Acknowledging that academics come first, the CGA formed two scholarships in 1961, that eventually became one in 1963. This scholarship is the famous Evans Caddie Scholarship program for eligible and deserving caddies in Colorado. Funds for the scholarship are now collected by the CGA and the Western Golf Association (WGA) and the scholarship winners reside in the Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Colorado.

The Colorado Golf Association has many tasks that it has mastered on top of the 18 tournaments held. These include but are not limited to: handicapping, annual membership publications, the Evans Caddie Scholarship, interpretation of the Rules of Golf, and golf statistics. Since becoming the most important golf organization in Colorado, the CGA created a division in 1984 called the Colorado Junior Golf Association in order to inform juniors on the rules and etiquette, and provide them with a chance of competition amongst others in their age group. Not only has it shown great success, it allows job opportunities and provides underprivileged juniors the chance to learn about the game.

So you may be asking what it takes to become a member or sign one of your children up, and what the benefits of doing so include. As a member of the CGA you receive: A USGA handicap index, a membership card, statistics tracker through GHIN, eligibility to play in CGA State Championships, eligibility to play in CGA Member Play Days, and Avid Golfer course directory, discounted rates at Common Ground (Home of the CGA), peer review through internet, discounted travel, and much more!

The next tournaments being held by the Colorado Golf Association:
July 19th- Pikes Peak Amateur at Patty Jewett Golf Course
July 22nd- HealthONE Colorado Open Championship at Green Valley Ranch
July 26th- Devil’s Thumb Pro-am- at Devil’s Thumb Golf Club
For a complete list of the CGA Tournaments visit here!

Much like Big Brother Big Sister, Denver Kids is a program to benefit students around Colorado. As a mentor, our goal is to make a positive difference in the mentee’s life, as well as steering them into a successful path, instead of having them become involved in gangs, violence or drugs. Every day we look up to a role model of some kind, and as a mentor our goal is to be that person in these kid’s lives. For more information about Denver Kids and what they are about, visit their home page!

Cross your fingers that the weather remains nice throughout the day and that we are capable of playing all 100 holes in time! Let the blisters form!

Hydration facts:

Women
14 to 18 years old- 9 cups each day.
19 and older- 11 cups each day.

Men
14 to 18 years old- 13 cups each day.
19 years and older- 15 cups each day.

Sunscreen comes in many forms, as well as many strengths (SPF). SPF stands for sun protection factor, and the higher the better. Depending on how long it takes for you to turn red, SPF is a way to lengthen that period of time. For example in half an hour you turn red, if you use a SPF 15 sunscreen it would protect you for approximately 7 hours. However, due to normal wear off, sunscreen should be applied every two hours, or every nine holes. So when you make the turn, order your sandwich, apply sunscreen, and fill up your water for the next two hours!

You can help show your support for the DRIVEHARD campaign and for the ongoing battle to conquer Alzheimer’s by wearing a DRIVEHARD wristband. The dimpled wristband design replicates the dimples found on a golf ball; it’s not only a stylish design, but wearing one will go a long way towards creating the much needed funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s.

More than 500,000 Canadians and over 2 million Americans suffer from Alzheimers or a similar form of dementia. These numbers continue to grow, and we need to fight for a cure. Together we can make a difference.

This is a great cause and one that the golf community can get behind. Millions of American’s purchased the Yellow Lance Armstrong wristbands. The golfing community is very large. If we can get the word out, we can make an impact to Alzherimers just like Lance did for cancer. Please tell all your golfing buddies and visit DriveHard.org to buy a wrist band…or ten!

For more information about Alzheimer’s and the DRIVEHARD campaign, please visit us online at: www.DRIVEHARD.org

There are four different flights which allow golfers of every skill level to compete with other golfers of their caliber. Your handicap or average score is used to initially put you in a flight. However, there is a tour index that you receive after you play in a tournament which dictates what flight you will compete in. This is to make sure no one is sandbagging and to keep the flights competitive. Tour standings are based on points you receive after each tournament, based on where you placed.

Two tournaments have been played so far this season, of which I was able to play in one. I finished tied for first and lost in a playoff hole. I wasn’t able to play in the second tournament due to the Memorial Day holiday, but I have signed up for the next tournament on June 12, 2010. After placing second and missing a tournament, I sit in 6th place in the point standings for my flight.

