Women's Golf Week debuts at Keystone on Saturday

KEYSTONE - Free golf instruction is normally about as rare as a free lunch, but it's coming soon to a course near you.

National Women's Golf Week is around the corner and Keystone Resort's golf courses plan to recognize it with free lessons for ladies.

The inaugural event, which is co-sponsored by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), will take place June 3-9.

"The industry is recognizing the growing market in women's golf," Keystone spokesperson Amy Kemp said. "The LPGA has really taken off in part because of young players like Michelle Wie who most Americans know."

Keystone's four pros - Amy Gustafson, Jeff Hill, Tom Anderson and Phil Tobias - will provide daily clinics from 11 a.m. until noon for seven consecutive days, beginning Saturday.

Each day will be devoted to a different aspect of golf and golfers of all abilities are welcome.

"We're really not sure how many women to expect," Gustafson said. "But we won't turn anyone away."

Keystone's seven free clinics will alternate between the resort's two golfing locations - the River Course and the Ranch Course.

"We want to sell both of them," Gustafson said.

The topic for the first lesson, which will be taught at the Ranch Course, is pre-swing setup and an introduction to golf. In the following sessions, pros will address full swing basics, chipping, putting, sand play, pitch shots and finally golf etiquette and rules.

Although Women's Golf Week is the first of its kind, Keystone's ladies programs have been in place for several seasons.

"Our female membership grows every year," Gustafson said. "A lot of women come to our Ladies Saturdays and Sundays. They like it because it allows them to play in a non-competitive environment."

According to Golf for Women magazine, Keystone's River Course has a lot to offer the female population.

"We were voted ninth on the list of the top-10 female-friendly courses in America," Gustafson said. "We've been in the top 10 since the course opened in 2000."

The River Course earned its ranking because it's "extremely playable," Gustafson said. "Ladies have different tee boxes to choose from so newer golfers can play a shorter game if they want to. A lot of (women) come off the course and say it's the best round they've ever played. They usually score well and they're excited."

Take Your Daughter to the Course Week is another national event that will be featured at Keystone this summer. Beginning July 10, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week will allow girls under the age of 18 to play for free with a paying adult after 2 p.m.

"We want families to enjoy playing golf together," Kemp said. "And this will be a very affordable way of getting youngsters into the sport."



Adam Boffey can be contacted at (970) 668-4634, or at aboffey@summitdaily.com.