may 2012

SalutesAmerica’s Heroesat Colorado Golf Club

Golf. Life. Style.

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Golf’s DaVinci CodeInside the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame

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In eleven years, we’ve raised nearly $2 million in scholarship funds to help children of Colorado workers seriously injured or killed on the job.

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InsideContents

56America’s First LieutenantCalled this generation’s Bob Hope, actor Gary Sinise comes to Colorado Golf Club for two days of music and golf to honor and help soldiers, veterans, first respond-ers and their families. By Jon Rizzi

602012 Charity Golf EventsA comprehensive calendar of more than six dozen tournaments that make a difference.

68The Cooperstown of Colorado GolfWelcoming its 40th class of inductees, the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame looks to stimulate more interest, rev-erence and support for the state’s rich and ongoing golf history. By Jon Rizzi

FeaturesIn every Issue

9 Forethoughts The Purpose-Driven Round. By Jon Rizzi

10 ’Net Score Why Facebook matters.

17 Gallery Girl Power Golf, Ed Kelbel, Dennis Lyon, CU’s wom-en’s team and more.

72 The Games of Golf Military golf? Yes sir!

Player’s Corner29 Home Course

The Heritage at Westmoor. 30 Lesson

Deciphering golf’s DaVinci Code. By Doug Wherry

32 Gear Belly putter fitting. By Brian Gott

34 15th Club Players A and B. By Denise McGuire & Elena King

36 Play Away Pronghorn in Oregon. By Jon Rizzi

40 Play Away Mesquite’s Eureka Resort and Wolf Creek. By Ted Johnson

43 Gimmes Mother’s Day gift ideas.

Sidebets49 Fareways

Fort Collins’ restaurant scene. By Lori Midson

52 Nice Drives Subaru Impreza and Volk-wagen Passat. By Isaac Bouchard

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May 2012 Volume 11, Number 2

p u b l i s h e r

Allen J. Walters

e d i t o r Jon Rizzi

a r t d i r e c t o r

Jeremy Cantalamessa

e d i t o r - a t - l a r g e Tom Ferrell

d i n i n g e d i t o r

Lori Midson

a u t o m o t i v e e d i t o r

Isaac Bouchard

c o n t r i b u t o r s

Sam Adams, Andy Bigford, Tony Dear, Lynn DeBruin, Sue Drinker,

Dick Durrance II, Chris Duthie, Amy Freeland, Lois Friedland, Barbara Hey,

David R. Holland, Ted Johnson, Kaye W. Kessler, Jake Kubié, Todd Langley,

Kim D. McHugh, Emily Ritt, Bob Russo, Jerry Walters,

Gil Whiteley, Neil Wolkodoff

s e n i o r a c c o u n t m a n a g e r

John Cullen

d i g i t a l m a n a g e r / a c c o u n t m a n a g e r

Jim Plank

o f f i c e a n d o p e r a t i o n s m a n a g e r

Cindy P. Nold

p r o j e c t s a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s m a n a g e r

Vanessa Van Horn

e d i t o r i a l i n t e r n

Morgan Cutter

p r i n c i pa l s

Ray L. Baker, C. Don Baker, Dick B. Baker

Advertising inquiries: [email protected]

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Colorado Avidgolfer (issn 1548-4335) is published nine times a year by baker-Colorado

publishing, llC, and printed by American Web, inc. volume 11, number two. 7200 s. Alton

Way #b-180, Centennial, Co 80112. Colorado AvidGolfer is available at more than 250 loca-

tions, or you may order your personal subscription by calling 720-493-1729. subscriptions

are available at the rate of $17.95 per year. Copyright © 2012 by baker-Colorado publishing,

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The Purpose-Driven Round

The great thing about golf is you don’t have to play well to do good. I’m not quoting Yogi Berra here. I’m talking about teeing off and scrambling, shambling and buying mulligans in the name of charity. At these events, benevolence trumps performance. Be-

sides, isn’t stroking a putt less painful than stroking a check?For the eighth consecutive year, Colorado AvidGolfer spot-

lights the people, tournaments and charities that use golf as a way to fund medical research, feed families, provide scholar-ships, improve lives and do good works in myriad other ways.

As far as I can tell, golf’s philanthropic connection began during the First World War, when the United States Golf As-sociation joined forces with the Red Cross to sponsor charity matches, with proceeds assisting those who had been injured or displaced by the fighting. Professionals like Walter Hagen and Tom McNamara, and amateurs such as Bobby Jones, Alexa Stirling and Jerry Travers barnstormed the country to raise money for the troops. In 1918 the legendary Chick Evans traveled more than 26,000 miles, participating in exhibitions that raised $250,000. One of those—a July 4 match pitting him and Jim Barnes against Warren Wood and Jock Hutchinson—took place on the brand-new Donald Ross course at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

The Broadmoor will be one of the scores of courses to host more than 70 charity golf tournaments this year (see page 60). One of those events involves our cover subject, actor Gary Sinise, who in the spirit of those early barnstormers–and of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, who played golf and performed in Colorado Springs and Denver during World War II—is stag-ing an event May 20th and 21st at Colorado Golf Club in Parker to benefit his eponymous foundation, which “is dedicated to serving the Nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.”

The event kicks off Sunday night with a concert at the club by Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band—so named for his career-defining role in Forrest Gump. Golf follows the next day, with Sinise not playing but mingling with all the participants. Through the Gary Sinise Foundation, more than two-dozen military-related charities will benefit from the concert and golf event.

Whatever your connection to the military, to a life-threat-ening disease, or to social issues like poverty, homelessness or the future health and education of American boys and girls, golf provides a vehicle to support it. So get out there and drive one. After all, to paraphrase what Yogi said about funerals: “You should always go to other people’s tournaments; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.” —JON RIZZI

Forethoughts

TAKE TWO

D O N ’ T M I S SYO U R S H OT. B O O K

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theGallery

A s the daughter of Lee Hall, the longtime director of the Pikes Peak Junior Golf Program in Colo-rado Springs, Erin Diegel says she was “born into golf.” Yet playing competitively proved

frustrating. She had to join Wasson High School’s boys’ golf team because a girls’ team didn’t exist; nor was there one at the Uni-versity of Colorado—which she attended as an Evans Scholar—un-til 1995, her senior year. After graduating, she helped coach at CU, got married, started a family and became a PGA Teaching Professional at GolfTEC. But, she says, “Girls’ golf in general is still frustrating. The level of competition isn’t there. Where’s the exposure at an early age, so they can have more fun? You have no idea how many collegiate girls’ golf scholarships go unused.”

So, in 2010, Diegel started Girl Power Golf. The program, which she conducts at Arvada’s Indian Tree Golf Course, runs June through August for girls between the ages of 7 and 17. For an all-inclusive $245, students learn fundamentals from female PGA and LPGA pros; participate in weekly, hour-long clinics; receive three 30-minute private lessons at GolfTEC-Golden; and have monthly 9-hole play dates. An additional $80 allows “acad-emy level” participation in up to 21 summer tournaments. Diegel would like to see some of her charges eventually claim those unused scholarships. But her goal, she says, is to elevate the participation and skill level of as many girls as possible through an environment where they can socialize, play and learn while growing the game of golf. [email protected]

You Go, Girls!

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POWERING UP: Diegel (center) and 14 of her students gather at Indian Tree in Arvada.

ColoradoAvidGol fer.com18 Colorado AvidGolfer | May 2012

theGallery

Loss of aLeader

The Colorado golf community received shocking news March 28, when Ed Kelbel, the PGA Director of the Professional Golf Management Program at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, died unexpect-edly at the age of 52. The brother of Broad-moor PGA Head Golf Professional Mark Kelbel, Ed grew up in Michigan, where he won the state high school championship and played for the Michigan State Univer-sity golf team. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Occupational Education from

Ferris State University, he rose through the PGA ranks at clubs in his home state before moving to Colorado in 2006 to become as-sistant director of the PGM program, which is part of UCCS’s College of Business and Administration. He became its director two years later.

Under his leadership, the UCCS PGM students achieved a 99 percent pass rate, by far the highest among the 20 programs in the nation. “Ed’s love for the game of golf, the business of golf and the future of golf ex-pressed itself wonderfully in our students,” says the program’s acting director, Mollie Sutherland, whom College of Business Dean Venkat Reddy appointed to the position for the remainder of the semester.

“Ed was the first person I met at UCCS, and he treated me like I was the most im-portant person in the world,” says sopho-more Ryan Adams, who describes Kelbel’s reaction upon hearing Adams was the only student who had passed his Playing Ability Test—one of many prerequisites to becom-ing a PGA Professional—during a brutally windy day. “I was on the putting green, and I hear, ‘Ryan passed yesterday? Ryan, get over here and give big old Ed a hug!’ That

loving, caring, father-like Ed wasn’t afraid of the consequences of shouting on a putting green. One of his students had just a life-changing moment, and he wanted everyone to know.”

“He gave personal attention to every stu-dent in this program,” echoes Sutherland. “He wanted to see them excel as people.”

That is, in much the same way as he had. Kelbel is survived by his wife Rosemary, son Ted, daughter-in-law Katie, and daughter Tricia. They have established a scholarship fund for students enrolled in the UCCS PGM Program. cufund.org/KelbelMemorial

RecoveryShot

Just days before Christmas, Colorado Golf Hall of Famer Dennis Lyon sustained life-threatening injuries to his spine, head, legs, pelvis, arms and clavicle when a truck struck him while he was walking his dog, Putter. After nearly two months in three hospitals and numerous surgeries, the for-mer president of the National Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and 37-year manager of golf for the City of Aurora is rehabbing and recovering at home. To help the Lyon family with medical expenses and other costs associated

MENTOR: Kelbel ran a top-notch PGM program.

LYON’S PRIDE: Dennis is mending.

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theGallerywith his recovery, fellow Colorado Golf Asso-ciation board members Ed Mate, Gail Godbey and Bill Jewell decided to turn “The Tradition”—an informal tournament they’d played with Lyon annually since 2004—into a 8:30 a.m. shot-gun fundraiser on July 16 at Meadow Hills Golf Course. Why “The Tradition”? All participants wear “traditional” attire—knickers, ties, etc. for men, and long skirts for women—and play in a traditional Chapman format (two players, modi-fied alternate shot). “The turn-of-the-century attire is optional,” says Mate. “The purpose of the day is Dennis.” The entire $75 per player fee is donated. Email [email protected] for more information.

Kelly’s HeroesAt press time, the University of Colorado

women’s golf team was on the cusp of unchart-ed territory—a top-10 spot on the Golfweek/Sa-garin national college rankings. On the strength of back-to-back tournament wins at the Clover Cup in Scottsdale and the Anuenue Spring Break Challenge in Maui, as of April 8 the Buffs found themselves ranked 11th, just a hairsbreadth be-hind No. 10 University of Georgia. “It has been a process to get here over the past couple years,”

says Anne Kelly, who has coached the team for the last 15 years. “We have worked hard and everything is now starting to come together for us.” Seniors Jessica Wallace and Emily Talley, sophomore Alex Stewart and sophomore twin sisters Jenny and Kristin Coleman have delivered consistently solid performances en route to setting team records. Although four of the 10 teams ranked higher than Colorado are also in the Pac-12, coach Kelly’s team headed into the Conference Championships (April 27-29) at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman, Wash. with a confidence they should carry into the NCAA West Regional, held May 10-12 at Erie’s Colorado National Golf Club. cubuffs.com

RAREFIED AIR: The University of Colorado Women’s golf team is ascending to new heights.

