What does golf offer you? Competition? Camaraderie? Life lessons? Frustration? Triumph? All of the above?
If you are reading this message, you love golf as much as I do—maybe more! One way or another, this game found its way into our souls. It captivated us. It put us under its spell. Lucky for us, the game of golf was made available to us, and we can’t imagine what life would be like without it in our lives.
But what about those who aren’t so lucky? What about those who don’t have a family member, a college roommate, an Army buddy, a neighbor, or a co-worker to introduce us to the game? What about those who live in rural areas, with no access to a golf course? Or those in the inner city, who routinely pass golf courses in their daily movements, but assume those green pastures are only available to a privileged few?
Dr. Michael Cooper, a longtime industry leader who has served in key roles with the World Golf Foundation, the First Tee, and the USGA has said: “Golf is too great a game not to make it available to everyone.”
The Colorado Golf Association could not agree more! Like many of the other 57 USGA-Allied Golf Associations around the United States, the CGA’s mission statement was created decades ago to capture the founding purpose of the organization: To represent, promote and serve the best interest of golf in Colorado.
That mission has served the CGA well, but does it accurately and completely describe the CGA in the year 2024? Does this statement convey a welcoming tone and capture the full impact the CGA is making through its wide-ranging programs? Youth on Course, the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, USGA/LPGA Girls Golf, Golf in Schools, and investment by the Colorado Golf Foundation—just to name a few—support many worthy, youth-development partners who are working to bring golf to their constituents. Equally as important, is this mission statement memorable? Does it inspire you to share your love of golf with someone in your life?
The CGA board is comprised of golfers from around the state. Men and women from a wide range of backgrounds, golf abilities, and professions. Collectively, this group of leaders represents the nearly 90,000 golfers who belong to the CGA. And on June 12, 2024, the board affirmed the following mission:
The CGA believes that this humble, service-focused statement more accurately reflects the organization that was created when the CGA and the Colorado Women’s Golf Association integrated operations in 2018. We feel it challenges and inspires us. And most importantly, it speaks to all of us—both those who have already fallen in love with golf, and those waiting for the opportunity.
Thank you for your membership in the CGA and for your vote of confidence in our organization. I hope you will ponder our new mission statement and ask yourself how you can introduce your love of the game to someone important in your life.