Renaissance Golf Design supports the caddie program at CommonGround

While I had already played both courses at Streamsong Resort in November, I didn’t hesitate a second when Tom Doak invited me to return to Streamsong in late January to participate in his company’s Renaissance Cup. This annual event is played in two-man teams and always draws a crowd that is the “cream of the crop“ in golf – golf course owners, developers, superintendants, golf writers and golf architecture buffs (like myself, I should say).

While I managed to qualify for the event by knocking my approach stiff on the by-hole (five 2-man teams hit tee shots, closest to hole got into the tournament), my partner and I were kicked out in the first round. However, I was just delighted and honored to be part of the event and I tremendously enjoyed playing the Red and Blue courses with old friends and new playing partners.

While I consider every participant of the Renaissance Cup to be a “winner“ (as they all got to play both courses), the real winner is the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy at the Renaissance-designed CommonGround Golf Course near Denver, CO. Each and every player made a $100 donation to their program.

The Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy was launched in 2012 and supports underpriviledged kids in the Denver area. A total of 28 kids, ages 13 to 16, were a part of the Academy last year.

Caddie grants will be provided to give kids a chance to learn the caddie trade, develop skills that they will use both on and off the golf course and a potential path to qualify for the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship at the University of Colorado. Depending on the caddies ability after one or two years in the Academy they will move onto other Caddie Clubs throughout the Greater Denver area.

So Tom Doak and his Renaissance Golf Design team aren’t only among the best architects (they have been among my personal favorites for a number of years), they also do something good for the community. I can’t wait to play CommonGround (as I have never played it) and I would love to have one of the Academy’s kids caddie for me.