt like an award to me! What was your first introduction to the game of golf? My mom and I would hit golf balls at a New Hampshire driving range as Friday night fun and around age 12 I started playing golf with my grandfather, uncle, and cousin regularly, and remain my fondest early memories! What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? Player Development: Looking back over 25 years, I am most proud of developing, implementing, and focusing on creating avenues to enjoy golf in diverse ways.
If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? Bobby Mac, PGA, my college coach, and mentor and someone I miss greatly, Charles Monahan, my late grandfather who I have played the second most rounds of golf with in my life and lastly, since Sonja Henie is out, I'll take Tray Shehee, PGA who I've played the most rounds of golf with and they always seem to get better.
THIS OR THAT?
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Short Par 5
Short Par 3
Match Play
Stroke Play
Music On on the course
Music Off on the course
Shorts on the course
Pants on the course
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Membership News
Quarter Century Club
Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member Tray Shehee, PGA
Director of Instruction | Ute Creek Golf Course Colorado Section and PGA of America Awards: Certified PGA Professional in Player Development and although not awards, each Colorado PGA Cup Team I have played on felt like an award to me! What was your first introduction to the game of golf? Each April, the Easter Bunny would put in my basket a little yellow card that said "Junior Golf Pass" to Highland Hills. I rode my bike every day to the course with my brown golf bag. I was in the junior golf program every summer. Bob McNamee and Ken Anderson were the PGA Professionals. I will never forget Bob handing me my first trophy when I was 9. I wanted to be just like Bobby Mac. If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? My dream foursome is a bit sensitive. I have been lucky enough to play with some greats already. So I would choose three people who aren't with me anymore: grandma, dad, and sister.
What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? I chose to become a PGA Professional because catching for the Dodgers fell through. Ha! Really, golf is all I have ever known. I can't imagine doing anything else. I have had so many proud moments in my career. Teaching has been at the forefront of all those moments. I taught my wife how to play in college and she has been the PGA Head Professional at Boulder Country Club for 22 years. I taught both my children to play. My daughter just received a scholarship to join her older brother as University of Northern Colorado Student Athletes. And just this summer, I caddied for my son in the United States Amateur Championship at Oakmont Country Club. I am the fourth best player in my family, and that is my proudest achievement.
THIS OR THAT? 30 Spring 2022
Short Par 5
Short Par 3
Match Play
Stroke Play
Shorts on the course
Pants on the course
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Membership News
Quarter Century Club
Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member Perry Holmes, PGA
Director of Instruction | Colorado National Golf Club Colorado Section and PGA of America Awards: 2018 Colorado Section Champion and 2010 Senior Section Champion What was your first introduction to the game of golf? Playing with my dad at the age of 10 years old. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? Helping students with their golf game. If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? My dad, brother, and grandson would be a great time!
Not Pictured: Russel Aragon, PGA
Jeffrey Hill, PGA
Kirk Mease, PGA
Ed Kujalowicz, PGA
Golf Executive | Aspen Golf Management Life Member
Erica Webster, PGA Life Member
JR Hamblet, PGA
General Manager | Elkhorn Ridge Golf Course
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Life Member
Teaching Professional | Antler Creek Golf Course
Scott Lane, PGA
Teaching Professional | MetaGolf Learning Center
Bryce Tani, PGA
Assistant Golf Professional | Fox Hollow Golf Club
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Membership News
Quarter Century Club
Celebrating 25 Years of Service as a PGA Member Mike Aldrich, PGA
Player Engagement Consultant | PGA of America Colorado Section and PGA of America Awards: MAPGA Assistant of the Year and multiple nominations for Professional Development Awards. What was your first introduction to the game of golf? At 7 years old, I would hit wiffle balls in my grandparents' back yard into a hole that I dug into their lawn. At 9, I was snuck onto a local muni and legend has it that I birdied my 6th hole of golf. What makes you most proud about being a PGA Professional? I know that my efforts have brought joy and accomplishment to many of my golfers and fellow Professionals.
If you could have a dream foursome, who would it be and why? It would be with my father Gerry, my deceased grandfather Saul, and Lee Elder. Gerry & Saul introduced me to the game. I met Lee at a young age and he was always kind and generous with his time. Lee sacrificed a lot to play the game and broke barriers that go beyond the game of golf.
THIS OR THAT?
