PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Awards 2024 Pillar Grant Recipients

Eight programs provided grant dollars to help positively impact the community!

Larkspur, CO - Since a group of Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals created the vision of the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation (the charitable arm of the Colorado PGA Section) on July 15, 1996, the mission has always been to Positively Impact Lives Through the Game of Golf under three pillars (areas)- Youth, Military, and Inclusion. As the Foundation has grown year over year, and with the creation of the Growth of the Game/Pillar Grants, the 501c3 has been able to support the work of many Colorado PGA of America Professionals, golf facilities across the region, and allied associations that conduct programming directly in line with this same mission. 

This process to apply for Pillar Grants is open to all Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals and organizations annually that use the game of golf to give back to the community. As this year's application process has passed, we are excited to announce the 2024 Pillar Grant Recipients. This year the Foundation Board of Directors is proud to say that they could support 100% of requests that came in. 

"We are excited to once again be able to use the resources of the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation to support our PGA of America Golf Professionals and Allied Associations who believe in the mission of positively impacting lives through the game of golf. The Colorado PGA Section and its Foundation are proud to continue to be a small part in helping to drive positive impact throughout Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and South Dakota. This is the second year in a row in which 100% of applicants have been funded, and we hope to see continued growth of applicants in years to come," said Steven Bartkowski, PGA REACH Colorado Foundation CEO/Executive Director.

Thank you to these individuals and organizations that are going above and beyond to give back! The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is so grateful as an organization to support this work being done right in our backyard financially. Please take a minute to learn about these inspiring programs below. 

• Fearless Golf (Colorado Springs, CO)  - Led by Mark Kelbel, PGA, the mission of Fearless Golf is to use golf as a vehicle to equip at-risk youth for a successful transition to adulthood. Fearless Golf served 175 youth in 2023.
• Just P.L.A.Y. (Denver, CO)- Led by Chad Kendall, PGA in partnership with Just P.L.A.Y where at-risk youth receive life-changing experiences through athletics and activities. 
• PGA HOPE Down Range Events (Arvada, CO) - Visanu Tongwarin, PGA, and Rob Grall, PGA, will host “Down Range” events to keep Veterans engaged after completing a PGA HOPE Program. The program is meant to help ensure these Veterans continue to use golf for healing well after the 6-8 week clinics.
• Patriots to Pros (Colorado Springs, CO ) - Mark Bacheldor, PGA, and Jon Husby, PGA, at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs will be rolling out the second year of Patriots to Pros helping military personnel start a career in golf. 
• P51 Initiative (Monument CO)  - Matt Bohrer, PGA Associate helped to run a golf fundraiser at his facility for Life Scout Colin Saber who has an inspiring goal of honoring service members by building a memorial at the Town Hall in Monument, CO.
• Junior Golf Equipment Library (Aurora, CO) - Ben Pennymon, PGA, who leads CommonGround Golf Course, is launching an equipment library that the community can use to access golf equipment at no cost. This program is aimed at removing one of the primary barriers that prohibit families of need from entering the game of golf.
• And, lastly, the work that many of our Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals are doing for The First Tee of Southern Colorado and First Tee of Green Valley Ranch by building life skills for youth. 

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Steven Bartkowski
CEO/Executive Director
Colorado PGA Section
PGA REACH Colorado Foundation
303.996.1593
sbartkowski@pgahq.com  

About the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation:

The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation works daily to support our over 900 Colorado PGA Professionals to make a difference in our local communities. Programming tries to ensure that regardless of your age or background, cost will never inhibit one’s involvement and enjoyment of the game of golf. The mission of the PGA REACH Colorado Foundation is to positively impact the lives of youth, military, and diverse populations by enabling access to PGA Professionals, PGA Sections, and the game of golf.