The Best in Our Backyard

The PGA’sRising Stars Set to Compete at The Ascendant presentedbyBlue

By John Lehndorff

For three years, the PGA tournament in Berthoud has been Colorado’s little secret. Spectators have been wowed by the brilliant golf played by young unknowns like Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris before they ascended to PGA stardom, The Masters and the U.S. Open.

“Scotty Scheffler played here in 2019 and is now the world’s No. 1 golfer. Guests expect to see the next generation of golf stars, Ascendant presented by Blue.

The PGA TOUR event June 27 to July 3 at the TPC Colorado course in Berthoud was ranked Tournament of the Year in 2021 on the 26-event Korn Ferry tour where more than 80 percent PGA TOUR players get their start.

Formerly known as the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes, the tournament has a fresh name in its fourth year. “We just signed a 5-year naming deal with Ascendent National Title and Blue Federal Credit Union, ” Blass says.

Already praised as one of the best golf tournament experiences for spectators, The Ascendent has upgraded amenities for the 30,000 guests who will visit the 200-acre site for the week’s festivities.

“We’ ve added a lot more opportunities for people to watch golf comfortably out of the sun. We’re excited about the Center Stage pavilion at the 16th hole. It’s tented so everyone can watch the play on this signature hole seated in the shade. We also added a new pavilion at the first tee. There are new food options from A Spice of Life Catering and beverage partners like Proximo Sprits and New Belgium, ” he says.

TPC Colorado’s 7991-yard course with panoramic views of Longs Peak, Mount Meeker and the Front Range includes the signature 13th hole. At 773 yards, it’s the longest par five hole at any PGA event.

“One thing we provide that a lot of tournaments don’t is parking for everyone on-site. In addition, the City of Berthoud provides a free shuttle service around the outside of the course so you can hop off and see the play at various holes, ” Blass says.

It has become a tournament tradition for families to bring their kids because of the roster of fun activities for various ages. Especially popular are the giant Legos and the Visit Loveland Cool Zone igloo near hole No. 3.

“The Junior Golf Clinic presented by CityWide Banks provides opportunities for kids to build their skills including putting greens. Older kids have a chipping area where they can score points. We’ ve enhanced our Birdie Ball Interactive Area with more inflatables for them to swing at, ” he says.

The Ascendant presented by Blue couldn’t take place without hundreds of volunteers who assist guests. “It’s pretty impressive how this community has supported this event all along the Front Range from Wyoming to Trinidad, especially our Northern Colorado community including Loveland,

Longmont, Berthoud and Fort Collins, ” Drew Blass says.

The Ascendant will feature 156 of the best players in the pipeline to the PGA TOUR including the Top 5 college golfer this year and players who were in the Ryder Cup. The purse for winners has also been increased in 2022 from $600,000 to $750,000.

The players are as enthusiastic about the four-year-old tournament as the spectators.

“We have a whole committee that works on player housing in Berthoud, Fort Collins and Longmont. It’s an opportunity for the players to stay at someone’s home instead of in a hotel. That’s why they look forward to coming back. Some of these guys text with the family they ’ ve stayed with before. Some have stayed in the same place for three or four years. It’s pretty incredible, ” Blass says.

Tickets to The Ascendant presented by Blue range from a $12 pass to watch the Tuesday Practice Round or Wednesday Pro-Am and Practice Round to $55 for an All-Week Pass that includes four days of competition. Kids 15 and under get in free with a ticketed adult. Active and retired military also have free access to the event with a valid military ID.Special packages are available that feature access to The Summit Club which features views of holes 1, 15 and 16 with complimentary food and beverage service.

Over the past three years, proceeds from the tournament have benefitted diverse local nonprofit organizations. Among them are Realities for Children, Thompson School District, the United Way of Laramie County, Special Olympics of Northern Colorado and UC Health Northern Colorado Foundation.

John Lehndorff writes for Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine, Boulder Weekly, Peak Magazine and Northern Colorado Life magazine.

AMAZING COURSES. BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. ENDLESSFUN.