Short Par 5
Short Par 3
Match Play
Stroke Play
Music On on the course
Music Off on the course
Shorts on the course
Pants on the course
Thank you for your many years of dedication and service to the PGA of America. We look forward to your continued involvement for years to come! 33 Spring 2022
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PGA Player Engagement
Celebration Beats Marketing How are you inspiring joy?
It is commonly said that values of an organization can be identified by what they celebrate. Visit a cheer gym and an impressive display of oversized trophies will greet you at the entrance. Head over to Atlanta’s East Lake Country Club and on your way to the golf shop, golfers stop to admire the display of Bobby Jones memorabilia, including his old locker. It is hard to imagine a golf fanatic walking by without reading a couple of his letters and imagining his unique voice carefully enunciating his words with his distinctive Georgia drawl. It doesn’t take long to realize that a second theme at East Lake GC is “Golf with a Purpose”. You will see this message repeated on merchandise, the scorecard, and most notably on every one of the complimentary ball markers that are handed to you by your caddie. The message and their actions make you realize that they have a larger purpose for golf beyond hitting a white rock across a pasture with a crooked stick. The club takes revitalizing and sustaining its neighborhood seriously and contributes all club profits to assist with the betterment of the community, including significant support for the Charlie Yates Golf Course and its community programming.
While not everyone has the history or resources of East Lake Golf Club, your facility is a community center where there is much to be celebrated. When you walk the grounds of your facility, take a look around with fresh eyes. Look for indications of what you celebrate. While promoting the next tournament with your prices and sign-up information is important, does it create inspiration? How would it change if you added photos of last year’s champions? When your new student makes her first par, how do you let the rest of the club know? When your Junior League All-Star Team is formed, are you taking a photo and sharing the information on social media, the club website, and even an old-fashioned bulletin board. What about creating a board to celebrate the arrival of new golfers and staff members? When you start celebrating your golfers, your team and the community, you will discover all of the ways that celebration creates joy and attraction. If you want more ideas on celebrating the elements that make your club special, please reach out to me.
Mike Aldrich, PGA Certified Professional Player Engagement Consultant PGA of America maldrich@pgahq.com
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Player of the Year Point Lists Dow Finsterwald Colorado PGA Rolex Player of the Year Player
Facility
1 Bear Creek Golf Club Ben Lanting Lakewood Country Club 2 Geoff Keffer The Club At Pradera 3 Jason Witczak Saddle Rock Golf Course 4 Grant Jackson 5 Valley Country Club Barry Milstead 6 Legacy Ridge Golf Course Visanu Tongwarin 7 The Links Golf Course Kyle Voska 8 Omni Interlocken Resort Dan Sniffin 9 Thorncreek Golf Course Ryan Bakken 10 Caine Fitzgerald Meadow Hills Golf Course 11 Jeff Carter Meadow Hills Golf Course 12 Mike Weingartner Walnut Creek Golf Preserve 13 Doug Rohrbaugh Golf At River Valley Ranch 14 Chris Johnson Country Club at Woodmoor 15 Ben Honaman Lakewood Country Club 16 Devon Pilkington Todd Creek Golf Club 17 Bill Hancock Meadow Hills Golf Course The top 17 Players will earn an exemption into the CoBank Colorado Open in 2022.
Colorado PGA Women's Player of the Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Player
Sherry Andonian Katie Milstead Alexandra Braga Meghan Hunter Rylie Tanoura Kayla O'Keefe Terra Shehee
Facility
Valley Country Club Valley Country Club Denver Country Club Fort Collins Country Club Blackstone Country Club Blackstone Country Club Boulder Country Club
POY Points 1,615.75 1,494.50 1,487.50 1,369.90 1,007.00 925.25 923.90 859.40 844.50 819.50 768.00 745.90 724.90 715.00 687.00 683.50 597.00
POY Points 520.00 230.50 160.50 100.00 100.00 50.00 50.00
Senior Colorado PGA Rolex Player of the Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Player
Ron Vlosich Doug Rohrbaugh Rick Cole Perry Holmes Barry Milstead Chris Johnson Sherry Andonian Bill Hancock Micah Rudosky Tom Krause
Facility
Life Member Golf At River Valley Ranch Eaton Country Club Colorado National Golf Club Valley Country Club Country Club at Woodmoor Valley Country Club Meadow Hills Golf Course Conquistador Golf Course Jake's Academy
Colorado PGA Associate Player of the Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Player
Andrew Connell Blake Kuzava Dan Augustine Brian Larson Camille Enright Jackie Cunningham Brandon Wood Behrod Keshtavar Zach Dobrota Preston Ewing
Facility
Ridge at Castle Pines North Bear Creek Golf Club The Club at Ravenna Cherry Creek Country Club The Club at Ravenna Valley Country Club Saddle Rock Golf Course Todd Creek Golf Club Copper Creek Golf Course Desert Hawk at Pueblo West
POY Points 1,347.50 1,346.90 1,292.90 1,212.25 1,207.00 915.00 820.00 749.00 664.00 619.50
POY Points 1,806.00 1,016.65 721.50 699.00 662.50 537.00 464.50 278.40 257.50 117.00
Tournament News
2021 Players of the Year
Awarded to the Colorado PGA Member with the highest cumulative total points from the respective player performance points lists.
