If there’s anyone who can truly appreciate the recent $6 million renovation and expansion of the Evans Scholars house for caddies at the University of Colorado, it’s Dr. Homer McClintock.
McClintock was one of three CGA officials on hand back in March 1969 when the E.S. house at 1029 Broadway in Boulder was first dedicated after being purchased from the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity the previous November.
Forty-seven years later, McClintock, now 98 years old, recently returned to the house to see the renovation and expansion that was spearheaded by fellow Cherry Hills Country Club member Rick Polmear.
“I had a tour, and it’s marvelous,” McClintock (pictured) said in a recent phone interview. “It’s a great facility and it’s in a great location.”
McClintock has long had a soft spot in his heart for the Evans Scholars program, which awards full tuition and housing scholarships to high-achieving caddies with significant financial need. The CGA and CWGA have long partnered with the Illinois-based Western Golf Association in supporting the scholarship at CU. Back in the 1960s, McClintock served as scholarship chairman of the CGA, and he and then-CGA president Dick Campbell and chapter house committee chairman Sonny Brinkerhoff played key roles in finding and acquiring the house and getting it ready for the group that was then known as the Eisenhower-Evans Scholars. Currently, McClintock’s grandson, Keane, is an Evans Scholar freshman at CU after caddying at Cherry Hills.
“The Evans Scholars program is really good, and it was run in the best way possible,” McClintock said. “The selection meetings (in which scholarship finalists are interviewed) are always very interesting, understanding what some of these kinds have gone through to get the scholarship. It’s fascinating and unbelievable.
“It’s such a great opportunity (for caddies). They don’t just get tuition, but they become part of a program that’s great.”
Both the Evans Scholars house (left) and program at CU, and McClintock himself are being celebrated this spring. The renovated and expanded house (READ MORE) will be dedicated — again — on April 16, with alumni, supporters, administrators and current Evans Scholars taking part. Then on May 14 at his home club of Cherry Hills, McClintock will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame (READ MORE).
McClintock’s work with the Evans Scholars program is certainly one of the main reasons he’s being honored, but hardly the only one. He served on the CGA board of governors from the 1960s to the early 1980s, a time when the association was greatly expanding its reach and services.
In addition, McClintock was the club president at Cherry Hills in 1963 and ’64, and in 1977 leading up to the 1978 U.S. Open. He also played a key role in the hiring of Warren Smith as head golf professional at the club. In 2005, Smith was inducted into the national PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame. McClintock also received a lifetime membership in the Colorado PGA in 1977. Homer’s son, Rich, served as chairman for the 1983 U.S. Mid-Amateur and the 1990 U.S. Amateur, both at Cherry Hills.
At one of the most historic clubs in Colorado, McClintock has been a member an amazing 64 years and is the oldest living member at Cherry Hills, according to head golf professional John Ogden.
“He’s probably one of the most respected members in the history of that club,” Ogden said. “He’s the most inspirational guy you’ll ever see — 98 years old, plays golf whenever he can, hits balls, works out every day, still goes to medical conferences. He was one of the first neurologists in Denver. He’s a neat guy. I love Homer. He’s just the best.
“If I’m that sharp (as McClintock is) in 10 years I’ll be happy. He’s a treasure at Cherry Hills, a true treasure. There’s not one person in that club who will speak anything but great (things) about Homer McClintock.”
And the doctor feels the same way.
“There’s a lot of interesting people (at the club) and lifetime friends,” he said.
McClintock was a Navy physician in the Pacific during World War II — he served with amphibious forces — before going on to become a neurosurgeon. A resident of Colorado since the early 1950s, McClintock has been a very good golfer for most of his long life. He played on the University of Pittsburgh golf team in the late 1930s and was good enough to compete in the British Amateur in 1960. A back operation last June sidelined McClintock for a while, but he was recently planning to start swinging the clubs again. When McClintock is feeling well, he’s a regular on the golf course and at the range at Cherry Hills.
McClintock first shot his age (or lower) when he was 79 years old as he carded a 74 in a member-guest. Since then, he said he’s managed the feat “over 25 times”, though Ogden believes that number is much higher.
“My lowest handicap was about a 3,” McClintock said. “I was never a great golfer, but I enjoyed it.
“Golf is a great game. You play it in great locations and you meet nice people. It’s a great game for everybody.”
And though McClintock has given plenty back to the game over the decades, he was a little taken aback when he first heard he was receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
“I was a little surprised,” he said. “If you ask me, a lot of people deserve it more than me.”
Not likely. This good doctor has done plenty for golf during his long lifetime.
