The Pikes Peak Linkers (PPL) program is a free junior golf program in Colorado Springs operated by the USGA Grants & Fellowship Office. All aspects of the program, including fundraising efforts, curriculum development, participant recruitment, fiscal planning and golf instruction, are overseen by the USGA Fellows. The 2007 season marked the tenth year of Linkers, and the program continues to be an opportunity for economically-disadvantaged kids in Colorado Springs to be exposed to golf and its inherent values. PPL also serves an integral element in the personal and professional development of USGA Fellows.

PPL participant Jordan Abbott tees off on hole number 1

Each year, PPL aims to reach 100 participants through its two sessions. Participants attend once a week for six weeks in the spring and receive one hour of instruction and limited time for on-course play. The summer session includes one hour of instruction, plus one hour of on-course play for nine weeks. PPL partners with the Cherokee Ridge Golf Course and staff to hold programming on its practice facilities and on its nine-hole, Par-3 golf course.

Golf course access outside of programming is emphasized through PPL, and every participant receives an access card for the Cherokee Ridge course that gains them free driving range balls and course access opportunities through the Kids on Course initiative. In addition to these benefits, Linkers with perfect attendance are awarded a set of golf clubs at the conclusion of the program.

USGA Fellow Matt Keys shares his time with three “Linkers.”

The 2007 Pikes Peak Linkers season retained many elements from previous years, but coupled those with fresh ideas. The program structure remained the same, but each meeting introduced the Linkers to a new life session and golf rule per week. A new fundraising event was added and the mentoring program, for PPL participants over the age of 13, underwent a transformation. The three main fundraising events for Linkers are the Texas Scramble golf tournament, the Dusk ‘til Down Golf-A-Thon, and the Linkers Tee-Off.

The Pikes Peak Linkers program offers USGA Fellows the opportunity to implement the mission of the USGA Grants initiative in Colorado Springs, namely, to expand the game of golf to individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to play.

For more information on Pikes Peak Linkers please contact Josh Gelfand at 719-471-4810 ext. 37 or email JGelfand@usga.org.