Berthoud, Colo. - The Colorado PGA Section (COPGA) partnered with TPC Colorado on Tuesday, May 30th to bring back the Pro-Official Championship. This event brought together all the leading associations and golf constituents for a day of golf, education, and networking. The host - the Colorado PGA Section was in attendance along with the Colorado Golf Association, the Mile High Chapter of the CMAA, the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the National Golf Course Owners Association were included in the crowd. The panel was led by PGA of America Regional Director Keith Soriano, PGA. The panel included Cathy Matthews-Kane, PGA Colorado Section President, Kate Drimel, PGA of America Recruiter, Jason Murphy, PGA Club Manager at Columbine Country Club, and Rachel Carter, Membership Director of the National Golf Course Owners Association.

The panel discussion was based on the “Club Pro Crisis” article that came out from Golf Digest this past year. During the panel discussion, Keith Soriano mentioned that a General Manager in Colorado read the article and referring to his club called him asking, “Is this us?’ Keith’s response was, “If you are not careful, it could be.” This led the panel to the discussion on topics such as making sure you have good management tactics, setting clear objectives, offering incentives, creating referral programs for staff, and building a sought-after culture. It was a positive discussion around an article that may have come off shining a negative light on the golf industry.

Following the education session in the morning came an afternoon full of golf at a venue unlike any other. A championship course worthy of the TPC name mostly due to the leadership of incredible Colorado PGA Professionals General Manager John Buser, PGA, and Head Professional Stephen Arendt, PGA. Without those two along with their dedicated maintenance staff, the course would not have been in such pristine condition allowing for such a successful tournament.   

As the day grew older and the light on the mountains in the distance slowly changed shades, it was the perfect backdrop for a dramatic photo finish to the championship with six groups tying for second place. Playing an 18-hole four-person scramble format, the scores were low and with the number to beat at 16-under-par (56). That’s just what the team led by COPGA Professional and Director of Golf of Lakewood Country Club, Ben Honaman, PGA, did. Honaman along with his team of Jon Clay, Joe Kunzie, and Brandon Ideker, carded 13 birdies and two eagles on the round for a total score of 17-under-par (55) narrowly beating out the large pack tied for second.   

Of course, a newly rejuvenated tournament like the Pro-Official only deserves to have some of our best partners on site! Set-up throughout the course, we were so thankful to have UnderArmour, Tagmarshal, and Membersports on board and getting to know our members as they navigated TPC Colorado. The Pro-Official Championship was also supported by some of our other fantastic partners including Colorado Golf and Turf, Strackaline, VIBE Tumblers, and PGA Career Services.

The next event held by the Colorado PGA will be the fourth Corona Premier Pro-Am Series event taking place June 5th at Fort Collins Country Club.

To view full photo album, CLICK HERE

To view final leaderboard, CLICK HERE