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Clarity fromCastle Pines

An April Gallery item intimated some in-trigue regarding Merchandiser Kelly Misura-ca’s move from The Country Club at Castle Pines to Castle Pines Golf Club. Not so, says Castle Pines Golf Club PGA Head Profes-sional Don Hurter: “Sharie Racine, our mer-chandiser since 1997, and one of the most highly respected and well-liked merchandis-ers in the entire golf industry, headed to Cali-fornia, where her husband, Joe, was hired as the Locker Room Manager for Sonoma Golf Club. A measure of her success certainly lies in the fact that the Castle Pines Golf Shop has been named to Golf World’s 100 Best Golf Shops-Private category every year since she became merchandiser. Kelly was hired through a national search and was by far the best candidate I interviewed. It is great for the golf industry in Colorado that we have highly qualified individuals in the business right in our own backyard!”

theGallery

Gregorian Reform

For more than 40 years, Greg Mastriona has overseen Westminster’s entire Hyland Hills Park and Recre-ation District, establishing an excep-tionally high standard for the Blue, Gold and two par-three layouts com-prising The Courses at Hyland Hills. On March 6, the district’s Board of Directors immortalized that standard by unanimously approving the renam-ing of the Sheridan Boulevard com-plex after him: The Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills. “Greg is an exemplary leader and respon-sible for the success of the entire Dis-trict,” Hyland Board President Roger Gudenkauf says. Board Vice President Don Ciancio added, “This is well de-served, Greg has been an inspiration to all of us.” Mastriona’s reaction? “I am humbled.”

HYLANDER: Mastriona has the honors.


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A Red RocksSalute

Last October, Morrison’s Red Rocks Country Club hosted a Military Apprecia-tion Day, wherein more than 60 Colora-dans who had recently served in Iraq, Af-ghanistan and other locations joined club members and sponsors U.S. Bank and PGA Tour Superstore for a day of golf and ca-maraderie. This March, at its annual spring conference in Westminster, the National Guard Association of Colorado (NGACO)

theGallery

showed its gratitude by singling out the club as an organization that “distinguishes itself in the support of the Soldiers and Airmen of the Colorado National Guard and/or their Families.” Red Rocks General Manager Mark Condon couldn’t be more pleased. “We made the conscious decision to not isolate ourselves and become clois-tered behind our gates,” he says. “Becom-ing known as a good citizen and partner is a win-win situation and has contrib-uted greatly to the increased awareness and success of our club. We are proud to support the military in our community.” redrockscountryclub.org

Golf by Numbers71percent of 2011 victories on the PGA Tour

were by Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) clients. Colorado has only one Level Three (TPI) Titleist Performance Institute Certi-fied Golf Fitness Instructor—Dee Tidwell, whose Championship Golf Fitness studio recently opened in Greenwood Village. A certified Golf Bio-mechanic who has worked with PGA Tour winners Joe Durant and Arron Oberholser, Tidwell has teamed with noted sports psychologist Dr. Bill Campbell to harmonize body and mind. The pair’s knowledge and expertise quickly translates into permanent change and suc-cess for clients of every skill level. championshipgolffitness.com; 303-883-0435.

OLD GLORIES: For tending the flags last fall, Red Rocks earned its stripes this spring.


Top of the LeaderboardA first-rate academy, championship-level playing conditions and cutting-edge technology separate Green Valley Ranch Golf Club from the pack.

Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, a golfer’s oasis just 20 minutes from downtown Denver or the Denver Tech Center, has embraced smart phone technology

with as much vigor as Bubba Watson did with his caddy after the recent Master’s tournament victory.

By downloading an app for the iPhone or Droid from the course web site—gvrgolf.com—you can post your score, order lunch at the turn, measure yardage, create a tournament and scoreboard with friends, book your next tee time and post everything to your Fa-cebook page. There’s also a QR code you can scan with your cell phone’s camera that will take you directly to the application store.

“We’re leading that charge,” said Matt Dribnak, GVR director of sales and marketing, about the high tech innovation.

Green Valley Ranch, which opened in July 2001, prides itself on being “a public course with the feel of a private club.” “I love the fact that once you get here, you don’t pay extra for practice balls, you’re greeted by a great golf staff and you have a really nice experience whether you’re playing in a tournament or individu-ally,” said Kevin Laura, CEO of The First Tee of GVR/HealthONE Colorado Opens. “It’s all about the value we provide our custom-ers,” Dribnak added.

That value includes brand new golf carts equipped with GPS that were purchased this year. Prices for a round of 18 holes with cart and range balls run as low as $41 per player.

GVR also has established an impressive golf academy in an in-door-outdoor facility that operates year round. Private lessons with a PGA certified instructor are $65 an hour. The roster of teaching PGA and LPGA pros includes Charlie Soule, Stefanie Ferguson, Mark Sturtz, Carlo Alaqua and former University of Colorado standout Kane Webber.

As a public-private course, Green Valley Ranch offers 12 annual membership options starting at $1,000 for adults and $500 for players younger than 19 years old.

So what about the course? It’s a challenging, yet walkable, 18-hole experience that takes players through varied terrain. Hole number 13, the short par 3, has been nearly surrounded by water, which is new this year.

For the ninth year, the club will host the three Colorado Open tournaments: the women’s May 30 to June 1, the men’s July 26 to 29, and seniors Aug. 29 to 31. “As the proud home of the HealthONE Colorado Open, the course conditions are always spectacular and players are always experiencing tournament quality conditions,” Laura said.

If your game is not up to the 18-hole challenge or you want to improve your short game, there’s the par-3 course that’s a mere $10 for adults and $6 for juniors 18 and under. “The par-3 course is an amenity that’s unique to all but a few public courses in the metro area,” Dribnak said.

Green Valley Ranch Golf Club • 4900 Himalaya Road, Denver • (303) 371-3131 • gvrgolf.com

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G F E A T U R E


theGallery

4.6is the handicap index of new Broncos

quarterback Peyton Manning, according to Golf Digest. That’s 5.3 better than brother Eli, but four strokes off the 0.7 carried by his new boss, John Elway, who reportedly enticed his new signal-caller with prospec-tive memberships at Cherry Hills Country Club and Castle Pines Golf Club.

40 Milliongolfers by 2020. That’s the ambitious,

multicultural and multigenerational goal of the PGA of America’s Golf 2.0 pro-gram. Locally, a “Golf Colorado” market-ing campaign will kick off on two television stations, two websites, a live interview show and various social network sites. The first initiative, Get Golf Ready, promotes pro-

grams at 28 courses across the state where beginners learn everything they need to play golf in just five days for $99. PGA and LPGA Professionals will show the many ways to play by combining fun, friends and fitness. Visit playgolfamerica.com/ggr for the nearest facility.

4properties now comprise the Colorado

portfolio of Escalante Golf, which in January took over management operations of the private Cornerstone Club near Montrose. Escalante, which owns and op-erates The Raven at Three Peaks in Sil-verthorne and Pine Creek Golf Club in Colorado Springs, also manages Fort Lup-ton’s Coyote Creek Golf Course. The Texas-based company owns and/or oper-ates 14 clubs across the country—but none in the Lone Star State.

$70 Millionis what TaylorMade-adidas paid for

Adams Golf, which last year bought Den-ver-based Yes! Golf out of bankruptcy for $1.65 million.

Get in the Gallery! Email [email protected] or post to our Facebook page.

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DON’T FENCE THEM IN: U.S. Open hopefuls will have more course to conquer in Westminster.

player’sCornerCOURSES | LESSONS | GEAR

O n May 14, for the third consecutive year, Westmin-ster’s The Heritage at Westmoor will stage one of three local qualifying rounds for the U.S. Open. But the last two medalists, Ben Portie and Derek Tolan,

and the rest of this year’s field will compete over 101 more yards than they did last year. The expansion to 7,535 yards resulted from a recom-mendation by designer Bill Kerman of Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Design, the team that laid out the prairie-style championship course in 1999. Kerman suggested adding extra tees to lengthen the course and allow for some different looks on at least five holes.

Twenty-five yards were added to the par-4 5th, bringing it to 476 yards; the par-4 9th went from 390 yards to 423, with its new tee shared with that of the 434-yard second, which has the same yard-age but a very different-looking tee shot. On the last two holes, 19 more yards brings the par-3 17th yardage to 249, while the 18th now clocks in at 590 yards, 24 more than before. The changes should make a tough course even tougher for those vying eventually to compete in the open San Francisco’s Olympic Club in June. And, if

the USGA consents, the new length could prove dramatic when The Heritage hosts its first USGA United States Senior Open Sectional Qualifier June 25.

The Heritage is no stranger to high-level competition. It hosted the Senior Colorado Open Championship in 2000, 2001 and 2003, as well as countless Colorado Golf Association and Colorado Wom-en’s Golf Association events. Long before it became a golf course, it was, after all, the Cretaceous stomping grounds of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops, the three-horned herbivore whose fossils were found during course construction and whose likeness emblazons the club’s logo (“although many think it’s a cow,” jokes PGA Head Pro-fessional Brian Carlson.)

You’ll know better, of course. Not only about the dinosaur but also about playing from the new tips. Even from the black tees, Westmoor extends nearly 7,000 beautiful yards with nary a home on the prop-erty. Part of the Audubon International Signature Status Program, the course brims with owls, eagles, coyotes, deer and other fauna. At $40 a round for a Golf Passport holder, that’s a lot of course for the money. 10555 Westmoor Drive, Westminster. golfwestminster.com; 303-469-2974.

101 Extra YardsAt age 13, The Heritage at Westmoor has a growth spurt.

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The Da Vinci CodeDeciphering the secret to better putting. By Doug Wherry

Da Vinci called simplicity the ultimate sophistication. When it comes to golf mechanics, I could not agree more. Take, for ex-ample, the ability to keep the putter on a consistent path. It’s really quite simple—if you understand how your body works and what muscles are needed.

Hold a weighted object to your side with your left hand and stand straight with your arm very relaxed. Swing your arm directly away from your side. The muscle you’re us-ing, the main head of the deltoid, is designed to move your arm back and forth—the same motion as a proper putting stroke.

You need to let the main head of the deltoid lead and allow all other muscles to respond, not interfere. Hunch forward so the upper left arm stays in the same position as it was when you were standing erect, making sure to relax your upper arm. Without moving your upper arm from its hanging position, allow your elbow to bend so your palm faces the sky. Hold the weighted object in your palm and swing your upper arms like you did when they were at your sides. Notice how smooth and steady and uniform the path is.


