All Within REACH

The Colorado PGA’s new charitable foundation name more clearly defines its mission

Jon Rizzi | Colorado AvidGolfer

As one of the most progressive of the 41 PGA of America Sections, the Colorado PGA Section last month announced it has rebranded its charitable foundation as Colorado PGA REACH.

“The three pillars of Colorado PGA REACH will be youth development, support of our military, and promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion,” Executive Director Eddie Ainsworth says. “In all three areas we seek to positively impact lives through the game of golf.” While the Colorado PGA Foundation supported initiatives on these fronts, the organization’s new name more clearly defines its outreach mission.

• On the youth-development front, the Section’s five-year-old Golf in Schools Program has introduced golf to more than 30,000 school-aged children through P.E. classes. Eighty-five percent of these students have also taken part in on-course activities.

• In terms of military support, the Section is working with the Denver VA and the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson to implement the PGA’s Helping Our Patriots Everywhere (H.O.P.E.) Program. The five-week program introduces golf as a way to enhance the mental, social, physical and emotional wellbeing of disabled soldiers.

• To promote diversity and inclusiveness in golf, Colorado PGA Reach is awarding Growth of the Game Grants in support of programs that target traditionally underserved communities. It is also working with the United States Olympic Committee’s F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program, to empower students of all backgrounds through golf so they can thrive in the highly competitive world of sports business.

“Our goal is to reach as many people as we can,” Ainsworth says, explaining of the name change. “We believe we can make a positive difference in lives.” coloradopga.com

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.