Last year, one of the USGA’s largest “For the Good of the Game Grants” went to the Colorado Golf Association and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association for the construction of a Kids Course adjacent to their new CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora.
The summary of the $175,000 grant on the USGA web site notes that the junior area “will provide access to approximately 500 program participants, the majority of (whom) are economically disadvantaged. The participants will receive free access outside of programming hours” on the Kids Course. “Additionally, the courses will provide inexpensive access to all other juniors in the surrounding communities.”
With the nine-hole par-3 Kids Course — as well as the 18-hole regulation course — opening to the public on May 23, it’s safe to say that the golf associations are taking to heart the message the USGA conveyed with its large grant.
The Kids Course “is the most important part of the facility,” said Ed Mate, executive director of the CGA. “It’s not an afterthought. The whole model is the big course being an economic engine to run the little course. The future depends on the Kids Course. It’s so key. It’s how we’re different from any other course. Our mission is to grow the game. If not for the Kids Course, I would kind of wonder why we’re doing what we’re doing. This brings it all into context. The kids are the most important thing.”
With that in mind, when the grand opening of CommonGround is held on May 20, the first tee shots won’t be hit by some golf association official or other dignitary. Instead, they’ll be struck by two youngsters — Elizabeth Wang of Parker and Coby Welch of Highlands Ranch. Those two won the Colorado Junior Golf Association Junior Series 10-under championship at Boulder Country Club last year.
“They’ll leave a lot more interesting image than me hitting a duck hook,” Mate said with a chuckle. “We’re trying to make a statement. The facility is not for us, but the next generation.”
Beyond making an initial statement, the golf associations place a high priority on exposing youngsters to the game, especially those who fall in the “economically disadvantaged” category to which the USGA refers.
With that goal in mind, the associations have long been involved with junior outreach programs. But now that they have their own Kids Course, that effort will soon be taken to another level.
“Our dream for the short course is to have junior programming every day there,” said Dustin Jensen, director of youth programs for the CGA. “We’d like to get to the point that when people drive by (CommonGround), they’ll look over and see 100 kids on the short course.”
Jensen splits up his time between overseeing junior tournaments and working with developmental youth programs. Among the most prominent ones that should benefit from the CommonGround Kids Course are Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Special Olympics, LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of Aurora, Open Fairways, Venturing Program, Eisenhower-Evans Caddie Scholarship, Ridgeview Academy and a number of other local schools.
Participation in the CJGA’s developmental programs is free to youngsters involved in such organizations. That includes complimentary use of the Kids Course.
“I really enjoy the partnership we have with the different groups and to see how much of an impact we have on kids who might not otherwise be exposed to golf,” Jensen said. “It’s so much fun to show them the game and see their reactions.”
This year, with CommonGround getting up and running, the golf associations are focused on making sure their existing junior outreach programs hit the mark before expanding in future years.
“We want to perfect what we have, then we can double or triple (program sizes) down the road,” Jensen said. “That’s why the course is there.”
Of course, CommonGround will also feature plenty of traditional junior programs — overseen by directors of instruction Gary Davis and Elena King — for beginning- to advanced-level players (see commongroundgc.com for more information).
Greens fees for juniors (age 18 and under) run $15 for 18 holes and $10 for nine holes on the regulation course, and $5 on the Kids’ Course. Juniors always have priority on the Kids Course, though it is open to everyone. An adult, when accompanied by a youngster, likewise pays $5 on the Kids Course. Holes on the Kids Course range from 72 to 162 yards.
Beyond learning through playing, another aspect of junior development at CommonGround is the existence of a caddie program. The great majority of such programs in Colorado are based at private clubs, but CommonGround is a notable exception. The course is expected to have a group of about 10 caddies this year, and requests for their services must be made at least 48 hours in advance (to Erin Bessey at the CGA, 303-366-4653 ext. 102). Bessey said CommonGround will have some “caddie tee times” on weekends — premier time slots that can only be used by players taking caddies — and she also noted that the men’s league will make use of caddies.
All in all, it’s safe to say juniors won’t take a back seat at CommonGround.
“What better way to grow the game than through kids?” said director of golf Dave Troyer.
