3 minute read
Next Gen Golf Returns
The PGA brings future Phil Mickelsons to Loveland’s TPC Colorado
Even if you don’t know tons about golf, you ’ll get swept up in the excitement at the TPC Colorado Championship July 5-11 at Heron Lakes in Berthoud. It’s part of the national Korn Ferry Tour featuring the PGA’s next big stars.
“This event is all about advancement – advancing our professionals to the next level of golf. More than 80 percent of the players on the PGA tour started on the Korn Ferry Tour, ” says Alexandra “Alex ” Baldwin, president of the Korn Ferry PGA Tour.
Alumni of the Korn Ferry Tour have included such notables as Justin Thomas, David Duval, Bubba Watson and Jason Day. Will Zalatoris, winner of last July ’s TPC Colorado Championship, went on to place second at the 2021 Masters Tournament.
“TPC Colorado provides an extraordinary backdrop for the event, a beautiful location to watch these young men compete. We get them in the pipeline for the PGA and we are happy to be playing in Colorado, ” says Baldwin, the first woman to head one of the PGA’s six tours.
Restricted last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s TPC Colorado Championship will welcome spectators –up to 30,000 in all on the course’s 200 acres. Ticket options include the GoodAny-Day Ticket and the All-Week Ticket offering access to the practice round (Tuesday), Pro-Am Tournament (Wednesday), and four days of TPC Colorado Championship competition (ThursdaySunday).
“This event is designed to welcome families with tons of experiences for kids on the course, ” says Drew Blass, Tournament Director for the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes. The Citywide Banks Junior Activity Area offers giveaways, junior golf credentials, giant Legos, coloring sheets and an opportunity to write notes to the tour players.
“In The Birdie Ball area kids get to try out clubs and hit giant inflatable targets including a T-Rex. Older kids and parents have an area for chipping where they can score points and keep score, ” Blass says.
The event’s familyfriendly areas include the
Visit Loveland Cool Zone where attendees can get out of the sun and chill in the water mister is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekend.
Because the thought of trudging to 18 holes in the sun may be less than appealing to some fans, the tournament will feature a shuttle trolley system to convey guests. “It’s nice not to have to walk the whole course, ” he says.
Since 2019 – when the tournament last had spectators – TPC Colorado has added more shaded viewing areas and decks where it is easy to view the action.
Some ticket packages include a range of food and beverage choices. At the top end are tickets to the expansive new clubhouse which opened last year but will finally be used fully in 2021. With its 15,000-squarefeet patio overlooking five holes of golf, it’s the most comfortable spot to watch as 156 players vie for a $600,000 purse on the 7991yard, par 72 course with panoramic views of the Front Range.
The tournament could not take place without a multitude of golf-loving volunteers on hand to welcome and guide attendees.
“We will have more than 700 volunteers from 14 states, but the Northern Colorado community including Loveland, Longmont, Berthoud and Fort Collins has really stepped up for the majority of volunteers, ” says Drew Blass.
Proceeds from the TPC Colorado Championship at Heron Lakes benefit a rainbow of local groups.
In the tournament’s first two years proceeds have benefitted the Berthoud Community Library, Realities for Children, United Way of Laramie County, PGA/ USGA Girls Golf, UC Health Foundation and others.
“We are thrilled to be part of the community and the tournament benefits many organizations in Northern Colorado, ” says Alex Baldwin of the Korn Ferry PGA Tour.
INFORMATION
July 5-11
TPC Colorado, 2375 TPC Parkway, Berthoud 970-663-5063
273 Welch Ave., Berthoud,CO 970-532-9905
Facebook.com/sidetrackedbar/
SPECIALS!
MONDAY: Family Night | $5 Calzones Kids Eat Free TUESDAY: Tacos 2 for $3.99 (Dine in only.) House Margaritas $2.50 WEDNESDAY: Whiskey Wednesday. $1 off all whiskey at 6pm. THURSDAY: Karaoke 8pm-?