ColoradoAvidGol fer.com

Doug Wherry, PGA, is the founder of Jake’s Golf Academy in Englewood (303-548-9159; jakesgolfacademy.com). For more lessons and tips visit coloradoavidgolfer.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Drop the object and hold the putter with your right hand. Hunch again. Let the putter find your left palm and focus on moving your upper arm back and forth. If there is no interference from other muscles the putter will follow the upper arm in a beautiful path. Simple. ag


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Gott Golf, located at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Academy, utilizes the latest in science and technology to build precise custom-fit golf clubs. Professional services include launch monitor fittings, club optimization, precise putter fittings, and a full service repair shop. Gott represents most major manufacturers and has access to some Tour product. gottgolf.com; 303-345-5442


player’sCornerGear

Gut CheckThe only way to stomach a belly putter is to get it fit for one.

6 Based on the analysis from the ball-rolling software, Gott adjusts the loft and lie on the bending unit to maximize performance. To take the fitting process one step further, Gott can optimize the putter with internal shaft weighting

to produce a more steady and consistent putting stroke. ag

1Since people’s bellies come in all different sizes and shapes, the anchor point varies from person to person. Club-fitter Brian Gott must first determine

the proper length for the putter.

2 Gott determines the proper length by find-ing the golfer’s most

comfortable anchor point while maintaining good pos-ture, square shoulder align-ment and positioning the eyes directly over the golf ball. Ball position should be slightly for-ward. The guides on the mirror reflect this alignment.

3In most cases, gripping a belly putter is the same as gripping a convention-al putter. It’s important that the shaft

becomes like an extension of the left forearm to help maintain a square face at impact.

Call it a trend or a craze, but more PGA Tour players—including PGA Champion Keegan Bradley—are rolling with the long-shafted flatstick that once drew snickers. Compared to traditional putters, belly putters promote a more consistent setup, less putter-head manipulation and increased consistency on shorter putts. But getting fit for one is the key to making it work properly.

4 The putter is then cut to the proper length and gripped.

5 Now it’s time to roll a few balls. Using ball-rolling software that measures sidespin, launch angle and the distance be-fore forward roll, Gott determines the correct loft and lie

adjustments the putter might need. Loft is very important because it determines how fast the golf ball begins to roll forward versus skidding or jumping. A ball that rolls sooner will help with distance control and ultimately lead to more consistent putting.

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It’s the first day of the men’s league and Fred is feeling good after a great warm-up and is ready to play with his buddies. As he walks to the tee, he starts to feel nervous

and thinks to himself, “I hope I don’t em-barrass myself. I have no idea what I’m going to shoot today.” His heart is racing, his breath becomes shallow and his prac-tice swing gets quick. His last thought before he swings is, “Don’t hit it right”. Guess what? He hits it dead right and out of bounds. Completely embarrassed he says, ‘Let me hit another one just for fun.” Knowing that this mulligan is not going to count, he relaxes and with no pressure, he rips it right down the middle.

What is the difference between his first and second shot? It’s the same person and the same shot. Many golfers tell us that it’s because they didn’t “care” as much on their second attempt and they just let it go. There may be some truth to that thought but if you didn’t care about making good shots you probably wouldn’t be out there playing golf in the first place. It’s pretty hard to tell ourselves not to care about how we perform. Naturally, we want to do our best and shoot good scores. What is more likely the case is that Fred took away most of the mean-ing and significance from the second shot so that his body was free to make a more natural and relaxed swing.

Fred was worried about embarrassing himself and this created fear and self-doubt, causing his body to tense and tempo to quicken. Ironi-cally, Fred created the very condition or situation that he feared the most and hit the ball out of bounds.

When we attach meaning to a shot, we essentially tell our-

selves that our self-worth is on the line. “If I make this putt I’ll look good and others will be impressed too.” Or, “If I miss this shot, that means I’m a loser and others will think I’m a loser too.” Our self-talk is the source of pressure in these situations and interferes our ability to be fully present to the shot at hand.

Most likely, you too, have noticed that you are superb with a mul-ligan. This phenomenon is commonly referred to in golf as the person behind you or Player B. Player A is often like Fred, filled with fear and self-doubt. Most of us would rather be that confident, relaxed person, Player B, who makes every putt or stripes it right down the middle on his/her first shot. What would it take for Player A to be more like Player B?

Player a – Interference = Player B By learning to notice how your mind creates interference and hav-

ing the ability to re-direct your mind to be focused and clear for the shot at hand is what allows golfers to play their best or more like Player B. ag

• Becomeawareofyourself-talk.Noticewhatgoesthroughyour headwhenyouprepareforashot.Writedownwhatyounotice.• Consideryourplayingpartnersaremoreconcernedabout whattheyaredoingthanwhatyouaredoing.• Takeafewdeepbreathsasyouapproachyourballand throughoutyourpre-shotroutinetoreleasemuscletension.

• Checkyourgrippressure,tempoinyourpre-shotroutine.• Playaroundwithoutmeaning,scoreorconsequence.• Duringpracticesessionssimulatecourselikesituationsor practicelikeyouplay.• Becuriousaboutyourbeliefs.Doyoubelieveyou’reagooddriver?If not,it’snotlikelyyouwilldrivetheballwell,especiallyunder“pressure.”

Performance Coach Dr. Denise McGuire (303-902-5008; [email protected]) and Elena King, LPGA Director of Instruction, ExperienceGolf at CommonGround Learning Center (303-503-0330; [email protected]) partner to deliver unique learning experiences that increase awareness of the mental and technical aspects of the game for optimal performance. commongroundgc.com

Hey, Mulligan Man! How to make Player A more like Player B.

By Elena King and Denise McGuire

Player A Player B

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player’sCornerPlay Away

LUCKY THIRTEENTH: Nicklaus’ 378-yard cape hole at Pronghorn.

On the Sunny Side of the StateCentral Oregon’s two courses at Pronghorn could make you abandon thoughts of the coast. By Jon Rizzi

Mention Oregon to any golf-er, and “Bandon Dunes” will come up quicker than a bad lunch. I’m not dissing the top-ranked golf resort

in North America. But Bandon’s purist ethos, coastal location and unremittingly successful expansion have synonymized it with golf in the Beaver State. This has ironically and unjustly left the sundrenched 24-course mecca of Bend in its shadow.

A three-and-a-half-hour drive—or a 40-min-ute flight—over the Cascades from Portland,

Bend ranks as Central Oregon’s largest city. Coloradans will recognize the area’s 300-days-of-sunshine, high-desert climate, but at an altitude about 2,000 feet lower than that of the Front Range. Mountain and road biking, climbing, running, hiking, kayaking, fly-fish-ing—no outdoor pursuit goes unpursued here. With Mount Bachelor an hour away, this in-cludes awesome skiing and snowboarding.

And with a 640-acre property like Prong-horn Club and Resort tucked into a 1,000-year-old juniper forest 10 minutes from downtown Bend, this also includes world-class golf.

Pronghorn’s two flawlessly maintained cours-es—designed, respectively, by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Fazio—ribbon verdantly over sage-gilded high desert, hug lakes featuring ma-jestic trumpeter swans, ford rushing streams, and embrace the presence of blanched “ghost trees” and outcroppings.

Pronghorn’s members—many of whom own property in one of development’s three subdivisions (Estates, Villas or Tesana)—get exclusive access to the Fazio Course, al-though accompanied guests can play after 2 p.m. Resort guests primarily undertake the Nicklaus Course. Play both if you can.

After a morning lesson with Mike Palen at Pronghorn’s PGA Tour Academy, I teed up at the Nicklaus Course with former PGA Tour player Don Shirey, a Troon Golf execu-tive whose first-tee adjustment of my grip re-sulted in a delightfully shank-free negotiation of a course that tips out at 7,379 yards with a 151/76.2 slope/rating. The challenges one usually expects from Jack reveal themselves in the form of chasms of sand along fairways

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A CAVE NEW WORLD: The Fazio’s par-3 8th sits atop a petrified lava tube.

and around greens guarded by knobs and outcroppings. The back nine abounds with False fronts and risk-reward holes, such as the uphill par-five 15th, which climaxes with unobstructed views of the volcanic Three Sisters.

The volcanic quality of the mildly gentler (7,447 yards 75.8/148) but more dramatic Fazio course comes on the 187-yard eighth hole, easily among the most memorable par-3s you’ll ever play. A lava rock amphitheater surrounds a green that perches on a 25-foot high wall created by a petrified lava tube ac-cidentally discovered during the dynamiting process. The tube forms two caves that ex-tend more than a half-mile—or so the disem-bodied voice of General Manager Spencer Schaub says before we exit the pitch-black darkness.

Post-round on the patio at Pronghorn’s Cascada Grill, you can drink in the setting sun as it bathes the Sisters’ flanks in hues similar to those of the salmon that tops my salad of greens, dried cranberries, blue cheese and almonds. I can only hope few glasses of locally produced Beaux Frères pinot noir can counteract the arterial impact of the superbly

gooey Mac and Cheese made with Tillamook smoked ched-dar, grilled chicken and apple-wood smoked bacon.

Cascada occupies a tasteful portion of Pronghorn’s club-house, a 55,000-square-foot celebration of timber, slate, iron and stone that houses full locker rooms, a spa, fit-ness center, the more formal Chanterelle Restau-rant and boundless meeting space and hallways filled with exquisite art. Across a roundabout sits the rustically appointed Trailhead building—a family-focused activity center with a huge out-door pool and restaurant serving hearty break-fasts to fuel fly-fishing expeditions on the Lower Deschutes, Mackenzie or Crooked River. Prong-horn’s concierge will arrange trips with Deep Canyon Outfitters for any duration and any level of angler. A walk-in on the Crooked with guide Mike Divita yielded nine rainbow trout for this novice.

The concierge will also arrange travel into Bend—home to restaurants like Zydeco and Blacksmith and pubs like Deschutes Brewery’s Bond Street Public House—and back, where luxe accommodations at one of Pronghorn’s 24 fully

furnished, fractionally-owned Residence Club townhomes await. Located along the Nicklaus course’s 18th fairway, townhome rentals run between $500 and $1,000 a night, depending on the number of bedrooms.

Other courses in Bend include Crosswa-ter, at Sunriver Resort, and Tetherow, de-signed by Bandon Dunes architect David McLay Kidd, who so fell in love with Bend, he moved his entire U.S. operation there.

Watching the clouds kiss the distant Cas-cades from a Residence patio, the scent of juniper, sage and pine perfuming the air, I can’t say I blame him one bit. ag

Jon Rizzi is CAG’s editor. For more informa-tion, visit pronghornclub.com

player’sCorner


player’sCornerPlay Away

Hungry for the Wolf Mesquite’s legendary course beckons—as does one of its best resorts.By Ted Johnson

“Basin and range” describes most of the western U.S., and we see it in the abrupt changes in el-evation in many parts of Colorado, Utah and Nevada. It is sort of a rudimentary term but pon-dering topographical definitions comes up often

in Mesquite, Nevada. At Wolf Creek Golf Club, itself basin and range in small scale, each

ascension on the cart path, seemingly each turn around a ledge, of-fers astonishing views of ridge and horizon, bleached rock face and lush turf.

The teeing grounds—50 to 100 feet above fairway—are promon-tories for expansive vistas of the Mormon Mountains to the north or the Virgin Mountains to the south (seems a thematic connection, that), and one ends up not thinking about birdie so much as “how did they do it?”

