Junior and Women’s Events Add to U.S. Senior Open at Broadmoor

Colorado PGA Stages Drive, Chip & Putt and Women ’s Leadership Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday

By Drew Kort

Colorado Springs' Kaden Ford (far right) advanced to the finals of DC&P in Augusta in April
Colorado Springs’ Kaden Ford (far right) advanced to the finals of DC&P in Augusta in April.

Along with the return of major championship golf to Colorado comes the opportunity to bring community members of all ages and backgrounds together. The Colorado PGA Section is taking full advantage of that opportunity leading up to next week’s main event.

On Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., youngsters from surrounding areas will gather on the 18th green of the Broadmoor Golf Club’s West Course to compete in a unique Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifier. This marks the first time in history that a DC&P local qualifier will be held in conjunction with a major championship.

“We are incredibly excited to be able to leverage a major championship in our own backyard through Drive, Chip and Putt for the benefit of the youth development pillar of Colorado PGA REACH Foundation,” Colorado PGA Assistant Executive Director Patrick Salva told Colorado AvidGolfer.

The continual organization of DC&P events alongside prestigious tournaments speaks to the game’s willingness and desire to involve youngsters in the game and to encourage them to participate.

Scene from the 2017 KPMG Women's Summit.
Scene from the 2017 KPMG Women’s Summit.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday at Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, which is just east of The Broadmoor, yet another segment of the community has the opportunity to integrate themselves in the event. The Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by the Colorado PGA REACH Foundation brings Women leaders together “as a catalyst to empower women on and off the golf course.”

The Summit is modelded after the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit that the PGA of America puts on in conjunction with the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. “We took that event as our inspiration and we saw how they were able to use golf to positively impact diverse communities, and in this case females,” said Salva. “We thought that if they can do it in Chicago with that event then we should be able to do something similar here in Colorado.”

In an effort to educate and inspire current and future women leaders, a docket of accomplished speakers will be in attendance. CEO of Schnitzer Steel Industries Tamara Lundgren, Managing Director of G100 Companies Mary Thompson, President of Kilovolt Consulting Inc. Suzanne Vautrinot, Founder and CEO of Boecore, Inc. Kathy Boe and Senior Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the PGA of America Sandy Cross will headline the event.

“We are very happy to have such a diverse group of female leaders involved in the Summit,” said Salva. “They all are creating a huge impact in their fields and they all understand the value of the game of golf when it comes to leadership and when it comes to their careers. Using golf as a means to an end and to further our diversity and inclusion pillar will make a strong impact on the attendees coming to the event.”

If you’re planning on heading to the Springs for the main event next week, showing up a bit early may not be a bad idea.

 

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