‘Tis the season for giving. And even though we’re in the offseason for golf here in Colorado, don’t make the mistake of thinking, “out of sight, out of mind” regarding our favorite sport.
Golfers are always in need of something, and we’re here to provide. So in the spirit of the season, it’s time to make public our annual holiday gift list for Colorado golfers.
To: Westminster resident Jennifer Kupcho.
Gift: Spots on the U.S. Curtis Cup and Arnold Palmer Cup teams in 2018, along with another run at the women’s NCAA individual title.
To: TPC Colorado.
Gift: Success to match the anticipation leading up to your opening in Berthoud in 2018.
To: The Broadmoor.
Gift: A 2018 U.S. Senior Open to rival the historical impact of the 1959 U.S. Amateur (winner: Jack Nicklaus), 1982 U.S. Women’s Amateur (winner: Juli Inkster) and 1995 U.S. Women’s Open (Annika Sorenstam) you hosted.
To: The CGA and CWGA.
Gift: A successful — and seamless — unification that pays dividends for male and female members across the state.
To: Part-time Colorado resident Kevin Stadler.
Gift: A return to the PGA Tour after battling hand problems for the last three years.
To: Dustin Jensen, the soon-departing managing director of operations for the CGA.
Gift: Happiness and peace of mind in relocating back to North Dakota, knowing you have positively impacted many in the Colorado golf community.
To: Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado.
Gift: Knowledge that imitation around the country is the sincerest form of flattery.
To: Regulars at Denver’s City Park Golf Course.
Gift: That the end product when the course re-opens in 2019 after a redesign is worth the wait.
To: Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Brandt Jobe.
Gift: A U.S. Senior Open victory in your old home state, at The Broadmoor, in 2018.
To: Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy.
Gift: That similar programs will continue to take root around the state, nation and beyond.
To: Davis Bryant, the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado’s 2017 male Player of the Year.
Gift: Advancing to the final four after qualifying for your third U.S. Junior Amateur in 2018.
To: Hiwan Golf Club.
Gift: That the Colorado squad will notch its second team title ever at the Girls Junior America’s Cup, when the club hosts the festivities in July.
To: Former Colorado resident Wyndham Clark.
Gift: Earning a PGA Tour card through your performance on the Web.com circuit in 2018.
To: CU Evans Scholars.
Gift: True appreciation for the opportunity you’ve been given, and that the words “life-changing” when describing the full tuition and housing scholarship for caddies aren’t just trite modifiers.
To: Colorado-based college golf programs.
Gift: Multiple berths in the national championship finals in 2018.
To: Part-time Boulder resident and two-time CoBank Colorado Open champion Jonathan Kaye.
Gift: A Web.com Tour win to go along with your two PGA Tour victories.
To: Kaden Ford of Colorado Springs.
Gift: Making a serious run at the age-group title on TV at the Drive Chip & Putt finals at Augusta National on the eve of the Masters.
To: Colorado PGA Golf in Schools Program.
Gift: That the program’s efforts will eventually pay big-time dividends in growing the game in the state.
To: World Golf Hall of Famer Hale Irwin.
Gift: Continuing to build an enduring legacy in Colorado — and beyond — through things like the Hale Irwin Elite Player Program and the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior.
To: Colorado golf volunteers.
Gift: The satisfaction of knowing the countless hours of work you devote keep the game vibrant in our state.
To: Denver native Mark Hubbard.
Gift: A return to the PGA Tour in 2018-19 after a three-year run on that circuit ended in August.
To: Colorado PGA professionals and local golf course superintendents.
Gift: Appreciation from golfers for the enjoyment you add to the game through your work.
To: Colorado-based First Tee programs.
Gift: Another stellar lineup of tour players for Colorado-based exhibitions in 2018 to provide inspiration for young golfers in the state.
To: Hailey Schalk, the Junior Golf Alliance’s female Player of the Year in 2017.
Gift: A run at the title in the 2018 Girls Junior America’s Cup at Hiwan Golf Club.
To: All in the Colorado golf community.
Gift: Happy holidays and a great year of golf ahead.
