When you think of Colorado sports, you think of black diamond skiing, rigorous hiking, and extreme biking. With the union of the Colorado Golf Association and the Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado, golf might just add its name up to the top of that list.
When determining how to advance golf in the state of Colorado, CGA Executive Director Ed Mate concluded that "the coming together of the two strongest golf organizations in the state of Colorado, the Colorado Golf Association and Colorado PGA" was the best option. With this union, both organizations are reaching peak membership from junior golfers all over the state.
At the AJGA Hale Irwin Junior Colorado presented by Huntington Industrial Partners, with a field of 96 players, 41 are from Colorado, and 14 are committed to play college golf. Davis Bryant, Sunday’s qualifier medalist, said that "the competition is more in depth and challenging which is good for me because it has elevated my game and has really gotten me ready for Division I golf."
One of The Colorado Golf Association's major focuses is on junior development. Throughout the year they host a variety of programs such as the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy as well as Community and Wellness Programs.
Dustin Jensen, Managing Director of Operations, states that his favorite program they offer is Big Brothers and Sisters of Colorado because it allows the CGA to "teach the life lessons the game of golf has to offer." Their program had such an impact on the community that the Big Brothers and Sisters Headquarters created a "sports buddies" program that is now offered nationwide.
From kids to community members, there is no stopping this new golf pairing. The CGA and Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado are making their footprint known throughout Colorado. At the AJGA Hale Irwin Junior Colorado presented by Huntington Industrial Partners, the two organizations assisted in staffing the tournament with volunteers ranging from timing stations to ball spotters and everything in between.
Led by fresh new faces like Ryan Smith, Director of Devlopment, who previously worked with the Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, and seasoned veterans like Director of Operations Dustin Jensen, who began as a CGA intern, the Colorado Golf Association is continuing to grow.
As the CGA and Junior Golf Alliance of Colorado continue to grow, their partnership with the AJGA will allow for more and more golf opportunities for junior golfers in Colorado.