It was just coincidence that CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora opened the same year that the Walking Golfers Society was founded, in 2009. But even so, it seems only appropriate.
CommonGround, which is owned and operated by the CGA and CWGA, was built to be walker-friendly, and 50 percent of players walk the course, according to director of golf Dave Troyer. It’s also one of the few public courses in Colorado to have a full-fledged caddie program — via the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy.
So it’s not at all surprising that the Walking Golfers Society is planning a “gathering” at CommonGround this Saturday afternoon (June 29).
“I know (CommonGround has) done more than any other course in the state to promote walking,” said Susan Schmidt, who organized this weekend’s golf event. “And they promote the (Evans Caddie) Scholarship program.”
A small but committed group of players has signed up to participate this weekend, including one person who is flying in from New York City. All plan to take caddies from the CommonGround-based Solich Academy.
Rob Rigg, founder of the Walking Golfers Society, said the event Saturday will be one of four or five that will be held under the Society’s banner in 2013. Though this will be the Society’s first stop at CommonGround, it has held an event at Ballyneal Golf Club in Holyoke, and plans to do so again in August.
“It would be fantastic to make (CommonGround) an annual occurrence because we want to support walker-friendly public courses with innovative young caddie programs as much as possible,” Rigg noted. “The Solich Caddie & Leadership program is wonderful and something that we hope other metro public courses will consider implementing in the future.”
Rigg said his long-term goal is to have 20-25 Walking Golfers Society events around the country each year.
He added that the goal of the Society “is to promote the many benefits of walking when you golf.”
Schmidt, founder and designer of SASsy Golf Bags, not only is organizing this weekend’s event, but she’ll be an enthusiastic participant.
“I think walking is the way to go,” she said. “It improves your game and keeps you more focused. And these gatherings bring together people who have a common interest in walking. It’s pretty cool.”
