DENVER, March 27, 2008 – Clayton Cole, the head golf professional at the prestigious Cherry Hills Country Club outside of Denver, Colo., will retire March 31, 2008 after a notable career as a PGA professional.
Cole began his career as an assistant golf professional in 1970 at Cherry Hills Country Club after a brief stint on the PGA Tour. He was named the head professional at Dallas Country Club in 1974 where he remained for 12 years. He moved to Austin in 1986 to become Director of Golf/ Vice President of Operations at the Lakeway Company and then returned to Cherry Hills Country Club in 1991 as head golf professional.
“Clayton Cole is the consummate PGA Professional,” said Jeff Riggs, past president of Cherry Hills Country Club and board member. “Since 1991, Clayton has led the golf operation at Cherry Hills Country Club with the charisma and strength of the Southern gentleman that he is. Clayton has been a teacher, mentor and encourager to our membership at Cherry Hills for the better part of a generation. Clayton’s friendships and deep roots to the membership will transcend his retirement. All of us are celebrating his retirement with him and will watch with great anticipation the next stage of his life. Congratulations and thanks to Clayton from all of the members and his friends at Cherry Hills Country Club.”
Cole has made significant contributions to the game throughout his 38-year career. His peers have recognized him for his outstanding contributions in developing and improving education and employment opportunities for golf professionals in the Colorado PGA. During his tenure as a head professional, Cole has trained and mentored 11 assistants that have gone on to become head professionals at some of the top 100 clubs in the country. He has also been very active in growing the game of golf at the junior level through instructional and competitive programs.
Cole has won a number of section and national awards throughout his career. Awards include Northern Texas PGA Professional of the Year, Colorado PGA Section Senior Player of the Year, Colorado PGA Horton Smith Award, Colorado PGA Bill Strausbaugh Award, Colorado PGA Warren Smith Award and Golf World’s “100 Best Golf Shops”. In 2003, Cole was elected into the Colorado Hall of Fame.
“My career has been one that has exceeded my expectations in every way,” said Cole. It began growing up with my father, Winnie Cole, a PGA Professional, to playing the game, teaching, golf shop management, and PGA of America involvement. I cannot think of a more rewarding career. The friends and business associates that I have met over the years has been wonderful.”
Contact:
Jackie Beck, 860.304.3643, jackiebeck00@hotmail.com
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