Program Continues to Evolve While Expanding Its Impact on Young People Across the Centennial State
(GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.) – The Colorado Golf Association (CGA) is proud to begin the 15th season of the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, marking a significant milestone for a program that has become a fixture in Colorado golf and a life-changing opportunity for hundreds of young people.
Since its inception in 2012, the academy has served more than 800 unique participants who have completed nearly 30,000 caddie loops at courses across the state. Based on an estimated six miles walked per 18-hole round, participants have collectively covered close to 180,000 miles – the equivalent of seven trips around the Earth’s equator.
The academy’s long-term impact is perhaps best illustrated through the success of its Evans Scholarship recipients. To date, 71 program alumni have attended the University of Colorado Boulder by earning this prestigious recognition from the Western Golf Association. The scholarship covers four years of tuition plus room and board, representing an estimated $9 million in total support.
To be considered for acceptance to the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy, applicants need to have completed the eighth grade, show family financial need and demonstrate academic excellence (minimum 3.0 GPA). No golf experience is necessary, but a willingness to learn and a positive attitude are musts.
“For 15 years, this program has demonstrated the transformative power of golf,” said Ed Mate, CEO of the Colorado Golf Association. “Some of our very best caddies had never stepped foot on a golf course before joining the academy. What begins as a summer job opportunity becomes a pathway to education, leadership development, career readiness and personal growth.”
As the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy’s impact continues to grow, the CGA remains committed to enhancing the experience for both caddies and golfers through thoughtful program innovation.
Among the most significant changes for 2026 is the introduction of the Solich Mentor Program at Aurora’s CommonGround Golf Course. Designed to create a more gradual and supportive transition for first-year caddies, the initiative provides an entire summer of structured training before participants graduate to full 18-hole championship-course loops.
Throughout the season, first-year caddies will receive hands-on instruction on CommonGround’s par-3 course and gain experience through supervised nine-hole loops alongside a group of volunteer mentors. Second-year caddies will continue to carry bags on the 18-hole championship course, ensuring golfers receive service from experienced loopers and newcomers develop confidence and skills in a supportive environment.
The CGA and Colorado Golf Foundation have also enhanced financial support for caddies and golfers alike. Both caddie fees and gratuities are now fully subsidized at CommonGround, a facility owned and operated by the CGA. Doing so will help to further encourage caddie use while ensuring academy participants earn compensation comparable to other opportunities in the region.
Off the course, the Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy continues to strengthen its educational curriculum. In addition to weekly lessons focused on financial literacy, character development and leadership skills, the program now incorporates an online classroom platform that allows instructors to better measure engagement and tailor lessons to participant needs.
Moreover, to further deepen participants’ connection to the game, CommonGround caddies will now receive weekly golf instruction from Steve O’Brien, PGA, the CGA’s manager of caddie programs. The lessons are designed to help participants become not only stronger caddies, but lifelong golfers and ambassadors for the sport.
“We’re incredibly proud of the hundreds of young people who have come through the academy, and are committed to continually evolving the program to create even greater opportunities for future generations,” added Mate, a former Evans Scholar who joined the CGA in 2000. “Every round with a caddie is an investment in a young person’s future. The support of our golfers, volunteers and partners has made this program what it is today, and we are grateful for everyone who helps make these life-changing experiences possible.”
As the 2026 season gets underway, the CGA encourages golfers to consider taking a caddie. In addition to CommonGround, other public golf facilities with Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy programming are Tiara Rado and Lincoln Park, both in Grand Junction. A collection of private clubs across the Front Range support the program as well.
The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs also offers the academy curriculum through The Broadmoor Caddie & Leadership Academy.
Visit here for more information about the CGA’s commitment to caddies and how it is changing the lives of juniors across the Centennial State.
About the Colorado Golf Association
The Colorado Golf Association (CGA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting, promoting and preserving the game of golf throughout Colorado. Serving more than 125,000 members, the CGA conducts championships, administers the World Handicap System, develops programs that expand access to the game and supports charitable initiatives through the Colorado Golf Foundation. Through its commitment to player development, community engagement and lifelong participation in golf, the CGA works to ensure a healthy future for the game across the state. For more information, visit coloradogolf.org and follow @coloradogolf (Instagram).
