Colorado Golf Drives Positive Economic & Environmental Impacts for the State

New report shows economic impact of $1.3B, approximately 33,061 acres of greenspace, and water conservation measures contributed from the Colorado golf industry

DENVER, CO (April 14, 2021) The Colorado Golf Coalition (CGC) in collaboration with the National Golf Foundation and Radius Sports Group has reported the direct economic impact from golf in Colorado was $1.3 billion in 2019 while golf courses contributed approximately 33,061 acres of green infrastructure for wildlife habitat and improved quality of life.


The Colorado Golf Economic & Environmental Impact Report shows the industry generated more than an estimated $2.0 billion (direct, indirect, and induced) to the wider Colorado economy, with more than 19,400 jobs supported by the golf industry, $696.5 million in wage income, and more than $166.5 million in state and local taxes. This compares favorably to $4.8 billion and 46,113 jobs contributed by the Colorado snow sports industry in 2015.


Colorado golf’s greenspace includes turfgrass and 11,855 acres of water, wetlands, and native rough which supports wildlife and pollinator habitats, cools the urban heat island, filters surface water runoff, and contributes to health and well-being. The report’s environmental highlights show water use of less than 1 percent of the state’s annual water consumption, with approximately 97 percent of Colorado golf courses employing at least three or more water conservation measures.

“The Colorado golf industry is committed to contributing to the economic and environmental health of the state,” said Fossil Trace Golf Club Head PGA Professional and President of the Colorado PGA Jim Hajek. “Golf is enjoyed by approximately 487,300 golfers in Colorado – this is roughly equivalent to the entire population of Colorado Springs plus a sold-out Ball Arena.”


Economic activity is driven through golf facility operations, supplies, capital investments, charitable events, tournaments and associations, golf tourism, retail spend, and new home construction in golf communities. Consumer-spend at golf facilities was reported to exceed $639.3 million and golf tourism contributed $281.3 million to the economy, while facilities invested $92 million in capital improvements.


Of Colorado’s 236 golf facilities, 76 percent are public and of those, 46 percent are municipal. Events hosted at golf facilities raised an estimated $35.6 million for Colorado charities such as the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver and the Children’s Miracle Network. Community impact programs include the Junior Golf Alliance, PGA Jr. League, the First Tee, the First Green, and PGA REACH promoting golf instruction, fitness, STEM learning, inclusion, and workforce diversity.

“We’re proud that Colorado golf facilities are leaders in environmental stewardship,” said Eaton Country Club Superintendent and Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association President Kyle Merritt. “In 2019 we published a guide of best management practices covering twelve key areas focused on protecting the environment, promoting optimal playing conditions, and preserving natural resources.”


The industry’s use of recycling and composting efforts contributed to a waste diversion rate of 55.6 percent in 2018, greater than reported 2018 figures for the State of Colorado and 2017 nationwide figures, which were 17.2 percent and 35.2 percent, respectively. The report indicated that Colorado golf facilities are also implementing energy reduction measures including 13 percent reporting onsite solar energy production and 22 percent using lithium-ion battery golf carts, with an additional 31 percent planning to add the carts in less than five years.


The CGC promotes collaboration and engagement with communities, civic leaders, and legislators. Colorado’s legislative leaders have recognized the importance of golf for the state via proclamation. The Colorado Golf Economic and Environmental Report is the first of its kind to fully integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighted by economic and environmental sections to demonstrate global impacts. The SDGs, or Global Goals, are a universal call-to-action to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity.


The report was produced through the CGC, including the Colorado Golf Association (CGA), Colorado Section of the PGA of America (PGA), Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association (RMGCSA), and Mile-High Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (Mile-High CMAA), in conjunction with the National Golf Foundation Consulting, Inc. and Radius Sports Group, a sports and sustainability consulting firm.



The full report is available online at: www.coloradogolfimpact.org


About CGC


The Colorado Golf Coalition is comprised of the Colorado Golf Association (CGA), Colorado Section of the PGA of America (PGA), Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association (RMGCSA), and Mile-High Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (Mile-High CMAA).


