At the National Golf Course Owners Association’s Annual Conference on February 25, the organization will award the National Golf Course of the Year honor to one of four finalists, and give Broken Tee GC in Englewood, Colo., the Player Development Award.
Four finalists have been named for the 2015 National Golf Course of the Year award, which is given annually by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA). The award recognizes facilities that excel in four categories: course quality, quality of ownership and management, contributions to the community, and contributions to the game.
The finalists include:
- The Legend Golf Course, Bellaire, Mich.
- Haggin Oaks, Sacramento, Calif.
- Atkinson Resort & Country Club, Atkinson, N.H.
- Currahee Club, Toccoa, Ga.
The winner will be announced on February 25 in San Antonio, Texas at the NGCOA Annual Conference.
The NGCOA will also honor Broken Tee Golf Club in Englewood, Colo., with the association’s 2015 Player Development Award at the conference.
The honor is “bestowed upon a course which has implemented a true and tested player development program, providing effective return-on-investment and an overall welcoming atmosphere for new golfers of all ages.”
“For many years, Broken Tee Golf Club has been dedicated to growing the game and attracting new golfers of all ages,” said Mike Hughes, NGCOA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their commitment to player development is exceptional. They are truly deserving of this honor.”
With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, the public facility includes a par-72 layout that plays as long as 6,995 yards, as well as a 1,564-yard, par-27 nine-hole course.
Comprehensive player development was placed as an immediate priority in 2000—and it all began with taking the pulse of the surrounding community. The club took an “all in” approach, starting with a careful analysis of Englewood and its surrounding area to determine attitudes towards the game, local needs, and desires.
Broken Tee’s player development activity includes:
- A Hole-N-One Junior Program that has reached more than 6,000 kids aged 5-15 since its inception. It features one-hour lessons with PGA professionals, a play day on the par-3 course, and a closing barbecue extravaganza. The club also offers discounted parent lessons while the youngsters are in Hole-N-One class which have proven highly popular.
- Teaming up with Colorado PGA to provide lessons to local elementary school students, many of whom live in lower-income neighborhoods and wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to golf. Four lessons are taught on campus as part of each school’s physical education program and students are then shuttled to the club for a final lesson on the practice range.
- A Par-3 League has been created for golfers aged 8-17 that teaches golf basics, including making tee times, purchasing balls, using the ball dispenser, checking in with the Pro Shop and starter, arriving in advance of scheduled tee times, keeping score, and establishing a handicap, as well as stressing proper golf etiquette and honorable sportsmanship.
- Golf 4 The Disabled, which offers instruction to physically and mentally challenged players, young and old. Players new to the game learn in a comfortable setting while recently disabled golfers learn how to adjust their game to fit their new lifestyle. A recent USGA Foundation grant has been used to purchase three single-rider golf carts.
- Get Golf Ready programs aimed at women new to the game or returning after an extended absence. A Quick-6 program offers six holes of golf for $10 and requires approximately 75 minutes to play and helps golfers transition from the Par-3 course to the Championship Course. The club also introduced SNAG® (Starting New at Golf) last year for 5-7-year-old juniors, helping kids transition from toy clubs to real clubs.
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