When Finsterwald pulled the leather bag from the trunk of his car several months before the opening, Wellington was taken back by the size.  “I couldn’t believe it; the bag looks no more than 2 ½ feet long, like a junior bag.”  Finsterwald explained that, “In those days our travel between tournaments was by automobile.  You didn’t need a golf bag that would stand up.  So if you had a bag that would kind of collapse, as this one does, you could fit it in your trunk – folding it this way or that way.”

Exhibits include a dynamic six-panel time line illustrated with photographs, documents and artifacts that detail Colorado golf history by decades.  An “Early History” panel features a golf club which belonged to Willie Campbell, the professional at Patty Jewett Golf Club in 1910.  Other professionals featured in the exhibits include Ed Dudley, “Rip” Arnold, Charles “Vic” Kline, Bill Bisdorf, Bill Loeffler, Dave Hill and Warren Smith.

Additional panels cover the history of the prestigious Colorado Open, The International - played annually at Castle Pines Golf Club, and major championships conducted in Colorado, including the 1938, 1960 and 1978 U.S. Open Championships, and the 1941, 1967 and 1985 PGA Championships.  One display showcases a bag, scorecard, and signed flag from Coloradoan Steve Jones, the 1996 U.S. Open Champion.

The walls of the Center, which span two stories, feature original charcoal and pencil drawings by J.D. Hillberry of Westminster Colorado, honoring the 29 golf professionals who are members of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.  Oil portraits by Denver artist, Gene Boyer, commemorate eight Colorado PGA Professionals who have won national PGA of America awards.  Elegant wood plaques with brass plates honor winners of the Section’s sixteen annual awards, including Professional of the Year, Player of the Year and Teacher of the Year. 

Noted historical consultant, Karen Bednarski, former curator of the USGA Museum and former director of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was commissioned to design the historical area.  She collaborated with Condit Exhibits, a Denver-based exhibit company, who fabricated and installed the exhibits.

Denise Bassett, Director of Operations for the Colorado Section PGA, was in charge of the collection process, which proved to be one of the biggest challenges the Colorado PGA faced.  “I think what was amazing was how much people throw away,” said Bassett.  “But everyone was receptive, and they were very pleased when they came down for the opening.”  Bassett expects that more people will loan or donate items to the Historical Center now that it is a reality.

Wellington considers the Historical Center a work in progress.  “The great thing about these exhibits are they will constantly evolve and change and the people that come down here in any given year might see one thing one year and might see something totally different the next year.  That’s our goal.” 

Wellington added, “When you think of Colorado golf, you think of the scenery and beautiful courses, but you also think of the people who have made golf in Colorado what it is.  We wanted to pay tribute to both the prestigious golfers and the grassroots golf professionals behind the counters who are teaching the game every day.”

There is no admission charge to the Colorado PGA Section Historical Center and Wellington is hopeful that the 23,000 to 24,000 people that come to Bear Dance to play golf will stay an extra 10 or 15 minutes or come early to look at the Historical center.  He also hopes that curiosity seekers and golf historians will come see what they’ve created, even if they don’t come to play.

The Colorado PGA Section Historical Center is located at The Golf Club at Bear Dance, 6630 Bear Dance Road, Larkspur, CO 80118.  Phone:  303-681-0742.