My dad instilled many things in me—mostly good things I think (although our spouses may argue that point). At the top of that list is an appreciation for history. As a high school history teacher, my father firmly supported the adage that there is nothing new other than the history you have not yet read.
My passion for history manifested early in my career with the CGA when I volunteered to write a series of articles on the history of some of Colorado’s oldest clubs and courses. My first article featured Park Hill Golf Course and led me to interview some of the icons of Colorado golf including, among others, Dan Hogan, Spike Baker, Bill Carey, and Nate Grimes. I am so thankful that I thought to write this article and interview these legends who have all since passed.
With my penchant for history, last month’s Colorado Golf Hall of Fame 50th Anniversary Gala at The Broadmoor was particularly meaningful. Nearly 500 attendees celebrated the nearly 150 inductees, 37 of which were in attendance and the ancestors of another 17. The event was the cherry on top of a year of what was the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame’s 2023 “jubilee parfait.”
The year began with the opening of the Hall’s incredible new museum at The Broadmoor. The $1.6 million museum opened in April and now stands as perhaps the most comprehensive collection of golf artifacts compiled by a state golf organization. In July the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame celebrated the summer with its annual tournament. As with all things 2023, the event was held at the Broadmoor and, not surprisingly, the winning team included 1986 U.S. Open Champion and Colorado Golf Hall of Fame member, Steve Jones.
The culminating event was the 50th Anniversary Gala held on November 18th at Broadmoor Hall. The evening was highlighted by a 15-minute video chronicling the accomplishments of many of the 147 inductees, followed by a fire-side chat with Hale Irwin, Steve Jones, Hollis Stacy and Craig Stadler. As has become the custom, the event was emceed by Tom Green of Channel 9 News. Tom’s love of golf and quick wit made for a spirited conversation with four of the game’s greatest competitors. A total of 11 USGA championships were represented on stage, nine of those being professional major wins.
The themes of the conversation centered around how much the game of golf instills core values, how helpful it is to grow up close to a golf course, how humbling the game can be, and how putting is almost entirely mental.
As the foursome reminded us, there is nothing new about the game except for the history you haven’t read.