Shining Mountain Golf Course Gearing up for Friday Opening
City Finalizes Contract with Local Company For Managing Operations; Taking Control of Pro Shop
Trevor Phipps
Ever since the city approved the purchase of the Shining Mountain golf course in Woodland Park and its associated property, encompassing a nearly 400-acre area, links fever locally has exploded.
And couple that seizure with the conclusion of the recent Masters golf tourney, probably the sports’ most popular professional major championship in the world, and you now have a golf-crazed area.
Despite a recent community meeting that left more questions than answers, area golf enthusiasts are now happy that the 18-hole course is on par to open up this week, unless Mother Nature delivers a few tricks.
Better yet, outdoor buffs are learning more details about what is in store this season, the first time the city’s golf course will operate under the city of Woodland Park’s banner.
Earlier this month, city officials announced that they had picked a local company, with ties to the community and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, to run the golf course and pro shop. Out of the four companies who submitted a bid to operate Shining Mountain’s links operations, the Monumental Golf Group got the overwhelming nod as the company that met the city’s standards.
In fact, the city staff chose to go with Monumental Golf Group partly because the company was considered the most local-friendly option The city staff also believed that the golf group’s proposal aligned best with the city’s intent. The fact that both of Monument’s main operators have experience running PGA-led programs also helped them secure the contract.
Monumental Golf Group is a new company that is owned by PGA (Professional Golf Association) professionals Jon Husby of Woodland Park and Mark Bacheldor of Monument. The two currently work for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Between the two of them, they have over 20 years of combined experience with Bacheldor serving as a head golf professional at the successful military-operated Eisenhower Golf Course located at the Air Force Academy. Husby has held the same position as Bacheldor at the Cheyenne Shadows Golf Club at Fort Carson and the Silver Spruce Golf Course at Peterson Space Force Base.
Moreover, Husby has previous experience working at the Shining Mountain course. Husby has run golf events at SM, and has given lessons to new golfers and more experienced players.
“We have a lot of thoughts and plans to get into place really quickly here,” Husby told the city council. “But we are excited to really make Shining Mountain a community asset. And to do that, we really want to lean into the instructional space and provide programming. Get the kids out there, families out there and couples out there. So that is one of our main goals is to build community through player development, engaging players and building players here in our community. So, we’re excited to do that!”
Following their presentation at an earlier meeting, Councilman Seth Bryant told his peers that he has experienced what Husby can do when it comes to golf education for children, after doing volunteer work with the golf pro through the Junior PGA program. “We have tried to get some of the elementary school students involved with golf,” Bryant told his fellow council members. “So, I have seen first-hand the kind of instructional building he can do and the excitement he can bring to new players. So, I am very excited about this!”
Events Planned for Kids and Ladies
After the city council voted unanimously to give the reins of the course to Husby and Bacheldor, maintenance crews have been attempting to get the course into tip-top shape. This will become one of the most daunting challenges the new golf management company faces, as the course encountered many maintenance woes over the last few years. These concerns were made loud and clear during a community meeting on the city’s plans for Shining Mountain.
National statistics indicate these demographics are where the sport has expanded its reach. The COVID epidemic also established a big boom in the number of new players, many of whom sought to check out links activity for outdoor exercise and socializing.
Since both work for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) and are involved in teaching college students how to operate golf courses, education has been a major focus for the Monument company operators. They plan to conduct six-week educational courses for kids and women.
For the little ones, the golf group is offering two six-week instructional-series courses for kids as young as 5-years old. “These sessions focus on building fundamentals in a fun, engaging environment, covering everything from putting and chipping to full swings and on-course play,” Husby said in a social media post.
Starting on May 17, the Chip & Rip Rangers course reserved for ages 5 to 11 will take place from noon to 1 p.m. The Junior Elevate Series for kids aged 12 to 17 will then run from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Then taking place on the same Sundays as the kids’ courses, the Ladies Chip & Sip starts at 3 p.m. “A perfect blend of instruction, socializing, and on-course experience!” the social media post states. “Whether you’re new or looking to sharpen your skills, this relaxed and welcoming series is for you.”