“They” being the first settlers of the West, and what they did was transport themselves and anything of worth over demanding, un-friendly territory. It makes Wolf Creek’s toughest par-4s seem much

less a challenge in comparison.Since Wolf Creek opened in 2000, this course designed by Den-

nis and John Rider served as the main propellant of Mesquite’s rise among the country’s best golf destinations. Wolf Creek can be found on all kinds of “best” lists and to its credit leaves a lasting memory.

The Riders laid out Wolf Creek to maximize its terrain, filling up small canyons and washes with deeply verdant turf. The contrast of peroxide scrub and lush grass gives each hole an obvious definition: course or desert, a starkness resonating danger within those amazing views.

The beauty and the danger create bittersweet juxtaposition—an-other term that comes up in Mesquite—that might be best ruminated over prime rib at the course’s Terrace Grill or at the remodeled Greg-ory’s Mesquite Grill in the Eureka Casino and Hotel.

Eighty miles down I-15, the world’s largest gambling hub beckons with bright lights, 24-hour action and congestion (not to mention the 30-minute waits in the check-in line). And it likes to promote itself as a “golf destination.”

Please. Let what happens there stay there. With Wolf Creek lead-ing the way, the golf in Mesquite is miles better. Within minutes of anywhere, you’ll find CasaBlanca, Conestoga, Falcon Ridge, Palms and the two courses at The Oasis. The dining and gaming options aren’t as deep as they are in Vegas (Mesquite’s population is 15,000), but Eureka provides an experience that’s compelling, comfortable and consistent.

Moreover, when you check out, you’ll feel like a winner. That prime rib at the Terrace costs $26, not the $56 it costs in Las Vegas, and the room charge at Eureka ran, after taxes and such, closer to $50 than to $500. When it comes to making a choice, there isn’t much deep thinking needed. ag

Ted Johnson is a California-based contributor. For more information: eurekamesquite.com/golf/wolf-creek; 800-346-4611

HOWLING FUN: The pyrotechnical Eureka and Wolf Creek.

Relax in luxurious accommodations for two this summer at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and then take in 18 holes of golf each at the Beaver Creek Golf Club.Rates starting at:

$343 per night May 11 - June 14, 2012$570 per night June 15 - September 15, 2012

For reservation information, please visit our website at www.parkhyattbeavercreek.com or call 1-970-827-6636Refer to code: PLAY12

Offer valid 5/11/12 to 10/7/12 at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort & Spa. Opening and Closing dates are weather permitting. Reservations are subject to availability and must be made at least 7 days in advance. Tee times must be set up in advance by contacting our Concierge at 1-970-827-6610. Package includes lodging for two, 2 rounds of golf including cart per person. Rate shown is based upon double occupancy, per room, per night, for standard room accommodations. Additional charges apply to room-type up-grades. Additional guests may be subject to additional hotel charges. Guest is responsible for all charges not included in package. No refunds for any unused portion of package. Promotional blackout periods may apply due to seasonal periods or special events, and normal arrival/departure restrictions apply. Hyatt reserves the right to alter or withdraw this program at any time without notice. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts® encompasses hotels managed, franchised or leased by subsidiaries and affiliates of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The trademarks Hyatt®, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt Summerfield Suites®, Hyatt Gold Passport®, and relatedmarks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2012 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.

PLAY & STAY with usand watch your drives soar record distance.

ColoradoAvidGol fer.com May 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer 43

player’sCornerGear

Make Mom’s Day Put her in the swing with gift ideas at every price point.

*Unless otherwise indicated, all items are available at PGA Tour Superstore

Lime for a ChangeA 19th-hole margarita is no longer the only place to see lime on the golf course. The citrusy-colored women’s AMP (Advanced Material Placement) driver features E9 Face and Adjustable Flight Technology to deliver blistering ball speeds and customized performance. $300.

Kaleidoscope EyesTail’s zippered sleeveless polo in light lime kaleido-scope patterns matches perfectly with the shorts of the same color. $65

Short Sell Cool is the rule with Tail Activewear’s lime-green, pintucked shorts made from light-weight, twist-woven synthetic fiber. The 21-inch outseam conforms to any club’s dress code. $60.

Buckle Up for StylePuma’s striking gingham-check leather belt with an antique silver enamel-filled buckle also comes in pink. $50.

Sass Your MomJust because Sassy Golf “is so not your mother’s golf league,” there’s nothing preventing moms from getting in on the fun, friendship, and convivial weekly nine-hole golf outings at courses around the Denver Metro area. A year-long mem-bership is $249, but use the promo code AvidMD and get $50 off during the month of May. sassygolf.net.

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www.dewintergolfenterprises.com

Photo courtesy of Marriott's Grande Pines Golf Club

Photo courtesy of Marriott's Grande Pines Golf Club

August, 2012 thru December, 2012Five Night / Four Day All Inclusive Program

“The Rankings”Private Club Teams

Team Classic Invitational Series

“Competition Creating Scholarships”

College Alumni Challenge SeriesAlamo Plaza

player’sCorner

Mama’s Got a Brand New Bag“Women want to look good out there,” says 32-year-old Emily Haythorn, a golf pro who tapped into her abiding interest in fashion and launched Sassy Caddy, a line of stand ($245), cart ($269) and travel ($219) bags that currently come in 10 vibrantly diverse designs and a coordinating detachable cosmetic purse. The bags also boast a velvet-lined compart-ment for jewelry as well as an elastic pocket for a cell phone and keys. Sassy Caddy also makes distinctive fitness/overnight, messenger, and tennis racquet bags. sassycaddy.com;970-302-3361.

The Speed of WhiteThanks to lightweight shaft and grip, as well as a “Speed Pocket” in its sole, TaylorMade’s Women’s RocketBallz Fairway Woods speed up your swing and promote explosive ball contact. The white head eliminates glare and provides confidence and accuracy at address with amazing alignment support. The 15-degree 3-wood also comes in a 17-degree High Loft version. There are 5-, 7-, and 9- wood versions as well. $230.

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Colorful and comfortable, Nike’s Lunar Summer Lite Women’s Golf Shoe combines ventilation

and durability in a nearly seamless construc-tion, delivering a plush, cushioned feel

through 18 holes. Best of all, the Nike Power Platform optimizes stability and

power with every swing. $80.

Black BeautyGolf’s version of the little black dress, this Jamie Sa-dock 18-inch Skort stretches for unimpeded movement, features plenty of pockets mixes and, most conveniently, matches easily into any golf wardrobe. $110.

Aye, CalypsoThis vibrant, lightweight DKNY Golf calypso-striped shirt, made with moisture-wicking synthetic “crinkle” fabric, transitions seamlessly from the course to the clubhouse. $89.

Half-handed ComplementFashionable and functional, the Lady Classic Animal Print Half Glove (available in brown or pink leopard and black cheetah) provides skin protection and allows you to get a tan on your glove hand while keeping it cool and firmly gripped on the club. $8.

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In Charm’s WayWhy use a coin as a ball marker, when a crystal ladybug, butterfly or martini glass will do the trick? California’s Bella Crystal (bella-crystal.com) uses Swarovski crystal elements to create more than 300 distinctive styles, as well as the magnetic clip to affix to your hat. $20.

Two Pops Per Hole Whether Mom’s playing golf or watching it, a little popcorn goes a long way. Rocky Mountain Popcorn Company’s eight flavors (including white cheddar, jalapeño and naked) are air-popped and free of “old maids.” The packages fit tidily in golf bags. Available at King Soopers or rockymountainpopcorn.com.

Sweet FinishTwo years ago, on a dare from her PGA Professional hus-band, Kelly Wherry tried to sell the toffee she’d made “forever” for friends and family. Her first order? Six-hun-dred pounds of traditional buttery English Toffee for a local company. She hasn’t looked back, creating more than a dozen toffees ranging from Michigan Tart Cherry, Espresso Bean and Island Coconut to the more exotic Cracked Pepper Pistachio, Chai Tea and Ghost Chili Ginger. A half-pound is $10; a full pound, $20. It makes a great gift for mom—and dad. [email protected]; 303-548-9259. ag

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100 years of education...The CGA and CWGA provide avenues to the life-lessons golf teaches, and we

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Keeping the game you love the game you love.

For a century, the not-for-profit CGA and CWGA have existed solely to preserve, improve and share this great game with everyone in the state. This is just one of the many ways that, with the support of over 60,000 members, we are keeping the game you love the game you love. Learn more and get involved at www.COgolf.org.

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sideBets

Northern BitesOvernight, it seems, Fort Collins has become a welcome bastion of exotic dining. By Lori MidsonCafé de Bangkok

Silken pillows line the banquettes and the clank and spank of cleav-ers can be overheard in the humming kitchen of this stellar Thai joint whose nuanced menu goes above and beyond the omnipresent panang curry. On the weekends, Café de Bangkok fills up with sprawling groups of families, college co-eds and clusters of couples, all digging their chopsticks and spoons into steaming bowls of noodles, rice dishes and Northern-style curries that stretch as far as the Burmese-influenced red curried soup perfumed with lime, chiles, shallots and pickled mus-tard greens. It’s a phenomenal flavor-bombed dish that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else. Nor is it often that you happen upon a restau-rant that hauls out fresh coconuts, their shells split on top to reveal the clear, pure drinking liquid that floats within. Stick a straw in it and slurp with gusto; everyone else does. 1232 W. Elizabeth St., 970-672-8127; cafedebangkok.net.

FOOD | CARS

BOWLED OVER: Café de Bangkok’s noodle dishes and curries pack powerful flavors.


sideBetsFareways

Maza KabobFor nearly 17 years, Sayed Sayied slung hot dogs from a cart on

the corner of 17th and Market streets in downtown Denver—but he didn’t just hustle wieners. Sayied also nourished the corporate lunch crowd with bolani, a potato-stuffed flatbread that’s a popular street food in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was born and raised. Early last year, Sayied finally parked the cart to open Maza Ka-bob, an Afghani restaurant hospitably run by him and family members who quell the hunger pains with well-prepared plates of grilled chicken and beef kabobs paired with a creamy yogurt dip, fluffy basmati rice, gently-spiced potatoes and a tart cucum-ber, onion and tomato salad. There’s no liquor license, and the bright space isn’t a polished palace, but the food is fresh and deli-cious, the prices cheap. Take down a sampler plate of kabobs and get your hot dog fix elsewhere. 2427 S. College Ave., Unit B-1, 970-484-6292; mazakabob.com.

Nyala Ethiopian CuisineEthiopian restaurants, like Thai joints, are more or less mirror im-

ages of each other. The majority of them spit out the same carbon copy dishes as their counterparts, serving them communally on huge metal spheres splayed with injera, the spongy, floppy, sharply tart bread that’s used in place of cutlery to pinch the mounds of exotic, complex dishes of stewed or braised meats and vegetables. At Nyala, a colorful collegiate hangout with standard tables and cer-emonious low tables, the soulful menu, which draws on local, or-ganic ingredients, doesn’t stray far from the standards, but nothing here tastes remotely pedestrian—certainly not the ubiquitous doro wot perfumed with cardamom and freighted with chicken or the beef tibs, washed with bold spices, long-cooked onions, garlic and the punch of hot chiles. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve wished I could cook this way at home, I’d be richer than Tiger Woods. 2900 Harvard St., Unit A, 970-223-6734; nyalafc.com

Old Town Spice ShopIf you’re a cookbook collector, enthralled by flipping through

the pages of Indian tomes, French feasts, Mexican primers, or dessert bibles, then it’s likely you already know the cooking basics, but what truly makes food come to life are the spices that creep into your curries, cassoulets, caldrons of sopa and soufflés. And whether you’re a vindaloo vixen, sugar worshiper or salt troll, you’ll likely want to spend the majority of your afternoon perusing the shelves of this lovely spice station, a modern, beautifully organized sea of aromatics that span the world. Here, you’ll find ghost pep-per salt and habanero sugar, chickweed and dill weed, epazote

and pumpkin powder, herbs de Provence and honey pow-der, most of which are available in small quantities—and you can sample just about all of it before the splurge. 220 Linden St., 970-493-7206; oldtownspiceshop.com.

