Moms make the game possible

It’s May, time for Mother’s Day and to recall the many ways that mothers connected many of us to the game of golf

By Jim Bebbington

Many people in the Colorado golf community say they wouldn’t be involved in the game at all if it were not for their mothers.

With Mother’s Day this month, we asked a cross-section of Colorado golfers, teachers and leaders to talk about what their moms did to make the game possible for them. Their stories, in their own words, are below.

The stories show what we all know – moms make many good things possible for us. Whether they caddied for their son at a youth tournament, or signed one up for his first tournament, or flew across a continent to help their daughter move into college, they do so much it is impossible to thank them enough.

But that is all many of us can do. Thank you, Mom.

 

Janet Kupcho

Steven Kupcho: I played a lot of golf in my career and was fortunate to have the support of friends and family at many events. While having loved ones present is always special, nothing tops having one on the bag. My dad caddying for my first (and only) Korn Ferry start is a memory I’ll cherish forever.

However, one moment stands above the rest—the only time a caddie quit on me. It was the 2012 CGA Stroke Play Championship at Fort Collins Country Club. I was struggling, especially on the greens. On the par-5 7th, I decided to go for the green in two, likely against the advice of my caddie—my mom. The poorly struck shot found the center of the lake. Frustrated, I snapped my 3-iron. Mom kept her composure, unlike her son. That evening, she informed me I’d need a new caddie (aka I would have to convince Dad to push the cart). More importantly, she reminded me to stay cool, have fun, and trust the process.

That tournament turned around—Dad and I rallied from way behind to win. Mom didn’t get the glory for the comeback, but she deserves all the credit. She taught me tough lessons that shaped me, not just as a golfer, but as a parent.

Mom, thank you for always believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Jennifer: My mom has played an essential role in me playing golf. Golf was a family game for us and so we always went out to play together. My dad, mom, and brother Steven – we were the perfect foursome. Growing up and playing junior golf, she came to every event to watch. She was always the one that travelled with me to out-of-state tournaments and was my biggest cheerleader. I definitely wouldn’t be playing on the world stage without her support and desire to give me the best opportunities growing up. She obviously sometimes had her tough love moments but she was always meaning well, supporting, and wishing me to do the best that I could do, both on and off the golf course.

Janet Kupcho grew up in Arvada and is the mother of LPGA professional Jennifer Kupcho and former Northern Colorado University golfer Steven Kupcho, who lives in Scottsdale with his wife Jenny and their children Deklyn and Eisenhower.

Mame (Mabel) Irwin

Hale Irwin: When I was quite young and into all sports, we lived in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Mom would take me to all my practices – she was working at the time – she would take me to baseball and golf. There was a 9-hole sand green golf course. It was the kind of place where I found a home.

I would have a peanut butter sandwich and I would play a few holes and wander in the woods and get poison ivy. She was the person who got us around. When we moved to Boulder in 1959, we stayed across the street from what is now Flatirons Golf Course. She and Dad entered me into the local Jaycee junior golf tournament and lo and behold I won it – first tournament, first win. As a matter of fact, that trophy sits proudly in my trophy case today, here in Arizona. Both my Mom and my Dad were very supportive of me of anything I chose to do. Dad’s saying was ‘Don’t start something you can’t finish’ and I remember that to this day. Mom said ‘Don’t quit.’

Mom helped out when (years later) like when (his wife) Sally and I had to go to Australia, she took the kids. They were always there, they were never really in the limelight but they were always there. That’s what my wife and I have tried to be there for our kids and grandkids. She was always there with the biggest hug and the biggest kiss and the biggest ‘Go get ‘em.’

Mame Irwin is the mother of three-time U.S. Open winner and C.U. Boulder graduate Hale Irwin

 

Londa McKandless

Kelli McKandless: My mom, Londa McKandless, has been my rock from the very beginning. She was the one making sure I didn’t sleep my life away in high school, getting me up by 8 a.m. every summer morning. She was the one driving me at 5 a.m. to make an 8 a.m. shotgun start in Dallas (a 2.5-hour drive). She continues to be the voice in my head, pushing me to pursue greatness and the one who lifts me up after setbacks.

In 2022, when I started the Summit Junior Tour, a junior golf tour for high school players, I needed extra help during the summers. Without hesitation, my mom traveled from Texas to spend May through August with us in Colorado, fully dedicating herself to supporting the tour. She became the welcome committee, learning every player’s name and making sure they knew there would always be snacks and water waiting for them on the course. She spends countless hours baking cookies and her famous lemon bars, ensuring the kids have a homemade treat after their rounds.

Londa McKandless’ daughter, Kelli McKandless, is a Denver-area PGA professional and instructor.

 

Elaine Matthews

Cathy Matthews-Kane: I learned to play golf at age 9 as a way for my parents to get me out of the rink during Canadian summers, as my first love was figure skating. My Dad taught me to play the game, but my Mom was the rock who made my career in golf possible. In my junior golf years, she volunteered as our Junior Golf Coordinator for Newfoundland, traveling summers with our junior team and driving the daunting large passenger vans just to ensure I had a great experience.  She was relentless in her support, driving and flying to and from tournaments to help me chase my passion.  My fondest golf memory is of feeling my Mother’s unwavering support was when she and my Grandmother traveled to Iowa State University to help me settle into college life at age 17. They even taught me and some teammates on how to do laundry!

My Mother has always been there for me throughout my golf career. Today, she’s a proud Grandma to our two giant Leonberger dogs, supporting me at times as a doggie sitter while I serve this great game as the PGA of America District IX Director.

Elaine Matthews lives in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada; her daughter, Cathy Matthews-Kaneis general manager of the Country Club of Colorado in Colorado Springs

 

Sarah Lee Warren (Schantz)

Tim Schantz: My mom, Sarah Lee Warren (Schantz) and her mother and father (and many relatives before them) made golf possible for me.  As a kid, I spent almost every summer in Emporia, Kansas, a small town literally (almost) at the center of the lower 48!  Mom’s family lived in Emporia from the mid-1800s (helping to establish the town) and were founding members of the local Country Club, Emporia Country Club, and its 9-hole golf course.

My grandparents lived within walking distance of the club, and all summer I would walk there, take lessons and play golf with my friends all day long (and swim, play tennis and eat cheeseburgers (made available just by signing my name, imagine that!).   In my role today, I think often of those days, and the lessons I learned, not just about golf, but about life.  Whenever I do that, thoughts go to my mom and her family, and just how very fortunate I am.

Tim Schantz, the chief executive officer of Troon Golf, graduated from Aurora’s Overland High School and attended the University of Colorado

 

Sandra Weckerly

Maxwell Weckerly: Golf has become more than just a game for my Mom and I – it’s how we connect. My family owns the Redlands Mesa Golf Course, so we’re pretty much always working! But when we’re off the clock, we love hitting the course together. It’s our time to relax, have fun, and talk about life. Out there, we can take a break from the business and responsibilities. It’s just us (and the occasional single player!), enjoying a round and chatting about everything – from course improvements to random life updates. It’s the perfect setting to catch up and share ideas without the usual distractions.

We also love brainstorming ways to make our course even better! Whether we’re thinking up new ideas for the course layout or improving the customer experience, it’s awesome to work together in a more laid-back way. Plus, there’s something about being out on the course that makes it easier to think creatively. Golf has become our little escape from the daily grind, a way to bond while doing something we both love. Every round is a chance to connect, laugh, and keep growing both as family and business partners. And honestly, there’s no better way to spend time together!”