The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has honored Broken Tee Golf Club in Englewood, CO with the association’s 2015 Player Development Award. The club was presented the award at the association’s Annual Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.
According to the award criteria, the honor is “bestowed upon a course which has implemented a true and tested player development program, providing effective return-on-investment and an overall welcoming atmosphere for new golfers of all ages.”
“For many years, Broken Tee Golf Club has been dedicated to growing the game and attracting new golfers of all ages,” said Mike Hughes, NGCOA’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their commitment to player development is exceptional. They are truly deserving of this honor.”
Located on the outskirts of the Mile High City with the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains as backdrops, the public facility includes an expertly manicured, par-72 layout that plays as long as 6,995 yards, as well as a 1,564-yard, par-27 nine-hole course.
Understanding the importance of growing the game, leadership at the club decided in 2000 that player development consisted of more than just junior programs. Comprehensive player development was placed as an immediate priority – and it all began with taking the pulse of the surrounding community.
The club took an “all in” approach, starting with a careful analysis of Englewood and its surrounding area to determine attitudes towards the game, local needs, and desires. What resulted is now considered the nation’s most comprehensive commitment to growing the game.
Broken Tee’s player development activity includes a Hole-N-One Junior Program that has reached more than 6,000 kids aged 5-15 since its inception. It features one-hour lessons with PGA professionals, a play day on the par-3 course, and a closing barbecue extravaganza that attracts more than 2,000 Hole-N-One participants and family members each year. The club also offers discounted parent lessons while the youngsters are in Hole-N-One class which have proven highly popular.
Broken Tee has also teamed with Colorado PGA to provide lessons to local elementary school students, many of whom live in lower-income neighborhoods and wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to golf. Four lessons are taught on campus as part of each school’s physical education program and students are then shuttled to the club for a final lesson on the practice range.
A Par-3 League has been created for golfers aged 8-17 that teaches golf basics, including making tee times, purchasing balls, using the ball dispenser, checking in with the Pro Shop and starter, arriving in advance of scheduled tee times, keeping score, and establishing a handicap, as well as stressing proper golf etiquette and honorable sportsmanship. The only requirement is that players must carry their own bag. The premise behind the Par-3 League is to prepare youngsters for junior tournaments and high school team competition.
Broken Tee also has Golf 4 The Disabled which offers instruction to physically and mentally challenged players, young and old. Players new to the game learn in a comfortable setting while recently disabled golfers learn how to adjust their game to fit their new lifestyle. A recent USGA Foundation grant has been used to purchase three single-rider golf carts.
There are also Get Golf Ready programs aimed at women new to the game or returning after an extended absence. A Quick-6 program offers six holes of golf for $10 and requires approximately 75 minutes to play and helps golfers transition from the Par-3 course to the Championship Course. The club also introduced SNAG® (Starting New at Golf) last year for 5-7-year-old juniors, helping kids transition from toy clubs to real clubs.
The NGCOA’s Annual Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, is the golf industry’s largest gathering of owners and operators of daily fee, private, resort and municipal courses.
NGCOA www.ngcoa.org
Broken Tee Golf Club www.brokenteegolf.com
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