Recent Articles from Susan Fornoff
The Power of eClub Membership in the Colorado Golfing World: Reviving the Colorado Golf Association
When Colorado Golf Association membership growth landed in a bunker around about 2000, it couldn’t climb out. Ho, hum, 18 years of stagnation. Then came the 2020 pandemic and the golf explosion. By then, the CGA was ready to roll into high gear with its high-tech tool, the eClub membership. “It used to be, you’d […]
How Colorado’s Golf Heroes are Tackling Staffing Shortages, Inflation and Record Traffic to Keep Courses Lush Despite Challenges
First, they had to grow grass despite a drought. Then, they worked through a pandemic. Now, they’re facing staffing shortages and inflation, with record numbers of feet trampling their work every day. “It’s absolutely amazing to me the condition golf courses are in,” says Colorado Golf Association Executive Director Ed Mate. “I think about how […]
Meet Kelly Huff: Colorado’s Unconventional Golf Instructor with a TrackMan Advantage
Kelly Huff has tattoos and no PGA teaching credentials, which means he’s not your typical golf instructor. Yet, if you want to book time with him, you’d better be on the South Broadway Country Club website the third Monday of every month, when his calendar opens promptly at 9 a.m. It’s not quite as difficult […]
6 Indoor Golfing Spaces to Book Your Tee Time in 2023
With more than 30 indoor golf facilities serving up everything from cocktails to lessons to corporate event space, Colorado offers plenty of choices. Here’s a sample of Front Range options. Reservations are recommended for evening and weekend bays; it’s best to bring your own clubs and wear comfortable shoes. South Broadway Country Club 2265 South […]
Inside Colorado’s Post-Pandemic Golf Goldrush
At South Broadway Country Club, Kelly Huff is preparing to franchise his five-year-old business combining TrackMan bays, instruction and a cocktail bar. Joe Lynch and Winston Manley are so jazzed with the inaugural year of The Local Drive in RiNo, they’re set for expanding this year into Longmont and beyond. And still to open in […]
Brother, Can You Spare a Round?
Green fee coupons and punch cards. Walk-on primetime rounds and twilight deals. Group discounts. Wink-wink sales pitches from private clubs. And, best of all, beautiful, birdie-bearing conditions on golf courses private, public and municipal. Colorado golfers, the golf industry wanted us that badly. Course operators tried everything, from luring newbies with introductory clinics — some […[...]
Your 2021 Executive Golf Guide
The game that annually reports flat participation suddenly experienced an overall rise of 20% in rounds and revenue. Nationally, it’s estimated that 500,000 newbies took up the game. “The pandemic,” said Colorado Golf Association executive director Ed Mate, “was golf’s stimulus plan. No one saw this one coming. Now the question is: Can we keep it up, or is this just going to be a blip an[...]
Stuck on a hanger: Colorado bounce-back companies
Is the suit and tie another COVID-19 casualty? The question of how the post-pandemic consumer will shop for clothes – where, when and for what? – confounds everyone from shop owner to manufacturer to landlord to forecaster.
Topgolf eyes growth beyond the Front Range
The golf establishment ridiculed Topgolf when it was launched in the United States in 2005 (first stop: Alexandria, Virginia) by twins Steve and Dave Jolliffe. But by the time it opened its Centennial venue in 2015, No. 20 of the brand, the USGA and PGA had embraced Topgolf as the top grower of “real” golfers.
Building the brand that is Jennifer Kupcho
The 22-year old golfer, Jennifer Kupcho, shares her journey from Westminster's Ranch Country Club to playing in 19 professional tournaments on the LPGA Tour, in which she made more money than all but 38 players. And now, she's gearing up to play in 26 tournaments.
Golf course real estate makes a comeback in the mountains
There are hazards that come with golf course real estate anywhere, but when it comes to mountain golf real estate in Colorado, there are unique points to consider including proximity to ski resorts, unpredictable golf seasons and more.
Tee time Nearing for City Park
Todd Schoeder straps on his hardhat and picks up the can of paint he uses to draw notes and directions on the newly sprouting grass of City Park’s fairways and greens