Dow Finsterwald ROLEX Player of the Year
ROLEX Senior Player of the Year
Geoff Keffer, PGA
Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA
The road to Player of the Year included 27 Colorado PGA Section events, in addition to the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in April, and the CoBANK Colorado Open at Green Valley Ranch last July.
Rohrbaugh had a strong 2021 season, playing in 24 Colorado PGA events, not including the US Senior Open Sectional Qualifier, Wyoming State Open, CoBANK Colorado Open, CoBANK Colorado Senior Open, and PGA Professional Championship.
Assistant Golf Professional Lakewood Country Club
Notably, his 6th-place finish at the National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship at Highland Meadows GC, earned him an alternate spot for the Assistant PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club in November 2021. Additionally, another 6thplace finish at the Colorado PGA Professional Championship at Eisenhower GC, qualified him for the 55th PGA Professional Championship at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, in April 2022. This is the 7th time Keffer has claimed the Player of the Year title, making him the most decorated Colorado PGA Player of the Year. Keffer's other titles are from 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2020. He also earned the Associate Player of the Year title in 2010 and 2011.
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Instructor The Snowmass Club
Rohrbaugh's largest win of the season came when he lifted the West Chapter Championship trophy at Sonnenalp Club! Notable rounds came from finishing 2nd at the Myran Craig Pro-Pro Championship and tying for 2nd at the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship; earning a spot in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club in Florida, October 2021. Finishing T10 at the Colorado PGA Professional Championship earned him the first alternate position to play in the 55th PGA Professional Championship held at OMNI Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, in April 2022. Rohrbaugh is the most decorated Senior Player of the Year, winning 7 times: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020. He also won Player of the Year in 2018.
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Tournament News
2021 Players of the Year
Awarded to the Colorado PGA Member with the highest cumulative total points from the respective player performance points lists.
Associate Player of the Year Women's Player of the Year
Andrew Connell
Assistant Golf Professional The Ridge at Castle Pines North Thanks to his dad, Tom Connell, PGA Life Member, who served as the Colorado PGA Section President in 1985, Andy has been playing golf since he could walk. He played two years at the University of Arizona for two seasons before turning pro in 2003. With his experience playing around the country as a long-time mini-tour player and state player, Connell quickly worked his way up the points leaderboard. "I honestly had no idea that I was close enough to even have a chance at the points list. I'm very impressed with the level of players in our section, so I'm already looking forward to next year and having my first full season playing in the Section." Connell stated. Connell finishes the season with 2,113.50 points and three top-three finishes under his belt, but it was his tie for second at the National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship that acted as the cherry on top of his already impressive season. The secondplace finish qualified Connell for the 45th National Car Rental Assistant PGA Professional Championship, November 2021, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
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Sherry Andonian, PGA Instructor Valley Country Club
Andonian competed in 22 Colorado PGA events in 2021, with eight top-five finishes. "I feel very fortunate to receive this award, especially as a woman, as I know not every Section has this award. I hope I'm able to encourage more women to play golf. I always think to myself, 'maybe if they see me play, they'll want to join in and play too.'" This summer was full of exciting achievements for Andonian, as she had the opportunity to play in the U.S. Senior Women's Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, CT. Her performance at the 2021 Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship last August earned her a qualifying spot in the Senior PGA Professional Championship at the PGA Golf Club, October 2021. Her tie for sixth at the Colorado PGA Professional Championship this past September allowed her to lock in a qualifying spot for the 2022 PGA Professional Championship which was April 17-20 at Omni Bart Creek in Austin, TX. Winning the Women's Player of the Year title for the fourth consecutive year, Andonian continues to be a forceful leader of women's golf in Colorado.
