Posted by Michael | 1 Comment

Why Golf Is a Great Sport for Women to Try

Golf is an ever-evolving sport, and it’s not just for men looking to get away from doing chores and yard work. As we make our way into the 2013 season here at Garden of the Gods Club’s Kissing Camels Golf Course, we’re noticing that more and more women and children are getting involved in the sport.  If you’re a lady who has not yet given golf a try, or a female golfer who has been away from the game for a while, then I encourage you to read on! As an assistant golf professional, I’ve been able to observe the benefits of golf firsthand, and today I’d like to highlight just a few of the reasons why women should consider picking up golf or returning to the game after a hiatus.

1. Golf is a social game. Golf is different from many other sports in that you can gather one, two, three, or more of your friends and head to the course to play a non-competitive round of golf. Golf is a great way to spend a couple of hours with your best friend in the beautiful outdoors and then move into the clubhouse and have a cocktail, all while catching up, talking about the latest news, or gossiping.
2. Golf is a fashionable sport. Fashion has made its way into golf with a loud and thunderous bang, to the extent that how you look on the course has almost become more important than how well you play. I cannot even keep track of how many times a week I overhear ladies talking about what they are wearing or where they purchased something—or how many times ladies approach me on the range or in the pro shop to describe an outfit that they saw on television or a cute shirt and skort spotted on the course last weekend. Our merchandise manager, Jeanne, or any of us in the Golf Shop are committed to helping you look your best whether or not your game is up to par. Remember, when all else fails, we must look the part!
3. Golf can be great exercise. Health and fitness experts have agreed that walking is among the best forms of exercise available.  Walking the holes of a golf course can be a great way to get back into exercising or to get a quick walk in before the day gets away from you. Not only does golf get you the exercise you need, but it also allows you to do this outside while playing a sport with your friends or loved ones.
4. Golf can strengthen family bonds. There are few things more important to women than their families, and golf is a perfect way to strengthen family relationships. Golf is a game of all ages and skill levels, and it can be played after work or on the weekends when it’s most convenient for a busy working family.  Golf can be an excellent way to stay close with your significant other. My wife Becca and I often play a round together to escape from our troubles and simply go chase a little white ball around for a few hours.

Here at Kissing Camels Golf Course, we offer a variety of events designed to appeal to women golfers. This summer, for example, we will be offering a convenient, affordable group lesson series for women called “Get Golf Ready.”  Priced at just $99, each series includes five 90-minute lessons in a comfortable, non-intimidating environment. No golf clubs yet? No problem! We’ll have golf equipment available for participants to use during lessons. This particular lesson series is available to both Members and non-Members, though space is limited. For scheduling details or to sign up, please call the Golf Shop at 719.636.2520.

For Golf Members, Garden of the Gods Club offers both 9-hole and 18-hole ladies’ leagues that meet on Thursday mornings. In addition, we will be hosting a ladies-only twilight event on Friday, June 7, 2013. Golf will begin at 4:30 pm with appetizers to follow at 6:30 pm. The registration fee of $30 per golfer includes a tee gift, appetizers, and prizes. The format is a four-lady scramble, and participation will be limited to the first 15 teams to sign up.

So let go of any excuses, and make the summer of 2013 truly memorable by making it the season you first gave golf a try. You won’t regret it!

Read More

Posted by Michael | 0 Comments

What Golf Can Teach Us About Life

Golf does not only teach about swing mechanics or distance control, but it teaches valuable life lessons as well. Here are some of the skills and qualities that I have acquired by playing the game of golf:

Integrity:  Golf teaches honesty, behavior, and etiquette through playing with people with whom we are not familiar, competing in tournaments that involve consequences for cheating, and learning respect for the game’s rules and other players.  All of these values easily transfer to off-course settings.

Math Skills:  It seems simple, but in order to play golf, one needs to know how to add their scorecard. Too many times in the course of playing, people do not add their cards correctly. This applies mainly to junior golfers, but it can’t be ignored by adults.

Work Ethic:  Golf, as we all know, is a very difficult sport in which the only way to get better is by practice. As with any other kind of practice, there cannot be any shortcuts taken, as these will only surface later when it counts. By learning a good strong work ethic through golf, players are better equipped to handle everyday chores and work situations off the course.

For these reasons and more, golf is a great sport to encourage children to try!  This summer, Garden of the Gods Club will offer a variety of junior golf programs designed to introduce both Member and non-Member kids to the game of golf in an affordable, comfortable group setting.  Read on for details!

