The CGA — along with Hiwan Golf Club in Evergreen — was more than happy to step in and fill the void when safety concerns led officials from the boys Junior America’s Cup to move the tournament from Mazatlan, Mexico this year.
But the short turnaround time for hosting a major international junior tournament does present some challenges, especially considering the change was finalized in mid-March for an event scheduled for July 27-29 at Hiwan.
Normally, golf associations that participate in the Junior America’s Cup know many, many years in advance when they’ll host the JAC. In the case of the CGA, it was slotted in for 2016. But with the volatile situation in Mexico, what was a five-year timeline became condensed into less than five months.
One of the issues is the money involved with hosting such an event. Tournament entry fees paid by participants — 17 four-person teams from the western U.S., western Canada and Mexico — cover some of the costs, but the host association agrees to make up the difference. However, given the late change in tournament plans, the money involved wasn’t in the 2011 CGA budget.
With that in mind, Hiwan has agreed to host a Junior America’s Cup fundraising event to help offset some of the expenses. The fundraiser has been set for Monday, June 27, with an 11:30 a.m. lunch, followed by a 1:15 p.m. shotgun-start tournament.
“Anybody can come out, if they want to support Junior America’s Cup and play a great course,” said Dustin Jensen, director of youth programs for the CGA and also a member of the JAC Executive Committee.
The cost to participate in the fundraiser is $85, which includes golf, practice balls, lunch and the possibility to win prizes. Those interested can call Hiwan at 303-674-3369 or e-mail head professional Kyle Heyen at kyle@hiwan.com.
Jensen said the CGA, which last hosted the Junior America’s Cup in 1999, has been “forward-thinking” regarding the next JAC in Colorado, setting aside several thousand dollars each year in anticipation of hosting the tournament in 2016. Now, with Colorado’s host year moved to 2011, the association will continue to set aside that amount, but now “we’ll just pay ourselves back.”
The Junior America’s Cup competition involves three rounds of tournament play (July 27-29), but that’s far from the extent of the event.
Competitors will arrive on Monday (July 25) and meet their Hiwan-area host families for the week. On Tuesday (July 26), golfers will play their practice rounds, then they’ll don their association coat and tie and participate in opening ceremonies, which are open to the public and are not unlike those at the Ryder Cup. The national anthems for the U.S., Canada and Mexico are played, and the competitors all parade in and are introduced, and some speeches are made.
Afterward, a dinner for 150-200 people is held, and a to-be-determined keynote speaker will address those in attendance.
After the first tournament round on July 27, a putting competition will be held on the putting green, and the club pool will be open to competitors. Then immediately following the completion of play on July 29, the closing ceremonies will be held, where the team and individual champions are recognized.
All in all, “The players love it,” said Jensen, who has captained every Colorado boys JAC team since 2005 (the 2010 Colorado team is pictured above). “It’s completely different than what they normally play in. Though there’s an individual medalist, the real focus is on the team atmosphere. And the kids are serious about (the competition).”
The four players who will represent Colorado will be named on July 8, Jensen said, but he hopes that the great majority of logistical issues regarding the tournament are taken care of by June 1.
“The more that’s done by then, the better,” he said. “With our (CGA) schedule and Hiwan’s, it’s hard to keep your head above water” after that date.
