Colorado apparently just loves its women’s golf competitions, at least when they’re of the major variety.
Four big-time LPGA Tour-related events have come to Colorado in the last 20 years, and all have been successes in the attendance department.
The biennial Solheim Cup matches between the U.S. and Europe, which concluded Sunday at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, drew about 110,000 fans for the three practice days and the three competition days. That’s a little shy of pre-tournament goals of 120,000 — the Solheim Cup record, set in 2009 in Sugar Grove, Ill. — but it’s still a strong total.
“I can’t tell you how great these fans are out here. It’s amazing,” American player Paula Creamer said.
Added John Solheim, part of the family that lent its name to the Solheim Cup: “What a course, what a place, what an atmosphere.”
Part-time Lakewood resident Hollis Stacy, a World Golf Hall of Famer who takes an active role in promoting the LPGA and women and girls golf, attended both the Ping Junior Solheim Cup at Inverness Golf Club and the main event at Colorado Golf Club.
“It’s gotten a great response,” said Stacy, winner of three U.S. Women’s Opens, three U.S. Girls’ Juniors and 18 LPGA Tour events overall. “The crowds have been very, very, very, very good, even with the Europeans pulverizing us. The fans have been wonderful.”
And that comes on the heels of Colorado-based tournaments setting then-U.S. Women’s Open weeklong attendance records in 1995 (96,000 for seven days at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs) and in 2005 (more than 131,000 at Cherry Hills). And while the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor didn’t break a record, it still drew an impressive total of more than 125,000.
The crowds at the Solheim Cup are a little different. Besides being considerably more boisterous, many more fans come from out of the country — and out of the state — than in a more typical golf event. And, of course, because of the nature of the Solheim Cup, it’s televised in nations worldwide.
“It showcased Colorado golf terrifically,” Stacy said. “The winner of the whole thing is the golf course. It’s extremely tough, especially for the U.S. players. The course looked great.”
And the event could play a role in growing the game in Colorado, especially among women and girls who get the itch to play — or play more — because of what they’ve seen.
“I saw a lot of little girls out there,” Stacy said. “I think it will help little girls in playing golf and being excited about playing.”
And Stacy hopes that the run of big-time women’s golf events in Colorado continues. Starting in 2005, three of the women’s game’s top competitions have been held in the state.
“I think it’s smart to have LPGA events and USGA events here because it does showcase the beauty of Colorado and everything else that’s so wonderful about Colorado,” Stacy said.
