As the Pioneer men’s and women’s golf teams begin their respective 2012 seasons, they do so at their new home course at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club. The course, now owned by DU, not only features the varsity golf teams, but also offers discounted rates to DU alumni, staff and students.
According to men’s head coach Eric Hoos, the acquisition of the course has not only helped current members of the team; it has also helped the recruitment of new student athletes as well.
On Aug. 26, 2011, the DU men’s and women’s golf teams officially announced their new home at Highlands Ranch, located roughly 12 miles from campus in Littleton. As of Jan. 1, the semi-private club is now owned by the university, via a gift from the family of Ron Moore.
Valued at $5.2 million, the course is the second largest donation to the athletics department since its founding in 1867 and is the latest in a long line of generous donations from the Moore family and the Ronald L. Moore Endowed Fund.
“The whole family is just incredible,” said men’s head golf coach Eric Hoos. “We would not be where we are [as a golf program] without them. I can’t thank them enough.”
Ron Moore, a member of both the University of Denver Athletic Hall of Fame and the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, played for the Pioneers beginning in 1951. Moore earned a great deal of success at DU, qualifying for the NCAA National Tournament in 1952, 1953 and 1954.
When Moore opened Highlands Ranch Golf Club in 1998, he tabbed Andy Benson as the head golf pro, a man that had worked with the Moores at various clubs across the nation. Benson, who is still the head pro, said that Ron would be proud to see that the club has officially been handed over to DU.
“His dream was to somehow help the university to have a golf course,” said Benson. “He was putting together a plan to build the university a course.”
Unfortunately, Moore was unable to finish his plan, as he passed away in 2003. However, his family continues on with his love of golf and of DU as well.
“[Ron] was very thankful for the opportunities DU and DU golf gave him,” said Benson.
It appears that, even now, he has not ceased giving back to his alma mater. According to Hoos, the course is in great shape and is one of his favorites in the area. The gift not only gives the Pioneers a course to call their home, but it has also helped gain recruits and raise funds for the golf program.
“We are blessed by the generosity of Ron Moore’s family,” said vice chancellor for athletics and recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes. “This partnership is a living tribute to his memory.”
The course is open to the public and offers discounted rates to DU alumni, staff and students. Benson also said that the course is looking to increase its visibility at the university and to attract not only daily golfers from the DU community, but events as well.
“We’ve been having them [DU students and faculty] around,” said Benson. “The word was starting to get out [in spring 2012]. We had students getting out of class buzzing down here to play.”
Hoos, in conjunction with Benson and other staff at the club, is looking to make a couple of slight adjustments to the course. Possibilities include new tee boxes to lengthen the course and a larger practice area at the end of the driving range.
“It is very special to have a golf course that is in such great shape,” said Hoos.
The Pioneer men’s team kicked off their season in Fort Collins last week, finishing fourth at the Ram Masters. Junior Chun-Ji Kim shot a (+2) 212 over the course of the three-day tournament.
The women’s team will start their season this week in Edwards, Colo., at the Golfweek Conference Challenge.