For more information on the eGolf Tour, please click the image to the right or go to the tour homepage and chose the city you are interested in

The Playoff Hole:
Fred Couples teed off with a shot to the left which actually ended up in a bush. Frost’s tee shot on the playoff hole (18th) was sprayed the other direction with Lehman’s tee shot splitting the fairway. Couples took a drop as an unplayable, therefore already hitting three. His third shot came up short of the green. Frost’s ball was taken by the wind and behind trees to the left of the green. Lehman stuck his ball 12 feet from the hole. Couples chipped up to the green and two putted for a double bogey, 6. Frost punched one over the green from behind the trees, then one past the hole and 2 putted for a double bogey six. At this point Tom Lehman was putting for birdie and basically had the 2010 Senior PGA Championship title. Lehman two putted for par as the gallery cheered endlessly.

I was able to sit in on the press conferences after Sunday’s round, one of the best experiences of my lifetime. First up, David Frost came in and talked about his round. Frost shot a 67 today and when asked what he took on the playoff hole he jokingly said, “It doesn’t matter.” Frost told the media he was not disappointed or discouraged to the least because he came out and played well. On the sixth and seventh hole in the fourth round, he chipped in. He said that he didn’t pay any attention to the scoreboard, only caught a glimpse as Couples was -3 after 14 holes. One of the most common things Frost talked about was the fan support throughout the tournament. Frost and Couples tied for runner up position.

Fred Couples failed to say anything to the media as he walked out immediately following the playoff hole in which he took the double bogey.

Tom Lehman came into the interview room smiles and all, in a great mood and rightfully so. He said, “It’s nice to win but ask me in a week or so because it probably hasn’t sunk in yet.” Going into the playoff hole after a fantastic up and down, Lehman said that he thought that he had an advantage right away because he had just finished. When you finish your round and have to wait it is much harder to come back out without being warmed up. “Frost got in first and I thought that he was in the driver’s seat [after regulation].” When he made his par putt on 18 in regulation he gave the fist pump as if to tell Couples and Frost, It’s on! One the playoff hole Lehman asked his caddy how many shots they had taken because he was confused. He didn’t even know if Couples had taken an unplayable or not, but he remained focused and did what needed to be done. Lehman was pleased with being all four rounds under par. He was asked if he had any trophies the size of the one next to him, and he replied no but that he knew the PGA of America would provide him with one, unlike other tournaments he has won. He said, “The check is nice but give me a trophy. My son is in little league football and he gets trophies, give me one!” His overall reaction of Colorado Golf Club is that he loved the course since the first time he set eyes on it. Congratulations Tom!

EARNINGS:
1. Tom Lehman- $360,000
2. Fred Couples- $176,000
3. David Frost- $176,000
4. Mark O’Meara- $96,000
5. Nick Price- $76,000

Keeping up with our local players from around Colorado:
1. Bill Loeffler bounced back from his 82 yesterday to shoot a 69 today, putting him at +4 and in a tie for 30th
2. Gary Hallberg shot 76 today to put him in a tie for 43rd. Hallberg is at +6.
3.  Ron Vlosich shot 77 to put him at +12 for the last round.

View highlights from Saturday’s round 3.

When I arrived, Tom Lehman, Nick Price and Colorado’s Doug Perry were teeing off, and I decided to follow them for their front nine. Some good shots, some bad shots, Tom Lehman sits in third place after Friday’s round. Nick Price, who shot a 71 today is tied for 6th. Unfortunately, Doug Perry struggled today and will not be playing his third round at Colorado Golf Club. For part of the day I followed Tom Watson, Michael Allen, and the designer of CGC, Ben Crenshaw. Tension between players was eased by jokes including Tom Watson’s quote, “He should be able to make those kinds of shots. He designed the damn course,” after a nice chip shot on the second hole for Crenshaw. Galleries were filling up as the day went by, mostly following Mark O’ Meara, Fred Couples, Tom Watson, and Tom Kite.

Here is a breakdown of how our local Coloradoans are playing, or have played:
1. Dale Douglass- 81, 91= 172 Did not make cut
2. Gary Hallberg- 71, 75= 146 Made the cut
3. Bill Loeffler- 69, 82= 151 Made the cut
4. Ron Vlosich- 75, 76= 151 Made the cut
5. Mark Weibe- 77, 77= 154 Did not make cut
6. Mike Zaremba- 75, 81= 156 Did not make cut

Current leaders are:
Fred Couples -7
Tom Kite -6
Tom Lehman -5
Jay Don Blake -4
LuChien Soon -4