Course Cuisinethe Den, fox hollow Golf courseThere are no plaid-clad golfers, no crusty curmudgeons and no

rubbery chicken breasts at The Den, the clubhouse restaurant at Fox Hollow Golf Course, where members (of the general public who may or may not swing a club) can congregate at the bar for pre- or post-play liquids, on the wraparound patio or at a table near the stone fireplace. The food doesn’t come anywhere close to an ambitious Michelin-dining adventure—the views overlooking the greens are the real draw – but the culinary syllabus goes way beyond bratwursts and burgers, proving that the kitchen isn’t sunk in a sand-box. Good bets include the Mexican dishes, most notably anything with pork carnitas, a house specialty, or one of the globally-inspired sandwiches, like the Cubano, a heap of stacked ham, carnitas, Swiss, coleslaw, pickles and a swish of mustard on grilled rye. And the menu is cleverly separated into golf-inspired slogans like “The Tee Box,” “The Fairway,” “Sandwedges,” “The Greens,” “Off the Grill” and “Before Play”—the last of which is an ode to breakfast. 13410 Morrison Rd., Lakewood; 303-989-9990. ag

Read more of Dining Editor Lori Midson’s reviews at coloradoavidgolfer.com and Westword.com. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter.

KABUL GOBBLE: Maza’s kabobs, rice and potatoes are Afghani specialties.

Download_8-375x10-875.indd 1 4/20/2012 9:32:09 AM


sideBetsNice Drives

Racy and ReliableThe Subaru Impreza and the VW Passat deliver on all counts. By Isaac Bouchard

2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport PremiumPrice as tested: $21,414

When Subaru overhauled the Outback for 2010, sales soared. The company is hoping an equally thorough redo of the Impreza will have the same effect. Outside it is now a much more at-tractive proposition, with a better stance, pro-

portions, and in the case of the five-door, a beefier vibe. Inside, too, things are unquestionably better. Materials have improved in quality and there is more room. The seats feel plusher, though they lack lat-eral support—you sit more on them than in them.

The standard tech offered in the Impreza isn’t keeping up with competitors, though. While you can hook up an iPod via USB, the “premium” radio’s display doesn’t allow easy navigation of said de-vice. Nor are there features like the backup camera and smart key that the competitors have made available.

It still drives like a Subaru, though, with lots of suspension travel resulting in a good ride, yet sharper handling. Steering and brake feel and precision are both decent, too. Perhaps the biggest change is that Subaru has downsized the engine in the continuing quest for better economy. Gone is the long-serving 170hp, 2.5-liter, “boxer”

four cylinder. In its place is an all-new 2-liter with 148 horses and 36lb-ft less torque. Though this latest Impreza weigh about 100 few-er pounds, there is a performance shortfall of about a second in the 0-60 run and especially in passing, as this engine doesn’t have the midrange muscle that its predecessor offered.

It does, however, generate excellent EPA numbers of 25/33 with the 5-speed manual, and get high 20s in the real world—quite re-markable for an all wheel drive vehicle. There are two transmissions offered. The automatic is of the continuously variable type, which makes a difference at the pumps, with even better 27/36 ratings, though its “rubber band” like feel can be off-putting. The manual is little better, with a mushy, imprecise feel to its action and the clutch travel.

That probably wont matter much, as most people buy the auto, and will appreciate the way it sips less at the pumps. And since the Impreza is better in most every other way, while continuing to serve up the tough and practical character for which Subaru is famous, there’s no reason not to expect the company’s recent record sales growth to slow.

2012 VW Passat TDIPrice as tested: $32,195

Cruising along the bitumen, I marvel at the new VW Passat’s sim-ply cavernous interior and sumptuous ride quality. This thing simply

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STILL TOUGH: Subaru’s new Impreza.


glides over the kind of road blemishes that not only blight the entire Metro area, but that also seem to be the undoing of many so-called “luxury” cars. The Volkswagen’s seats are wide and comfy, and the door’s cushy armrest is almost too far away for someone my size. The back seat and trunk are vast acreages that can be connected by dropping the seats, and the overall quality is first-rate. The real kicker, though, is that the Passat’s trip computer is reading an astonishing 48mpg.

While the readout may be a tad optimistic, this diesel-powered version of VW’s first wholly American car (designed and built in the good ol’ U.S. of A.) is rated at 30 city and 40 highway, and it will go 700-800 miles on a tank, depending on the transmission that is coupled to its state of the art, 1.9-liter turbodiesel engine. While its horsepower is comparatively weak at 140, its 236lb-ft of torque, pro-duced at a low 1500rpm, make it feel quick, and the slick twin-clutch 6-speed DSG automatic means you never worry about bumping into low RPM ceiling a diesel such as this has. Luddites can spec the manual, which ups highway mpg to 43.

Volkswagen got considerable flak in the media for separating the Euro and US versions of this car in a push to triple sales on this side of the pond, but it’s hard to argue with the result. Quality (unlike in the Jetta) appears not to have taken a hit, the size suits our needs better, it still looks German—if generically so—and it still can hustle down a twisty slice of tarmac, with great steering feel, commendable composure, and even a dash of verve.

The Passat TDI also makes a great case as an alternative to the

hybrids our government wants us all in, with a much larger trunk (no batteries eating up space) and unrivalled high-altitude performance. The only knocks in contrast to those are that it is slower than a Camry Hybrid, and looks lackluster next to the upcoming Ford Fu-sion hybrid. Minor demerits are given to a radio volume control that lags behind your inputs, no backup camera, and a relatively obvious amount of road noise.

As a package, though, the Passat TDI is very hard to argue against; such commodious and luxurious accommodations, and stellar economy, spiced with Germanic seasoning, makes for a very tasty confection. ag

CAG Automotive Editor Isaac Bouchard is also the author of the defini-tive book on how to save time, money and hassle on buying a car. Get it at CarBuyingTipsGuide.com. Read more of his reviews at Nicedrivz.com and ColoradoAvidgolfer.com.

sideBets

TANK GOODNESS: VW’s fuel-sipping Passat.


Called this generation’s Bob Hope, actor

Gary Sinise comes to COLORADO GOLF

CLUB for two days of music and golf to

honor and help soldiers, veterans,

first responders and their families.

by Jon Rizzi | portrait by Blake Little/Getty Images

America’s First

Lieutena nt

Called this generation’s Bob Hope, actor

Gary Sinise comes to COLORADO GOLF

CLUB for two days of music and golf to

honor and help soldiers, veterans,

first responders and their families.

America’s First

Lieutena nt



Call it GSI: CoLorAdo.“GARY SINISE INVITATIONAL” MIGHT NOT BE THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THE “CSI: NY” STAR’S MAY 21 CHARITY TOURNA-MENT AT COLORADO GOLF CLUB. BUT THE POPULARITY OF THE ACTOR AND HIS HIT TELEVISION SHOW MAkES SUCH WORDPLAY IRRESISTIBLE …

By any name, the event—formally known as “The Gary Sinise Foundation-Serving Honor and Need Tournament”—will prove difficult to resist. Not only does the event afford a rare opportu-nity to take on the ultra-private host course of the 2010 Senior PGA Championship and 2013 Solheim Cup. Not only does rais-ing money to support our troops, veterans, first responders and their families inspire a sense of patriotic duty. And not only does the chance to meet one of America’s foremost actors rarely pres-ent itself—especially not in Parker, Colorado.

It’s all that. But the most compelling aspect to the event is to experience firsthand the 57-year-old Sinise’s dedication and commitment to being “a citizen of action” who helps in any way he can the people who serve our country.

The passion behind Sinise’s devotion can’t be contained in a Monday golf tournament, which is why an exclusive concert will take place the day before. At 3 p.m on Sunday, May 20, Sinise’s Lieutenant Dan Band will rock Colorado Golf Club with high-energy covers of music spanning The Who, Stevie Wonder and Jimi Hendrix to Beyoncé, Evanescence, Lonestar and the Zac Brown Band. Participants in the golf tournament (at $500 per person) also get a ticket to the show. Tickets to just the con-cert cost $100 apiece.

Those in attendance will get a taste of the morale boost hun-dreds of USO audiences and veterans groups all over the world have gotten since 2004. Sinise, an accomplished bassist, named the band after Lieutenant Dan Taylor, the Forrest Gump role for which he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Sup-porting Actor. As he traveled the world, he would be recognized more often as “Lieutenant Dan” than as Gary Sinise. Those in the military also identified strongly with the character.

A native of Highland Park, Ill., Sinise himself identifies heav-ily with the military. Numerous family members, including his father, uncles, two brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law and a nephew have served or are serving. As co-founder and artistic director of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company, he staged plays writ-ten by Vietnam veterans. He got involved with Disabled Ameri-can Veterans during and after Forrest Gump, and threw himself into what he called “a new level of service” after the September 11, 2001 attacks, offering moral support, shaking hands, signing autographs, taking pictures, visiting the wounded and entertain-ing the military both stateside and abroad.

Started in 2010, The Gary Sinise Foundation already has 24 military-related beneficiaries, as well as Operation International Children, an organization the actor co-founded in 2004 with

author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit: An American Legend) to help children in war-stricken countries and support American troops in their efforts to assist them.

It’s no coincidence, then, that Detective Mac Taylor, Sinise’s character on “CSI: NY,” is a former Marine with a strong sense of duty whose wife died in the World Trade Center attacks.

Indirectly, “CSI: NY” is what brought Sinise to Colorado. Three years ago, during a gathering of the American Academy of Foren-sic Scientists, Robert K. Toth, president of IRIS Fire Investigations in Englewood, won a silent-auction trip to New York to meet the show’s cast. He and his aspiring-actress daughter, Veronica, became friendly with Ben Robin, Sinise’s makeup artist, and then with Sinise himself. “Being around him for a while completely blew away our perception of what Hollywood actor types were like,” says Toth. “He’s such a humble person.”

An enthusiastic golfer, Toth was looking to have a client-appre-ciation tournament that would benefit a local charity. “But Ronnie (Veronica) had grander ideas. ‘We ought to call Gary’s foundation,’ she said. We quickly entered into a co-venture agreement with them, and then we found out Colorado Golf Club’s board had opened it up to nonprofits in 2012.” After discovering the Lieutenant Dan Band would be performing May 17 at Pueblo’s Center for American Values and at Fort Carson two days later, the Toths scheduled the golf event May 21, with a concert the night before.

