The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course was home to the USO’s 9th Annual Denver Golf Classic.  This annual event raises money to provide much needed support for American troops and their families.  The Color Guard – representing all branches of the Armed Forces – kicked off the tournament, which this year raised $25,000 for the USO.

Castle Pines resident Captain Brett Cottrell (far left) took a break from his busy schedule to enjoy a round of golf for a great cause.  Also in his foursome was Castle Pines resident and co-chair of the event Mary McCarthy (second from right) with her sister and husband.  The event raised approximately $25,000 for the USO.

Jim Benemann from CBS4 was the celebrity host for the golf fundraiser at The Ridge at Castle Pines North on July 20.

By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Darin Gabbert

On July 20 the USO hosted its 9th Annual Denver Golf Classic fundraiser at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course in Castle Pines (CP).  Founded in 1941, the USO is a nonprofit, non-government agency that supports American troops and their families.  

Jim Benemann, journalist from CBS4 was the celebrity host of what proved to be a beautiful and profitable day of golf.  One hundred twenty golfers, including active and retired military, participated in raising approximately $25,000 for the USO.  The tournament’s biggest sponsors were Southwest Airlines and Toyota.  Southwest donated all its golf spots to active duty military in lieu of employees playing in the tournament.

CP resident and active military Captain Brett Cottrell participated in the tournament.  Cottrell remarked, “I live in Winter Berry and The Ridge golf course comes right up next to my yard.  But I rarely have time to get out and golf since I’m busy dealing with the sailors.  I was invited to play because I am active military, which was nice.  The tournament was for a wonderful cause, and the USO is a great organization!”

Since back in the days when Bob Hope would travel to perform for the military, the USO is an organization that supports American troops domestic and abroad.  Whether it is assistance in connection to a loved one back home after deployment, providing entertainment for those deployed, aiding in rehabilitation for the wounded, or helping to guide a family through the difficult times following the loss of a soldier, the USO provides many levels of global assistance in numerous areas of the military.

In honor of the event, The Ridge golf course flags at the 9th and 18th holes were replaced with American flags.  

The Ridge Assistant General Manager Brandon Fowler noted, “There were flag bearers at each of these holes to remove the pins for the golfers as they approached, so the flag never hit the ground.  You don’t see that very often.  I thought that was a really nice touch!”

USO Denver International Airport center offers morale-boosting and family strengthening programs to military and their families who are based at Buckley Air Force Base as well as Northern Colorado and Wyoming.  

Cottrell remarked, “I’m very thankful and appreciative for the support the USO gives to those deployed throughout the globe and the family relief they offer.”  

To learn more about the USO or to make a donation, visit http://us.uso.org.