W hen the Colorado Golf Association named CommonGround Golf Course in 2008 we got a lot of funny looks. Many thought it sounded like a clichéd name of a coffee shop. Others scratched their heads wondering why the tried-and-true golf-naming convention of _______ (animal name) and _________ (geographic feature) was ignored. Whether you like the name or not, the process of naming the course was as thoughtful as the design of the course itself. As the only golf association-owned course in the state, the name needed to be different, and it needed to represent the values of its owner.
To help explain the name, when the course was opened in May of 2009, a plaque was installed on a large rock that helps welcome golfers to CommonGround. The plaque reads as follows:
Why “CommonGround?” The name was chosen not simply to name a course, but to declare a mission: To provide everyone in the state with a first-class environment in which to comfortably learn, enjoy and support this amazing game and all that it offers.
On behalf of the Colorado Golf Association and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association, Welcome to CommonGround—a place for all and all the game teaches.
Since that time, the CGA and the CWGA came together to form a single, unified golf association to serve all golfers in Colorado. And more than ever, the name CommonGround accurately represents the aspirations and accomplishments of an association-owned mission-centric golf course. A few examples:
Caddies to College – Three years after opening CommonGround, the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy was launched. The program's goal was to create opportunities for young people to learn about hard work (their first job), leadership and potentially qualify for an Evans Scholarship. Since 2012 over 50 caddies have received the full-tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Colorado.
Golf-in-Schools – When CommonGround Golf Course was being constructed, a 9-hole short course was added to the southeast corner of the property. The 990-yard course, practice putting green and teaching tee provide the perfect “classroom” to host field trips from neighboring schools and give kids a glimpse into a golf course environment. For many, it is their first time on a golf course. Watching eyes light up when these kids experience “flight euphoria” for the first time is magical.
$5 Golf for Kids – As a CGA-owned course, CommonGround is a leading participant in the CGA’s flagship youth player development program—Youth on Course (YOC). This nationwide program has over forty participating facilities in Colorado (and thousands nationwide). The goal of this program is simple—give kids affordable access to playing the game. The keyword in that sentence is playing. Too many times kids are relegated to the driving range and never have the chance to get out on the course. The joy of golf comes from the satisfaction of completing a hole and the journey of getting there!
Community Putting Green – Not everyone can play golf, but EVERYONE can putt. Thanks to a generous donation from the Lowry Development Authority, the CGA added an expansive putting green to the CommonGround Campus in 2010 for all to enjoy at no cost.
The Environment – A Google-Earth view of CommonGround reveals one of the largest contiguous areas of open space in the Denver Metro area. CommonGround provides a much-needed respite from urban sprawl. While the economic growth is great, it is nice to have some breathing room. Thanks to partnerships with the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Denver Field Ornithologists, the CGA and CommonGround have expanded access to the property to non-golfers interested in studying the ecosystem of CommonGround. These partnerships demonstrate how golf courses contribute to environmental stewardship—a message that is critical to lawmakers who may not fully appreciate the significant environmental benefits golf courses provide.
So, whether you like the name or not, CommonGround is fulfilling its mission—a place for all and all the game teaches. Come out and see it for yourself!
CGA members enjoy $57 green fees during the week and $60 on weekends—a $20-$23 savings!