Sinise will be playing bass, but not golf. Some nagging aches from a recent auto accident will keep him from teeing it up. He will, however, meet and greet players and show his gratitude for their support of his foundation. Sinise’s handicap now hovers around

20, roughly the same number of years he’s been playing. His wife, Moira, got him started around the same time he commenced shoot-ing on Forrest Gump, and he soon became a regular playing partner with co-star Mykelti Williamson (“Bubba Blue”). The two traveled to Turnberry, where Sinise first broke 100 on the Ailsa course. He’s since broken 90 and played in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. But his day jobs—acting in movies and a hit television show, touring with his band, running his foundation and spending time with Moira and their three children—prevent him from getting in much more than an occasional round.

But there’s no question that when it comes to giving strokes to the men and women who defend our country, the man whose tire-less dedication has drawn comparisons to the immortal Bob Hope has some serious game. ag

Jon Rizzi is Colorado Avid Golfer’s editor. For more information, visit garysinisefoundation.org or call 303-840-4705.

ACE OF BASS: Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band performed 38 benefit concerts last year.

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It’s Here! 2012 Fan Golf Tour

A place for all and all the game teaches.

ACE OF BASS: Sinise’s Lt. Dan Band performed 38 benefit concerts last year.


2012CharityGolf EventsA comprehensive calendar of events that make a difference.

May 142012 Hope CHallenge Colorado Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: Boys Hope Girls Hope of ColoradoContact: Leslie Pera, 720-524-2061; [email protected]; bhgh.org

May 16 JaCk a. ViCkers inVitational Hosted by JoHn elwayCastle Pines Golf Club, Castle PinesBeneficiary: Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro DenverContact: Kevin Laura, 303-807-3356; [email protected]; bgcmd.org

May 17CHipping in for CaUseBuffalo Run Golf Course, Commerce CityBeneficiary: Concerned Attendants for United Support Efforts Contact: Heidi Wengel, 219-808-5940; [email protected]; thecausefoundation.org

May 18 HigHer groUnd benefit golf toUrnaMent Legacy Ridge Golf Course, WestminsterBeneficiary: Higher Ground Youth ChallengeContact: Stan Meade, 303-817-7777; [email protected] higherroundyc.org

Help HGYC help the at-risk, inner-city teens of Denver by realizing its mission of providing “a safe environ-ment for them to challenge themselves and their limit-ing beliefs through mentoring and outdoor experiences.” Higher Ground achieves this through weeklong outdoor experiential summer camps and a year-round mentoring program. The 12th Annual tournament will feature chances to win prizes such as $25,000, a golf trip to Hawaii, Ireland or The Masters.

May 19 denVer CHildren’s HoMe 17tH annUal golf toUrnaMentLakewood Country Club, LakewoodBeneficiary: Denver Children’s HomeContact: Lindsay Leuthold, 720-881-3366; [email protected];denverchildrenshome.org

May 21 brooMfield rotary poliCe and fire toUrnaMentBroadlands Golf Course, BroomfieldBeneficiary: Broomfield Police Officers and Fire Fighters and their families in cases of injury or death in the line of duty.Contact: John Beirise, 303-653-5315; [email protected]; broomfieldrotary.org

May 21 gary sinise foUndation—serVing Honor and needThe Colorado Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: Gary Sinise FoundationContact: Robert Toth, 303-840-4705; [email protected]; garysinisefoundation.org

May 21 Colorado golf fUndraising toUrnaMent presented by Citywide bankCommonGround Golf Course, AuroraBeneficiary: Colorado Junior Golf FoundationContact: Erin Bessey Gangloff, [email protected]; 303-366-4653; cogolf.org

May 22 CHsbUa Hall of faMe banqUet and golf toUrnaMentGreen Valley Ranch Golf Club, DenverBeneficiary: Colorado High School Baseball Umpire AssociationContact: Chris Eckert, 303-947-4796; [email protected]; chsbua.com

May 30 Usa paralyMpiCs Sanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: ParalympicsContact: Barbara Butler, 719-866-2067; [email protected]; usparalympics.org

May 30 - JUn 1HealtHone Colorado woMen’s open pro-aMGreen Valley Ranch Golf Club, DenverBeneficiary: The First Tee of Green Valley RanchContact: Kevin Laura, 303-807-3356; [email protected]; coloradoopen.com

JUne 2byrne Urban sCHolars golf fiestaWellshire Golf Course, DenverBeneficiary: Byrne Urban ScholarsContact: Judy Carpenter, 303-526-0080; [email protected]; byrneurbanscholars.org

JUne 4 Casa of tHe Continental diVide CHarity golf toUrnaMent Red Sky Ranch and Golf Club, WolcottBeneficiary: CASA of the Continental Divide Contact: Kathy Reed, 970-513-9390; [email protected]; mtncasa.org

JUne 4 MUlligans for MUttsColumbine Country Club, LittletonBeneficiary: Foothills Animal ShelterContact: Caitlyn Ray, 720-407-5226; [email protected];mulligansformutts.orgPresented by Sanjel, the 7th annual tournament will feature morn-ing and afternoon golf flights with lunch and a happy hour, plus visits by adoptable dogs and other fun contests. Foothills Animal Shelter relies heavily on private contributions to operate and pro-vide much-needed animal welfare services. This tournament helps give every animal in its care the best chance at a second shot!

JUne 7proJeCt C.U.r.e.& newMont Mining golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Project C.U.R.E.Contact: Bethany Casler, 720-490-4022; [email protected]; projectcure.org

JUne 83rd annUal eastern star MasoniC retireMent CoMMUnity golf toUrnaMentPark Hill Golf Club, DenverBeneficiary: Eastern Star Masonic Retirement CommunityContact: Pati Sawyer Boex: [email protected]; 303-753-2160; esmrc.com

JUne 8-97tH annUal Us bank Corporate CUpRed Sky Golf Club, WolcottBeneficiary: PGA Golf in Schools ProgramVanessa Van Horn, [email protected]; 720-493-1729; coloradoavidgolfer.com/golf-event/2012-us-bank-corporate-cup.aspx

Presented by Vail Resorts and Colorado AvidGolfer, this invitation-only event combines two days of competitive golf at Red Sky Golf Club, a Grey Goose Après-Golf and Dinner Party on Friday evening, prestigious lodging in the Vail Val-ley, a guest luncheon on Friday, a Kick-off Party at Elway’s Downtown Denver and a unique opportunity to compete against and network with CEOs,senior-level executives and business owners from Colorado’s top companies.


May 2012 |Colorado AvidGolfer 61

JUne 11MiCHael & Cora betts golf toUrnaMentDeer Creek Golf Club, LittletonBeneficiary: Judi’s HouseContact: Mike Betts, 303-829-4336; [email protected]; bettslegacy.org

JUne 11 7tH annUal Hope inVitational and ladies Hope inVitationalColorado Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: American Cancer SocietyContact: Jane Barnes, 720-524-5446; [email protected]; cancer.orgDenver Nuggets Coach George Karl (center, with Oak-wood Homes president Pat Hamill and First Western Trust Bank volunteer Josh Wilson) will return as Honorary Chair at this tournament benefiting American Cancer Society activities in the Denver metro area. These include the Hope Mountain Camp in Breckenridge, the only camp in Colorado for siblings of cancer patients. The Ladies’ Hope Invitational—a ladies-only event with a clinic and 9-hole tournament—will take place on CGC’s short course. Palazzo Verdi/Madden Art Gallery in Greenwood Village will host a dinner and auction the evening before.

JUne 11 JiMMie HeUga MeMorial golf toUrnaMentColorado National Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: Can Do Multiple SclerosisContact: Maren Cerimele, 970-926-1292; [email protected] mscando.org

JUne 11 Colorado golf Hall of faMe fUndraising eVentValley Country Club, CentennialBeneficiary: Colorado Golf Hall of FameContact: Patrick Salva, 303-996-1597; [email protected]; cogolf.org/index.php?mod=HallOfFame

JUne 11parker task forCe 4tH annUal golf toUrnaMent

Spring Valley Golf Club, ElizabethBeneficiary: Parker Task Force Food BankContact: Steve Budnack, 303-814-1932; [email protected]; parkertaskforce.org

JUne 11 firstbank golf toUrnaMent benefitting speCial olyMpiCs ColoradoPinehurst Country Club, DenverBeneficiary: Special Olympics ColoradoContact: Julie Martinez, 303-592-1361; [email protected]; specialolympicsco.org

For the 28th consecutive year, golfers can join in helping Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) strengthen families, athletes and the very soul of our community through sports training and athletic competitions. Special Olympics Colorado provides year-round sports training and hosts over 80 competitions at the area and state level in 20 sports for more than 11,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities around the state.

JUne 13sw denVer kiwanis golf toUrnaMentFoothills Golf Course, DenverBeneficiary: SW Denver Kiwanis FoundationContact: Danny Bradley, 303-232-4562; [email protected]; rmdkiwanis.com

JUne 14 energy Corporation of aMeriCa foresigHt golf ClassiCSanctuary, Sedalia, SedaliaBeneficiary: Anchor Center for Blind ChildrenContact: Savannah West, 303-377-9732; [email protected]; anchorcenter.org JUne 14 UniVersity Hills rotary golf & banqUet Inverness Golf Club, EnglewoodBeneficiary: Numerous local charities, international proj-ects and the Brent Hobson Fund for youth Scholarships.Contact: Douglas Dixon, 303-773-1041; [email protected]; universityhillsrotary.org

JUne 14 energy Corp. of aMeriCa foresigHt golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Anchor Center for Blind ChildrenContact: Savannah West, 303-377-9732; [email protected]; anchorcenter.org

JUne 15-16Colorado Celebrity ClassiC to benefit t.a.p.s.The Golf Club at Bear Dance, LarkspurBeneficiary: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.)Contact: Lynn Cottrell, 303-696-0450; [email protected]; taps.org

JUne 15 UniVersity of denVer red Vest golf toUrnaMentGreen Valley Ranch Golf Club, DenverBeneficiary: University of Denver Division of Athletics and RecreationContact: Paul Pogge, 303-871-7893; [email protected]; du.edu

JUne 15 tHe MaCkenzie graCe foUnda-tion tee it Up CHarity golf toUrnaMentEisenhower Golf Club, Colorado SpringsBeneficiary: The MacKenzie Grace FoundationContact: Bill Parcells, 720-480-4372;[email protected] or [email protected]

JUne 15 iHMe faMily golf toUrnaMentHighlands Ranch Golf Club, Highlands RanchBeneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Center for Can-cer and Blood DisordersContact: Jacqueline Owens Lindley, 720-777-1712; [email protected] childrenscoloradofoundation.org

JUne 18 fligHt for life Colorado golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Flight For Life ColoradoContact: Gretchen Guerra, 303-629-2282; [email protected];stanthonyhealthfoundation.org

JUne 21 adoption exCHange Sanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: The Adoption ExchangeContact: Jacki Propernick, 303-755-4756 x261; [email protected]; adoptex.org

JUne 21MeMorial toUrnaMent CommonGround Golf Course, AuroraBeneficiary: Golf Foundation of ColoradoContact: Gary Leeper, 303-255-9611; [email protected]

JUne 21red kettle toUrnaMentAdam’s Mountain Country Club, EagleBeneficiary: Vail Valley Salvation ArmyContact: Tsu Wolin-Brown, 970-748-0704; [email protected]; salvationarmyvail.org

JUne 22 pikes peak HiCkory ClassiCPatty Jewett Golf Course, Colorado SpringsBeneficiary: George B. Lee Golf Foundation of ColoradoContact: George Lee, 719-661-8926; [email protected]; gblfoundation.com



JUne 25 denVer bronCos alUMni golf toUrnaMentThe Ranch Country Club, WestminsterBeneficiary: Denver Broncos Alumni Charities to help at-risk youthContact: Bethany Andrews, 303-578-0404; [email protected] 18 holes with Hall of Famer Floyd Little, Ring of Fam-ers BillyThompson, Rich “Tombstone” Jackson, Haven Moses and Steve Atwater and other Broncos legends while sup-porting the Police Athletic League (PAL), Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver; the Northglenn-Thornton Rotary Club and the Westminster Rotary Club. A celebrity will play with each foursome in a best-ball scramble format.