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Tournament News
2022 PGA Professional Championship Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, TX | April 17-20, 2022
2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship Harbor Shores Golf Club, Benton Harbor, MI | May 25-29, 2022
39 Spring 2022
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2022 Tournament Season
2022 Tournament Season
Contact Nancy Huppert for all of your Under Armour needs nancy.huppert@gmail.com (303) 880-6331
Tournament News
2022 Major Championships Click the photos below for tournament information:
Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship
Colorado PGA Women's Championship
The Club at Flying Horse
Vail Golf Club
August 1-2, 2022
August 8-9, 2022
National Car Rental Colorado Assistant PGA Professional Championship
Colorado PGA Professional Championship
Thorncreek Golf Course
Todd Creek Golf Club
August 15-16, 2022
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September 19-21, 2022
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Special Awards Feature
2021 West Chapter Award Winners
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Special Awards Feature
2021 West Chapter Award Winners
45 Spring 2022
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Special Awards Feature
Troyer Honored to Receive the Charles "Vic" Kline Award The Charles “Vic” Kline Award is presented annually to a member of the Section Board of Directors in recognition of outstanding service and leadership to the Section. Making numerous positive changes to enhance the tournament program, the Board selected Dave Troyer, PGA, to be the 2021 recipient of the Vic Kline Award. A Colorado native, Troyer spent much of his childhood in Boulder. He received a golf scholarship and attended college at CU Boulder. After graduation, he sold insurance for a while. He wasn’t enjoying that job and was advised by his dad, “Do something you love. Do it to the best of your ability. Be in the top 5% of the people who do what you do, and you’ll make a plenty good living and enjoy your life.” Troyer has since been a PGA Professional for over twenty years. Troyer ran for the Colorado PGA Board in the Spring of 2015 when he felt settled in at CommonGround Golf Course as the General Manager and ready to give back to the PGA and the Colorado Section. Sworn in during the Fall Membership Meeting, he began the first of two terms as a director on the Colorado PGA Board. Committed to giving his best effort, Troyer lives by example. His style is more laid-back, and he likes to have fun and joke around yet stay productive. He describes himself as “the guy who wore cowboy boots, a sweater vest, tie, and a hat.” Troyer isn’t one to micromanage but prefers to gain respect. His philosophy is leadership through example and teaching as opposed to dictating and telling people what to do. One example he set was in his volunteerism with Tee it up for the Troops. He helped raise money and spent time mentoring a specific individual who learned golf, controlling his PTSD. This Veteran also took up skiing, eventually competing in Russia in the Paralympics. Troyer appreciates the training the Section put in place to constantly train the Board on being effective as a high-functioning Board. He states, “It really enforced respected opinions, productive discussion, and a team concept that I thought was fantastic. The opportunity to work with positive forward-thinking ideas and
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personalities - time was well spent on the Board.” Troyer said the leadership he was exposed to was very positive. He began his service when Ty Thompson, PGA, was president and says of Thompson, “He always had a positive attitude, direction, and was an outstanding leader and a supporter of everyone.” Thompson commented of Troyer, “He was the board member that would seek to understand before trying to be understood.” Troyer adopted some principles from the Board, how it communicates, and the structure of the Board and brought them to his staff. “My reward is having a staff that loves coming to work. My customers and my members love coming to my facility.” Troyer co-chaired and chaired the Tournament Committee and believes one of his greatest contributions as chair was pushing to get shorts approved for attire during Pro-Ams. He also served as a bridge between the Colorado Golf Association (CGA) and Colorado Section. When asked about how he feels being the Vic Kline Award recipient, Troyer shared, “I am honored and humbled.” Colorado PGA President Jim Hajek, PGA, states, “Dave epitomizes the characteristics of a great Board of Director. He listens, speaks up when needed, volunteers for events, and has done wonderful work as the co-chair of the tournament committee.”