The CGA’s mission is to represent, promote and serve the best interests of golf in Colorado. This includes services such as handicap management, course rating, events, clinics, tournaments and membership programs. The CGA is licensed by the United States Golf Association as the “Allied Golf Association” of record for the state of Colorado. More than 60,000 members enjoy all that the CGA has to offer. https://www.coloradogolf.org/


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 the 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 825 members and associates. https://coloradopga.com/


The RMGCSA was founded in 1936 and is dedicated to serving its members and improving golf course management practices through education, sharing knowledge, and networking. RMGCSA is the tenth largest affiliated chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. https://rmgcsa.org/


The Mile High Chapter CMAA strives to provide members affiliated with management of a club with the resources needed to progress and succeed in their club management career paths. Resources include education, networking, and recreational opportunities. https://www.milehighcmaa.org/


About the National Golf Foundation


The National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is driven by its mission to foster the growth and vitality of the game and business of golf. The NGF holds a unique position as the most trusted and preeminent provider of market research, marketing databases, business insights and programs that support every segment of the industry. ngf.org


About Radius Sports Group


Radius Sports Group, a subsidiary of ARCUS Marketing Group, LLC., is a sustainability consulting firm focused on connecting sustainability and sports. It drives environmental, social, and economic impacts through engaging sports franchises, facilities, golf courses, management companies, industry suppliers, and governing bodies, to promote sustainable operations, while positively impacting society and the environment. https://www.radiussportsgroup.com/

Geoff Keffer, PGA, of Lakewood Country Club Fires Final Round 66 to Capture His Third Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title of His Career

By Scott Minta • September 18, 2025
Seven Others Qualify to Join Keffer at Bandon Dunes Next April at the 2026 PGA Professional National Championship Colorado Springs, CO, September 17, 2025 - The final round of the 68th Colorado PGA Professional Championship was pushed back two hours from the scheduled 7:30 am start time due to the second round not being completed the night before. The second round resumed at 7:30 am on Wednesday morning and concluded at 8:35 pm. The cut was made at +9, and final round tee times were off and running at 9:30 am, with the leaders teeing off at 11:00 am. That final group included two-time Colorado PGA Professional Champion Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club. Keffer began the day with a one-shot lead and was determined to hoist the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Award Trophy for a third time. After birdies on one and four and an eagle on five, Keffer had jumped to 11-under-par and held a five-shot lead over his closest competitor. Keffer had seven pars, two birdies, and two bogies over his next 11 holes. “Knowing where I was at, just tried to make low stress pars the whole way,” Keffer said. Then, after low-stress golf over the last 11-hole stretch, Keffer stood on the 17th tee with the golf tournament pretty much won. He could very easily lay up and secure his par, which he did the exact opposite of. Knocking a mini driver on the green to 30 feet and rolling in the eagle putt to jump to 13-under-par. “Getting that one to go in on 17 was just a bonus,” Keffer stated. After a par at the last, Keffer posted a final round 66 and an eight-shot victory in a truly dominant wire-to-wire finish. Keffer captures his first section championship triumph since he won the trophy back in 2020 at Valley Country Club. “We have so many great players in this section that anytime I can be around the top, it is always great,” Keffer said. This win is Keffer’s seventh for the Colorado PGA tournament season, and extends his lead atop the Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year List to 1,548 points with only the Pro-Assistant, Masek Match Play Finals, and the West Chapter Championship left on the 2025 Colorado PGA tournament calendar. Keffer’s win qualifies him for the 2026 PGA Professional Championship, his seventh consecutive PPC. Along with Keffer, seven others will join him at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on April 26-29, 2026. Finishing in a four-way tie for second place, with a 54-hole total of 211, 5-under-par, were Henry Bernard, PGA Assistant Professional at TPC Colorado; Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club; Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, and Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club. Joining those five at Bandon Dunes next April will be solo sixth finisher and four-time section champion, Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course, who fired rounds of 71-69-72 for a three-day total of 212, 5-under-par. A huge thanks to all of our partners of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship. Tom Bauerle, Drew Hunter, and Reed Tomlinson of Colorado Golf & Turf and Club Car, Chris McCallum of Titleist, and Adam Boland of Footjoy, Steven Vigil of Nike Golf, Shaun Haberstroh, Chris Brown, Sam Marley, and Chris Kurth of Taylormade Golf, and Mike Marsilli and Marcus Gregory of Callaway Golf. To our local partners, Chase & Derby McGee of Links & Peaks, Dr. Little of The Golf Clinic, Erin Bates of Liquid Death, Taylor Erkman of Strackaline, Samantha Masciarelli of 1st and 10th tee bars, Zach Ledvina of Maui Jim, and Kelly Jobe of Sterling Cut Glass, for their support of this championship and the Colorado PGA. Last but certainly not least is our fantastic host facility, Flying Horse North, and its dedicated staff. PGA General Manager, Glenn Wallace, PGA Director of Golf, Jacob O’Dell, PGA Head Golf Professional, Mack Borowicz, and Golf Course Superintendent, John Doncilovich, and his entire grounds staff for having the golf course in peak championship condition for the entire week. In the solo seventh position was Chris Hyten, PGA Assistant Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club. Hyten shot rounds of 71-67-75 for a three-day total of 213, 4-under-par. Hyten qualified for his fourth PGA Professional Championship and first since 2022 at Todd Creek. The eighth and final qualifier for Bandon Dunes is Bill Hancock, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course. Hancock defeated Dan Sniffin in a one-hole playoff after making a birdie on the par-5 5th hole. Hancock fired a final round of 75 after rounds of 71 and 68 on days one and two.