JUne 27 bUffs4life Celebrity golf toUrnaMentOmni Interlocken Resort Golf Club, BroomfieldBeneficiary: American Cancer Society, Former CU athletes/coaches in needContact: Lisa Van Goor, 720-891-2926; [email protected]; buffs4life.com

JUne 28 for tHe loVe of oUr troopsSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Military families impacted by deployment in harm’s wayContact: April Speake, 719-434-1407; [email protected]; thehomefrontcares.org

JUly 9 tHe wildlife CUpSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: The Wildlife ExperienceContact: Sheri Powner, 720-488-3389; [email protected]; thewildlifeexperience.org

JUly 11 arrUpe golf inVitational Sanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Arrupe Jesuit High SchoolContact: Laurie Vieira; 303-455-7449; [email protected]; arrupejesuit.com

JUly 12 aiMCo Cares Sanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: The AIMCO Cares Opportunity Scholarship FundContact: Kelly Fallin, 303-901-2462; [email protected]; aimco.com

Hospital ColoradoContact: Lindsey Alexander, 720-777-1759; [email protected];childrenscoloradofoundation.org

JUne 25 JaCkson national life insUranCe sUCCess on tHe green golf ClassiCSanctuary, Sedalia Golf CourseBeneficiary: Junior AchievementContact: Shawna Robbins, 303-260-6286; [email protected]; jacolorado.org

JUne 23adoption options CHarity golf toUrnaMentThe Pinery, ParkerBeneficiary: Adoption OptionsContact: Carol Lawson, 303-695-1601; [email protected]; adoption-options.com

JUne 25 perry park golf toUrnaMentPerry Park Golf Club, LarkspurBeneficiary: Child Health Research at Children’s


JUly 13pHilo aMateUr woMen’s annUal golf toUrnaMentMariana Butte Golf Course, LovelandBeneficiary: Need-based Technical or Vocational ScholarshipsContact: Diane Dynes, 970-663-9096; [email protected]; philoloveland.org

JUly 16 HealtHone CaroUsel ClassiC Colorado Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: Children’s Diabetes FoundationContact: Sally Dunleavy, 303-628-5108 or 303-809-5652; sally@childrensdiabetesfoundation.orgchildrensdiabetesfoundation.org

Annually grossing upwards of $250,000 to support research at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, this top-tier charity event has benefited greatly from the personal con-nection to type 1 diabetes by chairmen Dan Fuller and Michael McDonald, who have enlisted another influential businessman, Todd Scheick of M&N Aviation, to continue selling out the event.

JUly 16 HigH Hopes golf toUrnaMentGlenmoor Country Club, Cherry Hills VillageBeneficiary: Childrens Diabetes FoundationContact: Mike Smith, 719-640-4529; [email protected]; childrensdiabetesfoundation.org

JUly 19 pinnaCol foUndation golf toUrnaMentThe Broadmoor, Colorado SpringsBeneficiary: Scholarships for children of Colorado workers killed or seriously injured in a compensable work-related accident. Contact: Laura Weddingfeld, [email protected]; pinnacol.com/foundation

The Broadmoor’s newly renovated West will host the com-petitive flight of 30 two-person teams, while scramblers will take to the East. All participants will play to ensure Colo-rado’s children are not denied a college degree due to fi-nancial hardship caused by a workplace injury. The Pinnacol Foundation, which provides these scholarships regardless of insurance carrier has raised nearly $2 million and helped more than 200 students since its inception.

JUly 25HealtHone Colorado open pro-aMGreen Valley Ranch Golf ClubThe First Tee of Green Valley RanchKevin Laura, 303-807-3356; [email protected]; thefirstteegreenvalleyranch.org

The morning and afternoon-flighted event kicks off the state Open championship with a fun day full of food, friends and lots of support for the kids in The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch. During play of the pro-am, some of these students will be on course assisting teams for a donation.

JUly 25 starligHt CHildren’s golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, Sedalia Beneficiary: Starlight Children’s FoundationContact: Kiki Pierce, 720-334-8874; [email protected]; starlightchildren.org

JUly 26 tHe trasHMasters Snowmass Club, Snowmass VillageBeneficiary: Roaring Fork Valley Scholarship FundContact: Boone Schweitzer, 970-927-8727; [email protected]; trashmasters.com


JUly 26 adaMs CoUnty CoMMissioners golf toUrnaMent to benefit tHe senior HUb Riverdale Dunes, BrightonBeneficiary: The Senior HubContact: Renee Dees, 303-426-4408; [email protected]; seniorhub.org

JUly 26 2012 Colonel’s CHallenge CHarity golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: The Colorado State Patrol Family FoundationContact: Annette Westphal, 303-549-2145; [email protected]; acspp.net

JUly 28 dale doUglass adUlt ClassiCQuail Dunes Golf Course, Fort MorganBeneficiary: College ScholarshipsContact: Tyler Tarpley, 970-867-5990; [email protected]; cityoffortmorgan.com

JUly 30els for aUtisM golf CHallenge Colorado Golf Club, ParkerBeneficiary: Els for Autism FoundationContact: Mary Kay Willson, [email protected]; 888-736-0008; elsforautism.com

aUgUst 2footHills CoMMerCial bUilders 2012 CHarity golf toUrnaMentThe Inverness Golf Club, EnglewoodBeneficiary: Judi’s HouseContact: Rocky Hollingsworth, 303-755-5711, [email protected]; foothillsbuilders.com/charities/golfIndex

aUgUst 2 Craig Hospital/re/Max, llC inVitational golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Craig HospitalContact: Sue Lynch, 303-789-8578; [email protected]; craighospital.org

aUgUst 4 tee Up for life Antler Creek Golf Club, FalconBeneficiary: American Cancer SocietyContact: Teri Mears, 719-357-6557; [email protected]; teeupforlifecoloradosprings.org

aUgUst 4 fore oUr fatHers golf toUrnaMentArrowhead Golf Club, LittletonBeneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersContact: Jacqueline Owens Lindley, 720-777-1712; [email protected]; foreourfathers.org

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Fast or Slow, This Is How We Roll… By Rusty Oetker, Agronomist, Soil Horizons

Over the past several weeks I’ve had opportunities to meet with several Colorado golf course superintendents and the one topic of discussion that continually came up was green speed. What is an “ideal” green speed and what are golf course superintendents doing to provide it?What is an “ideal” green speed? There is no correct answer for this

question. It is entirely up to the club or superintendent. Based on my discussions the green speeds ranged from 9 to 12 on the Stimpmeter.A Stimpmeter is a 36-inch aluminum bar with a v-shape extending throughout the length

of the bar. There is a hole at the end where the ball is placed. Locate a flat area of the green and then position the ball in the slot. The starting point is marked with a tee. Then raise the bar and then measure the distance from the tee to where the ball stopped roll-ing. Do this three times. All of the balls should not be more than 8 inches apart. Then place 2nd tee at the average distance and then do in the opposite direction. Measure and take the averages.In the spring when temperatures are cooler and growth limited, greens are generally

quicker. But when temperatures warm and growth becomes aggressive, greens will slow down. The same thing happens in the fall when temperatures lower, the greens will pick up speed.Of course this also depends upon how the superintendent manages the greens and

what expectations the players have. Green speeds are often the source of the greatest complaints from golfers. Understanding why greens are “too slow” or “too fast” requires a bit of knowledge. Excess nitrogen fertility and overwatering will cause excessive growth and lessen the

speed. A superintendent must monitor nitrogen and watering very closely to maintain the adequate green speed.Height of cut is a big factor affecting green speed. Generally the lower the height

the faster the green speeds. But this doesn’t come without repercussions. Lower heights induce stress on the plant, which cannot photosynthesize sufficient food. This could po-tentially result in starvation or disease invasion. Low mowing heights in the summer are not recommended. There was a large amount of turf loss in 2010 in the East because of the amount of stress placed on the plant during excessive hot and humid conditions.Other factors affecting green speed include; hollow tine aeration to remove vegeta-

tive material and increase soil oxygen levels, verticutting and topdressing every 10 to 14 days to reduce grain and smooth the putting surfaces, spiking every 2 to 3 weeks to vent the greens and brushing the greens prior to mowing to remove the grain.Another practice that has gained

huge popularity is rolling the greens, which some courses do two to six times per week in conjunction with mowing. Research has shown that rolling does less damage than mow-ing.Health of the turf is critical in deter-

mining the “ideal” green speed for your golf course.For more articles by members of the

Rocky Mountain Golf Course Super-intendents, visit rmgcsa.org.

A D V E R T I S E M E N TaUgUst 6 national JewisH HealtH kUnsberg ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: School for Chronically Ill Children Contact: Michael Meyers, 303-398-1768; [email protected]; nationaljewish.org

aUgUst 8 energy oUtreaCH Colorado golf toUrnaMent Sanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Energy Outreach ColoradoContact: Jennifer Gremmert, 303-226-5052; [email protected]; energyoutreach.org

aUgUst 9 tHe legends golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Volunteers of AmericaContact: Denise Robert, 303-368-5208; [email protected]; voacolorado.org

aUgUst 13 CHildren’s ClassiC at sanCtUarySanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Child Health Research at Children’s HospitalLindsey Alexander, 720-777-1759; [email protected];childrenscoloradofoundation.org aUgUst 13 CarUso faMily CHarities golf toUrnaMentThe Club at Rolling Hills, GoldenBeneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersContact: Jacqueline Owens Lindley, 720-777-1712; [email protected]; carusofamilycharities.net

aUgUst 13 CHildren’s ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: patients and research programs at Children’s Hospital ColoradoContact: Lindsey Alexander, 720-777-1759; [email protected]; thechildrenshospital.org

aUgUst 15 big brotHers big sisters of ColoradoSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Big Brothers Big Sisters of ColoradoContact:Daniel Martinez, 303-800-7268; [email protected]; biglittlecolorado.org

aUgUst 16 Vail Valley MediCal Center 2012 steadMan pHilippon researCHinstitUte golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: orthopedic research and educational pro-grams of the Steadman Philippon Research InstituteContact: John McMurtry, 970-479-5781; [email protected]; sprivail.org