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Special Awards Feature
Legendary Golf Professional, Warren Smith, Noble Chalfant Inductee The Noble Chalfant Award is presented to PGA Professionals for their distinguished service to the Colorado Section of the PGA. Legendary PGA Professional, Warren Smith, who has impacted countless lives and has an award in his honor, has been included in 2021’s Noble Chalfant Inductees. Smith was born in Escanaba, Michigan, and he moved with his family to Gadsden, Alabama, where he started playing golf at the age of 11. When he was 16, he won his first match and at age 18, he set an amateur record of 31 at the Gadsden Country Club. The following year, at age 19, he won the 25th annual Beauvoir Country Club Invitational in Montgomery, Alabama. In 1945 Smith served three months in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II. Upon returning to the States after the war, Smith was the Head Professional at Seiberling Country Club in Akron, Ohio, and then became the first Head Professional at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas, where he served for 16 ½ years. While at Oak Hills, he was instrumental in bringing the Texas Open to their facility, where it was played from 1961-1966. He often played with Dow Finsterwald and Arnold Palmer, who won the Texas Open in 1960, 1961, and 1962. His infamous career in Colorado began at Cherry Hills Country Club in 1963. Smith was the Head Professional for 27 years at Cherry Hills during which the club was established as one of the premier golf operations in the country. Smith mentored 16 assistant professionals who went on to become Head Professionals at country clubs throughout the country. Events held during Smith’s time at Cherry Hills include the 1976 U.S. Senior Amateur, the 1978 U.S. Open, the 1983 U.S. Mid-Amateur, the 1985 PGA Championship, and the 1990 U.S. Amateur.
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He was awarded a red jacket and honorary lifetime membership from the club in 1985, a distinction that, at the time, had been conferred upon only President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Arnold Palmer. Smith played in two PGA Championships, the 1966 U.S. Open, and the 1965 Colorado Open. He shot his age at 66 and every year until he retired at 87 in 2003. Throughout Smith’s career, he played a leadership role in the PGA Sections where he lived. He was the president of the Central Texas PGA Section for three terms and the Colorado PGA Section for five. In 1973, Smith was named PGA of America’s Golf Professional of the Year. He was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1978 and was their 1990 Golf Person of the Year. The Colorado PGA named a lifetime achievement award in his honor, with recipients dating back to 1986, when he was the first recipient. Smith was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2005. That same year, Oak Hills named a Junior Golfer Scholarship after him.
The SUMMIT
Special Awards Feature
Hall of Famer, Kyle Heyen, PGA, Noble Chalfant Inductee Heyen embodies distinguished service to the Colorado PGA, which is exactly the definition of the Noble Chalfant Award. “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,” states Heyen. A Colorado native, Heyen fell in love with golf as a young teenager through his first position as a range boy at Hyland Hills Golf Course in Westminster. After high school, 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 the Hyland Hills before landing at Hiwan Golf Club. Heyen started at Hiwan as an Assistant Professional in 1980 and has been the Head Professional since 1985. He has served the Colorado Section on the Colorado PGA Board of Directors for 23 years, starting in 1998, and was elected as an officer in 2000. During this time, in addition to chairing Section Committees such as Education, Foundation, Historical, Junior Golf, and Military Affairs, he also created the Colorado Section PGA Golf Academy (1992-1993) and established Colorado PGA annual visits to Denver Veterans Hospitals (2009). In 2011, Heyen was elected into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and now 10 years later has been inducted into the 2021 PGA of America Hall of Fame! Heyen has been awarded numerous Section Awards and several National Awards: COPGA Golf Professional of the Year (2005, 2006), Bill Strausbaugh Award (2010), COPGA Professional Development Award (1993,1999, 2000, 2001), COPGA Player Development Award (2007, 2008), Vic Kline Award (2011), PGA of America President's Plaque (2009), and Play Golf America "Top 100 Facility" (2010-2012).
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Nationally, Heyen served from 2008-2012 as a PGA of America Board of Control Member, which evaluates and issues decisions in the appeal process for 28,000 PGA Members nationwide and awards PGA disaster-relief funds. In this time, he reviewed over 1,000 cases! Heyen has served on several National committees as well, including his role as the PGA of America CoChairman of the Governance Committee (2006-2008), Play Golf America Committee (2009), National Awards and Hall of Fame Selection Committee (2009-2010), 2.0 Platinum Committee Member (2011-2012), Player Development Co-Chair (2012-2014), PGA of America Membership Committee (2014-2016), PGA of America Awards Committee (2015-2016 and Committee Chair in 2017). Service for Heyen also includes his term as the District 9 Director from November 2014-2017. In 2017, he got involved with the PGA REACH Running Team and has been either the Chair or Co-Chair since that time raising funds for PGA REACH.
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Thank you to our Section Partners
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Presenting
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Thank you to our Section Partners
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Thank you to our Foundation Partners
PGA REACH Colorado
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