The Walking Golfers Society is excited to announce that, after receiving an overwhelming number of nominations, “The 2013 Walking Golfer of the Year” has been awarded to The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy.
The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy was founded in 2012 by George and Geoff Solich, and launched in partnership with the Colorado Golf Association. The Academy recruits lower-income youth to learn and benefit from golf through caddying. In other words, we believe it is exactly the type of program that courses and clubs around the country should be aspiring to replicate!
The Solich Academy is housed at CommonGround Golf Course, an affordable public facility located in the heart of Denver that is owned and operated by the Colorado Golf Association and Colorado Women’s Golf Association. The Academy provides a 10-week summer program to approximately 30 teens a year, offering caddie training as well as leadership and community service opportunities. A top priority for the Academy is to provide a path for teens to an Evans Scholarship. Both George and Geoff Solich were Evans Scholars and it is fantastic that they have decided to “pay it forward” in a really big way.
The Walking Golfers Society will work to support The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, and any other similar programs, through fund raising efforts tied to our events and The Hundred Hole Hike. For the 5th year, “The Walking Golfer of the Year” award will be sponsored by The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, which will craft a beautiful MacKenzie Walker golf bag to be presented, along with a commemorative plaque, to the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy.
I would like to recognize individuals who were nominated by a Society member for their passion to enjoy the walk as often as possible, regardless of age – Madge Bouchier (86 y/o), Peter Pfenning (82 y/o), and Ron Steele (71 y/o). Madge, Peter and Ron – You are an inspiration to us all!
The recipients of The Walking Golfer of the Year to date are:
2009 – Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
2010 – The Evans Scholars Program sponsored by the WGA
2011 – Jim Colton – Founder of The Hundred Hole Hike
2012 – Tom Doak & Renaissance Golf Design
2013 – The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy at CommonGround
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