Information submitted by Dennis Murray

Free golf, free clubs for kids

As the US Kids Golf Foundation’s Denver local tour director, and director of instruction for Troon Golf and The Ridge at Castle Pines North, Dennis Murray and his staff are continuing their ongoing efforts to grow the game of golf through youngsters and their families with great new cost-effective opportunities.

The new Troon Family Golf Program at The Ridge allows youngsters fifteen and younger to play free golf when accompanied by an adult, paying regular fees after 3 p.m. The program is available for Ridge pass holders at the applicable pass holder rate after 5 p.m., seven days a week. The Troon Family Golf Program is based on availability, and restrictions may apply. Please call The Ridge golf shop at 303-688-4301 for details and tee times.

The Troon Family Golf Program also features the free use of Callaway golf junior clubs in complete sets for kids ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. A limited number of right- and left-handed boys and girls junior sets are available and can be reserved at no cost when calling the golf shop to reserve tee times. New sets of Callaway golf junior clubs can also be purchased in the golf shop. Please call the golf shop for more information.

The Ridge has added junior tee boxes to the front nine approximately 150 yards from the green. Juniors playing free in the Troon Family Golf Program must play from these tee boxes. When it is appropriate to maintain pace of play, adults are also encouraged to play with juniors from those tees.

Troon Golf and The Ridge share the common goal of becoming leaders in growing the game of golf for both families and juniors, in the golf industry as well as in the Denver area. In addition to moving in that direction with the Troon Family Golf Program, The Ridge is also the new headquarters for US Kids Golf Foundation’s Denver local tour. Kids ages 6 to 14 are eligible for the eight tournament tour.

A ninth event, the USKG World Qualifier is scheduled for June 30 at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver. Qualifiers will have an opportunity to compete in the USKG World Championship at the famous Pinehurst Resort in NC. Don’t miss an opportunity to play in the Pinehurst to Pinehurst event. (Visit www.uskidsgolf.com for details).

The Ridge will host two USKG events, including the Tour Championship on Sunday, August 15. Other Denver local tour stops begin June 7 at Pradera, June 14 at The Ridge, June 21 at Perry Park, July 7 at Highlands Ranch GC, July 12 at Plum Creek, July 19 at Deer Creek, and July 26 at Lone Tree.

For those wanting to learn how to play the game of golf, or play better golf in 2010, check out The Ridge Golf Academy and its UNCOMPLICATED GOLF School Philosophy. The Ridge caters to golfers of all ages, from 4 to 104. For more info, please visit www.playtheridge.com and click on the Golf Instruction link.