MEET JUDY BELL

The first woman up on the tee is none other than Judy Bell. Judy stood as a true pioneer in golf, opening doors for women and redefining what leadership in the game could look like. She was a two-time Curtis Cup player and later served as a Curtis Cup captain for two years, during which she continued to demonstrate her leadership and competitive edge. Judy really made her mark in 1987, when she became the first woman to be nominated to the USGA’s executive board, and she later became the first woman officer in the USGA. Continuing her excellence, she also became the first woman to ever work as a rules official at the Masters. 

Judy didn’t stop there; in 1995, she helped lead the operations of the U.S. Women’s Open at the Broadmoor GC, where the event made its debut and broke records in both attendance and revenue. Then, in November of 1995, she was nominated to serve as USGA president, a role that solidified her place as a lasting figure in the golf world.

As she continued to break barriers in the sport, her recent death in November 2025 left a huge impact on the golf world. Her leadership and dedication paved the way for so many women, and her legacy will continue to influence the sport for generations.

MEET ANN FINKE, PGA

Second up on the tee is Ann Finke. Ann’s golf career has several “firsts” attached to her name. It all started at Scottsbluff High School in Nebraska, where she was the first girl to receive an athletic scholarship. Then, she later became the first female member of the Nebraska and Colorado Sections of the PGA. In addition to an amazing career, she was the first female from the Colorado Section to receive a National PGA Award, which was the 2010 National Junior Golf Leader. 

The “first” that she finds most important is being the first in her students’ hearts, having spent over 30 years as the director of instruction at the Country Club of Colorado out in Colorado Springs. Ann has given almost 40,000 lessons, with about 40% of those lessons being with juniors. Continuing her amazing career, she later won the 2010 National Junior Golf Leader Award presented by the PGA of America. She became the first female and thirteenth overall Colorado Section member to win a National PGA award. 

MEET SALLY HARDWICK, PGA

Stepping up to the tee is Sally Hardwick. Her list of accomplishments is impressive, starting with her win at the very first CWGA Junior Match Play Championship in 1953. She later made history again by becoming the tournament’s first three‑time champion, claiming consecutive victories in 1955 and 1956. Sally quickly found success in the women’s division, winning both the 1957 CWGA Match Play and Stroke Play titles. She remained Colorado’s top amateur in the late ’50s, earning Stroke Play wins in 1958 and ’59 and another Match Play title in ’59.

In 1961, Sally broke new ground as Colorado’s first female club professional, beginning her career under Marion Pfluger at Pinehurst Country Club. Her passion for the game carried her into coaching, first with the Arizona State women’s team (1964–1967) and later with the Heritage High School boys’ team (1972–1994). She stepped away from Heritage in 1999 and officially wrapped up her Pinehurst tenure in 2007. 

MEET JILL MCGILL

Next up on the tee is Jill McGill, one of the most accomplished golfers ever to come out of Colorado. Her rise began in 1990 when she won the first sanctioned state high school girls’ golf championship in Colorado. Jill’s success only grew from there as she captured the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur Publinks, finished runner‑up at the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and represented the United States on the 1994 Curtis Cup team. During her collegiate career at USC, she earned two All‑American honors and placed fourth at the 1994 NCAA Championships.

Jill never captured a win during her 15 years on the LPGA Tour, but she recorded three runner‑up finishes and two third‑place showings. Her impact on the game was still widely recognized as she earned the 1994 Golf Person of the Year Award and received the honor again in 2023. She also became only the third woman, and fifth player overall, to win three different USGA championships, joining legends such as Joanne Carner, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Carol Semple Thompson, and Tiger Woods. Her distinguished career was further honored with her induction into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Meet Christie Austin

Last up on the tee is Christie Allen. Unlike everyone else, she didn’t pick up a club until age 26, but after her first lesson, she was instantly hooked. She quickly dropped her 54 handicap to scratch, won the first of her 11 club championships at Cherry Hills Country Club, and began volunteering on numerous golf boards and committees at Cherry Hills and throughout the Denver community. In 2007, she became only the fifth woman in 114 years to serve on the USGA Executive Committee. Christie also served as a rules official for prestigious tournaments, including the Masters, the U.S. Open, multiple USGA Championships, the 2012 Walker Cup, and the Open Championship.

Her exploits on the course are equally remarkable. Her record includes 15 Colorado Women’s Golf Association titles (among them the Senior Match Play in 2007 and the Senior Stroke Play in 2007 and 2014) and she was twice named the Colorado Women’s Golf Association Senior Player of the Year in 2007 and 2014. Adding to her decorated career, she was inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2015.