Keffer Chasing His Third Colorado PGA Professional Championship Title; Miller and Hyten Sit One Shot Back Heading Into Final Round at Flying Horse North

By Scott Minta • September 17, 2025
Colorado Springs, CO, September 17, 2025 - Day two of the Colorado PGA Professional Championship was a carbon copy of day one, with cool temperatures and sunny skies greeting the players as they arrived at Flying Horse North for “moving day.” Up for grabs this week is the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Trophy, eight qualifying spots into the National PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in 2026, and a $75,000 purse, which is the largest purse in the history of the championship. Among the day one leaders to get an early start on day two was Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club. Keffer teed off at 8:00 am and got off to a tough start, bogeying three of his first six holes. “I just got some bad breaks on my opening nine, leading to the three bogies,” Keffer stated. A much-needed birdie on the 18th jump-started Keffer, and he carried that momentum on his closing nine. “I hit a couple close and had a couple of two-putt birdies [on the back nine],” Keffer stated. Keffer carded five birdies with no bogies on his back nine for a closing 31 and second round 69 to sit at seven-under-par for the Championship. Three back of Keffer’s lead is Ben Lanting, PGA Assistant Professional at Bear Creek Golf Club. “I feel very tired, rollercoaster is the only way to describe it,” Lanting said, after having another up-and-down day at Flying Horse North. Lanting carded an eagle, five birdies, two bogies, and two double bogies to card a one-under-par 71 for his second round and sit at four-under-par for the Championship and in the running to capture his first Colorado PGA Professional Championship title. “This one means the most to me out of anything I play in,” Lanting said, “I had a stretch of three seconds in a row [2021, 2022, 2023], and fifth last year, this is why I practice, this is why I work hard, to win the Section Championship would mean so much.” Then, as the afternoon wave had begun play, the storms rolled in and play was suspended at 2:45 pm. The delay would last two hours and eight minutes before play would ultimately resume at 4:53 pm. After the delay, temperatures had dropped a few degrees, and the sun began to poke its way through the clouds from time to time, but a soft golf course meant birdies were there for the taking. Players took advantage of the soft conditions with Dustin Miller, PGA Director of Instruction at The Swing Bays, Bill Hancock, PGA Assistant Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, Micah Rudosky, PGA Head Professional at Conquistador Golf Course, and Chris Hyten, PGA Assistant Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club all firing rounds under par to jump up multipe spots and into the Top 5 heading into the final round. Miller and Hyten finished at three and five under par, respectively, for the second round, putting them in a tie for second place at six-under-par and one shot behind Keffer. Miller’s round consisted of five birdies and two bogies. “I stayed patient throughout the round and didn’t try to force anything,” Miller said. “I knew when I could be aggressive and when I needed to stay with planned shots.”