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aUgUst 19-20Haselden ConstrUCtion 65 roses golf ClassiCThe Club at Pradera, ParkerBeneficiary: Cystic Fibrosis FoundationContact: Ellen Penrod, 303-296-6610; [email protected]; cff.org

aUgUst 20 boys & girls ClUbs of aMeriCa CHairMan’s CUp Sanctuary, Sedalia Beneficiary: Boys & Girls ClubsContact: Sarah Rosales, 972-581-2362; [email protected]; bgca.org

aUgUst 20 CaVeo ConsUlting engineers golf toUrnaMentFossil Trace Golf Club, GoldenBeneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersContact: Jacqueline Owens Lindley, 720-777-1712; [email protected]; caveoeng.com/golf/index.html

aUgUst 22 water for people golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Water For PeopleContact: Aaron Carlson, 720-488-4586; [email protected]; waterforpeople.org Impact the lives of millions of people around the world who don’t have access to safe drinking water, irrigation or sanitation at the eighth annual 124-player scramble at Sanctuary. Among last year’s participants was former Gov-ernor Bill Ritter. Proceeds benefit WFP’s locally sustainable initiatives and innovations that are changing the landscape of developing nations.

aUgUst 23 Joe sakiC Celebrity ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Food Bank of the RockiesContact: Kristina Cordova, 303-375-5838; [email protected]; foodbankrockies.org

aUgUst 26 aUstin Jay MeMorial golf toUrnaMentCoyote Creek Golf Course, Fort LuptonBeneficiary: Children’s Hospital Colorado Brain Research and Neurology DepartmentContact: Jennifer Motz, 720-777-1707; [email protected];childrenscoloradofoundation.org

aUgUst 27 fore! oUr kids golf ClassiC, an eVent of noble energySanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Tennyson Center for ChildrenContact: Tera Prim, 720- 855-3316; [email protected]; childabuse.org


aUgUst 29 probUild’s City of Hope golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: City of HopeContact: Carolyn Atkinson, 303-262-8350; [email protected]; cityofhope.org

septeMber 58tH annUal regis JesUit fall ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Regis Jesuit Scholarship FundContact: Bob Reifsnider, 303-269-8040; [email protected]; regisjesuit.com

septeMber 10 8tH annUal Colorado sports Hall of faMe golf ClassiCThe Broadmoor East Golf Club, Colorado SpringsBeneficiaries: Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, Gold Crown Foundation, Open FairwaysContact: Tom Lawrence, 720-258-3536; [email protected]; coloradosports.org

septeMber 10 driVe a sCoUt to CaMp golf ClassiCSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: Boy Scouts of AmericaContact: Anthony Michael, 720-266-2132; [email protected]; denverboyscouts.org

septeMber 12 national sports Center for tHe disabled golf toUrnaMentSanctuary, SedaliaBeneficiary: National Sports Center for the DisabledContact: Ashley Hinkle, 303-293-5315; [email protected]; nscd.org

septeMber 17 golf toUrnaMent to benefit national stroke assoCiationRed Rocks Country Club, MorrisonBeneficiary: National Stroke AssociationContact: Crystal Blaylock, 303-754-0917; [email protected]; stroke.org/cogolf

septeMber 19 don’t fear tHe fingerCountry Club at Castle Pines, Castle RockBeneficiary: The William R. Meyn Foundation Contact: Jessica Broerman, 303.662.0155; [email protected]; pleasesaveanother.org Any discomfort caused by the prospect of a prostate exam pales in comparison to the consequences of an undiag-nosed cancer. Hence the event’s irreverent name, upbeat vibe and colorful Loudmouth Golf apparel. The foundation takes its name from Bill Meyn, who lost his five-year battle to prostate cancer in 2010. Proceeds benefit Prostate Cancer Research and the PSA (Please Save Another) Family Outreach program.


Welcoming its 40th class of inductees, the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame looks to stimulate more interest, reverence and support for the game.

By Jon Rizzi | Photographs by E.J. Carr

ColoradoAvidGol fer.comColoradoAvidGol fer.com

On Sunday, JunE 10,

at ChERRy hillS

CountRy CluB,

thE ColoRado

Golf hall of famE

Will WElComE itS 40th ClaSS of

induCtEES.

It will be a class of two: Tom Babb, the celebrated Head PGA Profes-sional at Inverness Golf Club for 27 years who passed away two years ago; and Gary Potter, an attorney who has made his mark both as a player (in numerous statewide team championships) and administrator (with the Col-orado Golf Association, Colorado Junior Golf Association, Colorado PGA, Trans-Mississippi Golf Association, Pacific Coast Golf Association, USGA, Arizona Golf Association and the Colorado Open).

Both will take their rightful places alongside the other 126 members of a select pantheon that includes “Babes” Lind and Zaharias—both members of the inaugural class of 1973—as well as the other men and women who have made “outstanding contributions to golf in Colorado,” as voted by at least 51 percent of a 35-member board comprised of current Hall of Famers, golf administrators and executives, media members and distinguished supporters of the game.

In the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, you’ll find the colorfully nicknamed “Rip” Arnold, “Tub” Morris, “Spike” Baker, “Potts” Berglund and “Digger” Smith. The hall counts Hale Irwin, Mark Wiebe, Jill McGill, Steve Jones, Paul Runyan and Dow Finsterwald among its nationally renowned mem-bers. The likeness of Jack A. Vickers, the founder of The International at Castle Pines, smiles from behind the glass case. So does that of former Den-ver Post sportswriter Ralph Moore, who, along with colleague Harry Farrar and former Park Hill and Denver Country Club PGA Professional Noble Chalfant, deserves most of the credit for founding the CGHOF in 1973.

But where, exactly, can one find this shrine to Colorado’s golf deities? The Hall’s location stumps even the most avid Colorado golfer. The Golf Club at Bear Dance, whose vestibule serves as the Historical Center for the Colorado Section PGA, is an educated but inaccurate guess. Sports Author-ity Field, which houses the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame and a modest exhibit about golf in Colorado, is also incorrect.


HALL PASS (Opposite): Eight of the CGHOF’s 35 board members (from left) John Gardner II, Jon Rizzi, Jan Ford, Dan Hogan, Gary Potter, Joanie Birkland, Dave Richardson and Keith Schneider.


The Colorado Golf Hall of Fame re-sides in the clubhouse at the Riverdale Golf Courses in Brighton. It moved there in 2003, shortly after the new clubhouse opened. Prior to that, the framed and matted Joe Bar-ros drawings of the inductees moved from Park Hill Golf Course, where until 1984 the annual banquet and tournament took place, to the headquarters of the Colorado Golf Associations and Colorado Section PGA at Lowry Air Force Base.

Moving to a smaller space in the Den-ver Tech Center, the CGA had no room for what one staffer jokingly called “the hall of frames.” So Bob Doyle, then the PGA Head Professional at Riverdale, stepped up to help make space available at the expansive new clubhouse.

The move gave the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame a permanent, attractive home at a publicly accessible venue, and conferred added prestige and status onto one of the state’s foremost daily-fee facilities. “Home of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame” provides a compelling tagline for a golf course’s phone greeting and marketing collateral.

In addition to housing the likenesses of all inductees, the space at Riverdale has also

enabled the CGHOF fulfill its other mission: “to assist in the research necessary to develop and maintain a history of Colorado golf.” On dis-play are myriad plaques and trophies. Ryder Cup golf bags from Hale Irwin, Dow Finsterwald and Dale Douglass stand near vintage photographs and original newspapers heralding Ralph Guldahl’s 1938 U.S. Open victory at Cherry Hills, Arnold Palmer’s miracu-lous comeback at the 1960 event, and other memorabilia.

“We have a closet full of wonder-ful objects that we’d like to display,” says current CGHOF President and 2009 inductee Keith Schneider, point-ing to a locked closet near the glass displays. “We just need the room to display them.” Schneider, who by day serves as general manager at Castle Pines Golf Club, is sitting with fellow Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Board Members Dan Hogan (class of 1998), Joan Birkland (1977), John Gardner (II (1993), Gary Potter (2012), Dave Richardson, Jan Ford and yours truly (also a board member).

The nonprofit Hall of Fame, which raises money through its annual tournament (June 11 at Valley Country Club), already has allocated funds for a new case in which to display the likenesses of future inductees. It also plans to add a touch-screen kiosk so visitors—“and you’d be im-pressed by how many people check out the displays,” says Riverdale Head PGA Professional Steven Bruening—can learn more about the accomplishments of the Hall of Famers.

To generate more awareness of the Hall and the rich history of golf in Colo-rado, the board members are also invest-ed in using technology to create a virtual or digital Hall of Fame that can travel to courses and clubs around the state. “A perfect venue to for this would be events such as this year’s U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills or, more realistically, next year’s Sol-heim Cup at Colorado Golf Club,” says Schneider.

Other ideas include creating themed exhibits at Riverdale, exhibiting some of the artifacts at different clubs or muse-

ums, and developing more interactive expe-riences at Riverdale and elsewhere that will stimulate more interest and support across generations for not only for the Hall but also for the rich and ongoing history of golf in Colorado. ag

CAG Editor Jon Rizzi joined the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Board in 2010.

FIRST UP: Inaugural inductee Babe Lind.

LOOKING AHEAD: CGHOF President Keith Schneider envisions a more interactive experience.

NEXT UP: 2012 inductee Gary Potter

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Getting Into the Hall The 35-member Colorado Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors evaluates nominees for induction—both men and women, amateurs and professionals—on one or more of the following categories of performance:

• Playing ability and record (local, state, national)• Teaching ability and results (professionals only)• Administration and/or working within the game• Promotion and staging

To nominate someone for the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, visit cogolf.org/index.php?mod=Nomination_ProcessPrint out and complete the nomination form and submit it to the address on the form. To be selected for induction, a nominee must receive an affirmative vote of 51 percent of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Additionally, the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame annually names a Golf Person of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.


PUZZLERS | WORD GAMES | TRIVIA

theGamesofGolf

For Par and CountryIn honor of Memorial Day, we salute our military courses.

From the shoals of Alabama to the shores of Atsugi, the United States Armed Forces run more than 150 golf courses across the globe—a number that has shrunk significantly during the past two decades, as many courses have been decommissioned. Some, while still “military,” now welcome paying civilians. Colorado, which once conscripted six courses (at Fitzsimons, Lowry, Peterson, Fort Carson and the U.S. Air Force Academy, which has its two Eisenhower courses), now counts four. Can you identify these current and former military layouts from Colorado and beyond?

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S GAMES OF GOLF:

1. BALLYNEAL 2. IRONBRIDGE 3. RED SKY-FAZIO 4. FOSSIL TRACE 5. ROLLINGSTONE RANCH 6. LAKOTA CANYON 7. YAMPA VALLEY

_____ Fitzsimons Golf Course, Aurora

_____ Eisenhower Blue Course (USAFA) Colorado Springs

_____ Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course (Ft. Carson),

Colorado Springs

_____Silver Spruce Golf Course (Peterson AFB), CO Springs

_____Sea ‘N Air Golf Course, California

_____Manatee Cove Golf Course, Florida

_____The Courses at Andrews, Washington, D.C.

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Addl. Notes: Issue: May 2012

ATT.COM/NETWORKScreen images simulated. ©2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. Service provided by AT&T Mobility. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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may 2012

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