WE ARE GOLF
Featuring Holly Champion, PGA
Holly's Journey
Meet Holly Champion, a passionate PGA Professional whose love for the game has shaped a career dedicated to growing golf and the people within it.
From meaningful childhood memories on the course to building one of the most collaborative teams in the industry at the Colorado PGA, Holly’s story is one of purpose, mentorship, and impact.
Q&A With Holly
What are you most proud of working for the Colorado PGA?
"The team we have built. I've never worked with a more supportive, collaborative, enthusiastic, positive group of people in my career. We are a very like-minded, driven group of people who value each other and our shared success."
Why do you love golf?
"My love of golf started because that was something that my Dad and I could do together. We spent every Sunday evening walking a seven-hole loop at our local course, and it was so great to spend that time with him. Now, I love golf because of all its benefits. From being outside to spending quality time with family or friends, the benefits are really endless. Because even a bad day on the course is better than a good day at the office. "
"Golf is also one of the best teachers of lifelong values. Perseverance, resilience, integrity, and especially patience, are all honed on the golf course." ~Holly
What do you wish more people knew about the COPGA?
"I wish more people knew the difference between the PGA Tour and the PGA of America, which includes PGA Sections like Colorado. The PGA and LPGA tours are full of passionate, professional athletes who serve as a billboard for the sport. That’s not us. PGA of America Golf Professionals are the local men and women who work at the golf course down the street. Those are the people you see when you’ve been inspired and encouraged to explore the sport or improve by the Tour Players on TV. We are the people who answer the phone when you want to make a tee time or who coach your PGA Jr. League team. We are the people who teach and coach others who want to improve. We don’t play for millions of dollars. We help millions of people fall in love with golf."
~Holly Champion, PGA
What People Say About Holly
"Holly Champion is a prime example of how to turn a passion for the game of golf into a distinguished career. From her roots as a junior golfer to her time at green-grass facilities and her decade-long tenure with the Colorado PGA Section, Holly exemplifies the spirit of #WeAreGolf. Though she never seeks the spotlight, Holly has played an instrumental role in advancing junior golf and PGA Professional development throughout her career. We are incredibly proud to have her on our team and look forward to her continued impact on the more than 900 PGA of America Golf Professionals within the Colorado PGA Section.”
~ Steven Bartkowski, CEO & Executive Director of the Colorado PGA & PGA REACH Colorado Foundation
"I love the game, and I want to help as many people as I can fall in love with it too." ~Holly
Five Ways to be a Supportive Golf Parent
- You are your child’s safe place. When they have a bad day, be their soft landing. Not their coach. At the end of a hard day, they need to know you still love them even if they didn’t play their best.
- “I just love watching you play.” This is the phrase I use with my own kids. Regardless of what they are doing, I make sure they know I support them in participating. Try something new, get involved, whatever it may be. Regardless of performance, I always tell them I love watching them play. Because I would rather see them try and fail than not try at all.
- Take the rule book and toss it out the window. With many sports, and especially golf, the rules can be a lot for young or beginner players. So when we play or practice as a family, we don't play by the rules. There will be plenty of opportunities in their future for them to become discouraged by taking multiple shots to get out of a bunker. When we play together, they get to toss it out as far as they can. Or they get to take a drop for no penalty. Or they get to drop another shot and hit it in the fairway. My goal is enjoyment, and sometimes the rules don’t support that.
- Give them choices. You want to play with a rainbow golf ball? OKAY! You want the puppy dog headcover? OKAY! You want to hit three shots, then ride in the cart? OKAY! I support their choices (within reason, of course) and want them to make the experience enjoyable and their own.
- Athlete development will always come first. I have extensive experience with the American Development Model (ADM), which is guidelines for age and gender appropriate athlete development. I will focus on their overall development and enjoyment long before we ever specialize in one sport or activity. That is how you build sustainability and avoid burnout.
Holly Champion, MSOL, PGA
Managing Director - PGA REACH Colorado Foundation
Colorado PGA
(303) 996-1591
hchampion@pgahq.com
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