Carlton (Legacy Ridge GC) & Keffer (Lakewood CC) Tied for the Lead After Day One

By Scott Minta • September 16, 2025
Colorado Springs, CO, September 15, 2025 - The 2025 Colorado PGA Professional Championship, hosted by Flying Horse North, kicked off on Monday, September 15th. This 54-hole tournament is the most prestigious championship for the PGA of America Golf Professionals of the Colorado PGA Section, dating back to 1958, with J.D. Taylor hoisting the trophy. This year’s championship includes 110 Professionals in the field representing golf facilities from across Colorado and Wyoming. Up for grabs this week is the Ralph “Rip” Arnold Memorial Trophy, eight qualifying spots into the National PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes in 2026, and an over $75,000 purse, which is the largest purse in the history of the championship. The co-leaders after the opening 18 holes were Joe Carlton, PGA Head Professional at Legacy Ridge Golf Course, and two-time section champion, Geoff Keffer, PGA Assistant Professional at Lakewood Country Club, after two brilliant rounds of four-under-par 68.

Maggie Hartman, PGA - We Are Golf

By Steven Bartowski • September 3, 2025
Q&A with Maggie Hartman, PGA

Colorado PGA of America Golf Professionals Mark Matz & Dustin Miller Headline 2025 Section Awards Class

By Steven Bartowski • August 12, 2025
29th Annual Colorado Section Awards Gala to be Held at Cherry Hills Country Club on October 24th

Carlock Captures His First Colorado PGA Major Championship

By Scott Minta • August 5, 2025
Keffer and Hardman to Join Carlock in the National PGA Assistant Professional Championship

Fitzgerald Goes Wire-to-Wire to Capture Senior Crown

By Scott Minta • July 30, 2025
Longmont, Colo . - What a difference a day makes as cloudy skies and cool temperatures greeted the players on day two of the Colorado Senior PGA Professional Championship, compared to hot and sunny temperatures during the opening round. Caine Fitzgerald, PGA Head Professional at Meadow Hills Golf Course, took a 3-shot lead into the final round after a 3-under-par 67 on day one. “The 3-under on day one was fortunate, the golf course is very difficult and is tough to make putts, Fitzgerald said.” Three back of Fitzgerald to start the day was the 2012 and 2013 senior champion, Doug Rohrbaugh, PGA Instructor at River Valley Ranch Golf Course, and four back was the 2022 and 2023 champion Matt Schalk, PGA General Manager at Colorado National Golf Club.

PGA REACH Colorado Foundation Honors Wounded Hero with its 12th Sponsored Mortgage-Free Home

By Steven Bartowski • July 30, 2025
Golf with a purpose: $110K Raised for Local Programming, One Hero Honored

Colorado PGA Professionals Give Back Through TEACH FORE REACH

By Steven Bartowski • July 30, 2025
Colorado PGA Professionals Give Back Through Teach Fore REACH

Colorado PGA Welcomes Two New At-Large Directors

By Steven Bartowski • June 25, 2025
On March 31, 2025, at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, CO, the Colorado PGA proudly welcomed two newly elected At-Large Directors during the Section’s annual Spring Membership Meeting. Drew Parr, PGA Head Professional at Castle Pines Golf Club, and Tristen Fay, PGA Head Professional at Fort Collins Country Club, were elected to serve on the Colorado PGA Section Board. Both will begin their three-year terms at the 2025 Fall Membership Meeting, bringing a shared commitment to leadership, service, and advancing the Section’s mission.