Golf 2.0 gets rolling nicely in Colorado

UCCS PGA Golf Management hosts Golf 2.0 event to create buzz for Colorado Section Professionals

Building off of the Colorado Section’s Golf 2.0 meeting at the Denver Golf Expo in February, the students and faculty of the UCCS PGA Golf Management program are taking no time to get Coloradoans introduced to the PGA’s new initiative. Hosted by Mollie Sutherland, the assistant director and internship coordinator for the program, and attended by both PGM students and notable teachers throughout the section, the “Golf 2.0 Workshop” was quite a success.

The seminar, which took place on March 16th, was an effort assembled by Sutherland to get both the PGM students and section professionals more involved and aware of how Golf 2.0 works. Throughout the day, many speakers came to talk and explain how the professionals should deal with the PGA’s new initiative.

The first speaker, Judy Alvarez, came to talk and explain how to properly teach lessons for those who are disabled. Alvarez, who is an LPGA professional from Florida, focused on the importance of making the disabled student feel comfortable and not an outcast like they feel elsewhere. It is important to focus on their abilities and not the fact that they are disabled,” she said. “Golf can be enjoyed at anyone at any time, no matter their condition,” she furthered.

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Judy Alvarez

Alvarez had the professionals teach each other as if they were blind, deaf, missing a limb, or in a wheelchair. This was eye-opening for a lot of the students there, as many of them have never seen or taught anyone with a disability.

Danny Harvanek, a PGA Master Professional from Bear Dance, was also there instructing the group how to utilize “Golf in Schools” in their teaching. “Golf in Schools” is a program Harvanek came up with to help get more juniors involved in the game of golf. By coming to their schools and having golf be a part of their physical education class, Harvanek's program has skyrocketed in popularity among elementary schools in Colorado. “When you teach Golf in Schools, keep to the plan, but also focus on making it fun for the kids,” stated Harvanek.

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Danny Harvanek

Besides Harvanek and Alvarez, there were also a couple others from different parts of the industry that Sutherland brought in. Ed Oldham, head professional at The Ranch Country Club, was there to show the group how to properly give a lesson. John Flores, a representative of S.N.A.G (Starting New at Golf), came to show the professionals the basics of the S.N.A.G system and how they can use it in their teaching program for the future.

To wrap up the day, Sutherland brought in TPI (Titleist Performance Institute)-certified coach Dee Tidwell to explain the importance of fitness in golf today. Tidwell had the group try out numerous exercises they could use in their training programs for both children and adults.

Overall, the 8 to 5 seminar was a great learning tool for both the students and section professionals. Being a student myself, I learned so much about aspects of teaching I would have never thought about before. Whether it was learning how to teach disabled veterans the golf swing or trying out exercises that will help both my students and I, this event nailed it.

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