PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Awards 2024 Pillar Grant Recipients

Jun 20, 2024

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.


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Colorado Springs, CO (September 25th, 2023) – The first-ever UMB Bank PGA HOPE Colorado Cup was a major success this past Monday at the beautiful Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs. The team of five from Commerce City, led by PGA Professional Jordan Leblanc, took first place with a score of -13. They will have the opportunity now to represent Colorado and the PGA HOPE Colorado program at the PGA HOPE Secretary’s Cup. The Broadmoor, which will host the 2025 US Senior Open Championship, hosted 17 teams composed of PGA HOPE graduates and their instructors. They played on the West Golf Course at The Broadmoor and played a 5-person scramble format. A tournament-high 13 birdies paved the way for Leblanc and Commerce City to win. Click here to view the full results. Click here to view photos from the event. The Colorado PGA extends its gratitude to The Broadmoor Golf Club, PGA Director of Golf Russ Miller, and its staff for playing host to this beautiful event. We also thank Wilson for providing custom PGA HOPE Colorado golf balls, Branded Bills for providing hats for all those who participated in the event, and UMB Bank for being a great sponsor for the inaugural edition of the Colorado PGA HOPE Cup. An upcoming opportunity to support PGA HOPE will begin on Tuesday, October 11th as the National Day of HOPE campaign opens. This fundraiser will be open through November 11th and all funds will go directly towards efforts to ensure the program remains entirely free for current and future Veterans. For more information on PGA HOPE Colorado: Click Here Colorado PGA HOPE Lead: Justin Limon, PGA, (720)-390-1160 About PGA HOPE Colorado: PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) Colorado is the flagship military program of PGA REACH Colorado, the charitable foundation of the Colorado Section, PGA of America. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. The program introduces the game of golf through a developmental 6-8 week curriculum taught by PGA Professionals trained in adaptive golf and military cultural competency. PGA HOPE includes an introduction to the sport of golf, golf instruction, playing opportunities, and social events. All programs are funded by PGA REACH Colorado, so the cost of programming is free to all Veterans. About PGA REACH Colorado: The PGA REACH Colorado Foundation works daily to support our over 850 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. About the Colorado PGA: The Colorado Section of the PGA promotes the game of golf for the golfers of Colorado, Eastern Wyoming, and a small part of South Dakota. The purpose of the Section is to promote enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry within the Section. The Section accomplishes this purpose by enhancing the skills of its professionals and the opportunities for amateurs, employers, manufacturers, employees, and the general public within the Section. The Colorado PGA has more than 850 members and associates.
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