While Jack Nicklaus will be the featured guest at the Century of Golf Gala, the Golden Bear certainly won’t be the only golf luminary who will be honored Nov. 14 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
Nicklaus accomplished plenty in Colorado during his illustrious career, but he’s never been a full-time resident of the Centennial State. However, six people who have called Colorado home — all among the most notable names in the state’s golf history — will be honored in a major way at the Gala.
Indeed, the six Colorado golf luminaries will be recognized as People of the Century at the event, which is being held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the CGA, which was founded in 1915. The Gala and related activities are being conducted by the Colorado Golf Foundation, with all proceeds supporting the Foundation’s mission of youth development through golf.
The six honorees will be:
Man of the Century — Will Nicholson Jr. (pictured above with current USGA president Tom O’Toole Jr.)
Woman of the Century — Judy Bell
Golf Professional of the Century — Charles “Vic” Kline
Superintendent of the Century — Dennis Lyon
Male Player of the Century — Hale Irwin
Female Player of the Century — Barbara McIntire
How good is that group?
Two — Bell (left) and Irwin — are in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Four — Irwin, Bell, Nicholson and McIntire — are in the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
And all six have been inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
“The Century of Golf celebration is both a celebration of 100 years of golf, and an ushering in of the next 100,” said Ed Mate, executive director of the CGA. “And, in the reflection on the last 100, it’s giving credit to those individuals who have made it special — to all the people that drive everything. To me, it’s exciting and fitting and gratifying that we’re able to recognize these six people. It’s a chance to truly pay tribute to them.”
The criteria used for selecting the People of the Century were they had to be living individuals whose contributions to the game have transcended the state of Colorado and the sport, and who have been recognized nationally or beyond for what they’ve accomplished.
Here’s a brief rundown on the accomplishments of the People of the Century:
— Will Nicholson Jr. (Man of the Century): Denver resident served as president of the USGA in 1980-81, making him the second Coloradan to hold that prestigious volunteer post (following Frank Woodward). … Overall, spent 11 years on the powerful USGA Executive Committee. … As chairman of the Masters Competition Committee at Augusta National Golf Club from 1992 through 2006, was responsible for setting up the course for the Masters. … Also chaired the Masters Rules Committee for 17 years. … Chairs the Colorado Golf Foundation. … Has served on the CGA board of governors since 1973 and was on the board that helped make the CGA/CWGA-owned CommonGround Golf Course a reality. … Captained the U.S. squad at the 1984 World Amateur Team Championship. … Nicholson Award has been given to honorees who have demonstrated a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the game of golf. Among the recipients — besides Nicholson himself — are Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Judy Bell, Hale Irwin and Ernie Els. … Inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
— Judy Bell (Woman of the Century): Of all the volunteer presidents the USGA has had since its founding in 1894, the Colorado Springs resident is the only woman who has held the position, having served in that capacity in 1996-97. … One of just three Coloradans who have been USGA president, following Frank Woodward (1915-16) and Will Nicholson Jr. (1980-81). … In 1987, became the first female to serve on the USGA Executive Committee. … Lost to Mickey Wright in the semifinals of the 1952 U.S. Girls’ Junior. That’s one of 38 USGA championships in which Bell has competed. … In 1964, she shot a then-record 67 at the U.S. Women’s Open, a score that remained the tournament’s standard for 14 years. … Won the Kansas state women’s amateur title at age 15 in 1952, and again in ’53 and ’54. … Competed on the U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1960 and ’62 and captained it in 1986 and ’88. … Captured The Broadmoor Ladies Invitation title three times. … Was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1976, the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame in 1991, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001.