Get Tour Ready
This will be year two of our Get Tour Ready (GTR) program for kids ages eight to 16. GTR offers nine clinics and three course play sessions. Each clinic will cover a different part of the game, as well as etiquette, rules, and life lessons. Last year, 20 junior golfers participated, and we are expecting more children to join us this year! The registration fee is $250 for Member children and $300 for non-Member children.

PGA Sports Academy
We also will be holding two sessions of our Junior Sports Academy, one in June and one in July, lasting three days each from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. These classes are for kids ages eight to 14, and they much more intense than our other junior golf programs. Each academy is limited to the first 20 children to sign up, and the registration fee is $150 per child.

PGA Sports Academy Clinics
On various Thursdays throughout the summer, we will be offering complimentary half-hour group clinics for Member children ages seven and under.  Each clinic will focus on different golf clubs and will be limited to the first 12 children to RSVP.

For more information on junior golf programs at Garden of the Gods Club, please visit www.gardenofthegodsclub.com.

Read More

Posted by Michael | 0 Comments

5th Annual Halloween Broomstick Sale Today in the Golf Shop

Happy Halloween from Kissing Camels Golf Shop here at Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs. It’s that time of year again when witches are out, jack-o-lanterns are glowing, and ghosts are making the rounds. Here in the Golf Shop, the scene is no different. The shop is decorated for Halloween, but more importantly, the 5th annual Broomstick Sale is here!

Today (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) from 9 am to 5 pm, stop by the Golf Shop for treats and tricks, as well as some “killer” deals.  This sale is so great that the witch BROKE her broom getting ready for the big day! Shopping in your costume is strongly encouraged.

Get a jump on your holiday shopping by scoring some excellent prices on unique items.  In addition to golf clothing and equipment, we carry fashionable jewelry and accessories, home decor items, and more.

If you are not a Garden of the Gods Club Member or a Kissing Camels resident, let the security guards know that you’re headed to the Golf Shop, and we’ll get you through the gates.  If you have any other questions about today’s sale, please call us at 719.636.2520.  Hurry in before everything gets picked to the bone!

Read More

Posted by Michael | 0 Comments

Memorial Day Event

The unofficial beginning of summer is here, with Memorial Day weekend just behind us!  Here at Kissing Camels Golf Course, we celebrated Memorial Day by hosting our annual Memorial Day Golf Tournament.  The format was individual stroke play.  This year, tee times went from 8 am to 2 pm, with more than 50 participants!  This was an individual low gross low net game in which players competed from the tees they chose. The weather was just right for the event, with a sky full of sun and a cool breeze. Many players were festively dressed in red, white, and blue, as was our golf course, which featured an American flag at each pin.  Results will be posted on our Members Only website and sent out soon via an e-blast. Our next patriotic golf tournament will be on the 4th of July, and we’ll host a third one on Labor Day.  We hope to see you there!

Read More

Posted by Michael | 0 Comments

Recap of Our 2nd Annual Colorado AvidGolfer Private Club Day at Kissing Camels

On Friday, May 11, 2012, Garden of the Gods Club’s Kissing Camels Golf Course hosted our second annual Colorado AvidGolfer Private Club Day, an event that provides the magazine’s readers with the opportunity to play a private course that they otherwise may not get to play.  While the weather for last year’s event on Friday the 13th was perfect, we experienced a bit of a cold front in Colorado Springs this time around.  Friday the 11th was a cool and dreary day with the temps in the mid-40s to mid-50s and a bit of drizzle in the later part of the day.

Despite the cool and wet weather, 117 of 120 registered players showed up to play–a great turnout!  We did have a few people transfer into our May 21 “overflow” event. We provided players with a barbecue lunch buffet  in Kissing Camels Grille.  Choices included hot dogs, brats, and burgers, and we heard nothing but great compliments about the food. After lunch, the players enjoyed a round and then headed over to Garden of the Gods Club’s Sunrise Room for an elegant dinner, during which we raffled off prizes, including a year-long trial membership, a Lodge stay, and spa gift baskets. Overall, this event was a success–so much so that we’ll be hosting a second one held on May 21st!  Thanks to everyone who joined us.

If you’d like to learn more about our golf memberships, please contact Tracey Kalata at 719-520-4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.  Guest of our Lodge also have complete access to all of the amenities our private club has to offer–including the golf course.  To learn more, visit www.lodgeatggclub.com.

Read More