— Charles “Vic” Kline (Golf Professional of the Century): Was presented the PGA of America’s top award, as national Golf Professional of the Year, in 2000. Only one other member of the Colorado PGA has earned the honor, Warren Smith in 1973. … Five years later, in 2005, Kline was inducted into the PGA of America Golf Professional Hall of Fame. … Served as president of the Colorado PGA five different years from 1975 through ’92 and was also involved with adminstration at the PGA of America. … Has received numerous awards from the Colorado PGA, including being named Golf Professional of the Year in 1975 and ’93. … The junior golf program at Indian Tree Golf Club in Arvada, where Kline was the longtime director of golf, was named the best in the nation at a municipal facility by Golf Digest in 1988. … Lettered in both golf and basketball at the University of New Mexico, and won two state amateurs and a state publinks in New Mexico. … Won the Colorado Open in 1968 and the Rocky Mountain Open in 1977. … Five times was named the Colorado PGA’s Player of the Year. … The Colorado PGA’s Vic Kline Award is presented for outstanding service and leadership in the Section. … Was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.
— Dennis Lyon (Superintendent of the Century): Served as national president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in 1989-90. … Was the president of the CGA in 2002-03. … Oversaw the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship held at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora as general chairman. … In 2011, received the USGA’s national Green Section Award, given to individuals who contribute significantly to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass. … In 2013, was presented the national Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award, presented by the GCSAA to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent’s profession. … Also has been given the Ike Grainger award for 25 years of volunteer work on USGA committees. … Retired at the end of 2010 after more than three decades as manager of golf for the city of Aurora. … Was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
— Hale Irwin (Male Player of the Century): Won the U.S. Open three times (1974, ’79 and ’90), and is one of just six players who have claimed the championship at least thrice, joining Jack Nicklaus (4), Ben Hogan (4), Bobby Jones (4), Willie Anderson (4) and Tiger Woods (3). … Remains the oldest winner of the U.S. Open, at age 45 in 1990. … Also holds the record for most Champions Tour victories, with 45, 16 more than second-place Lee Trevino. Of those 45, seven victories are senior majors. … Owns 20 wins overall on the PGA Tour. … All told, has competed in more than 1,100 events when adding PGA Tour and Champions Tour tournaments. … Compiled a 13-5-2 record in five Ryder Cup appearances. … Served as captain of the U.S. team in the inaugural President’s Cup, in 1994. … Won the 1967 NCAA individual title while at the University of Colorado. … Also was an All-Big Eight defensive back in football for CU. … Won five CGA state amateur championships in the 1960s, including three consecutive Stroke Plays. … Also claimed a Colorado state high school title in 1963. … Has designed several courses in Colorado, including Highlands Ranch Golf Club, Indian Peaks Golf Course and the Cordillera Mountain Course. … The Colorado-based Hale Irwin Elite Player Program and the AJGA Hale Irwin Colorado Junior are named in his honor. … Was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1986, the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992, and the CU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
— Barbara McIntire (Female Player of the Century): Won the U.S. Women’s Amateur twice, in 1959 and ’64. Sandwiched between the two was another national title as she claimed victory at the 1960 British Ladies Amateur, becoming just the fourth American to win that event. … Earlier, in 1956, very nearly became the first amateur to win the U.S. Women’s Open as she was tied with Kathy Cornelius after four rounds, but lost an 18-hole playoff the next day (75-82) to finish runner-up. … Also was twice runner-up in the U.S. Girls’ Junior, in 1951 and ’52. She lost in the ’52 final 1 up to Mickey Wright. … Played on U.S. Curtis Cup teams six times and captained two others. … Won numerous prestigious titles in the U.S., including sixth North and Souths and two Western Amateurs. … In Colorado, she won the 1962 CWGA Stroke Play Championship. … Served as chairperson of the USGA Women’s Committee. … In 2000, was presented the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the USGA, in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. … Longtime Colorado Springs resident was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame in 1995, and was part of the second class of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, in 1974.
The Century of Golf Gala at The Broadmoor will begin on Nov. 14 with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., and the dinner and formal program will start at 6:30 p.m.
To reserve spots at the Century of Golf Gala or for sponsorship opportunities or general information, CLICK HERE. Or you can contact CGA director of development Ryan Smith at rsmith@coloradogolf.org, or at 303-974-2108.
