Since 1999, the Western Colorado Golf Foundation has raised money to assist junior golfers on the Western Slope with financial assistance for post-secondary education. 

Steamboat golf professional recently Luke Brosterhous traveled to Grand Junction for the foundation’s annual cup match at Bookcliff Country Club to raise money for the foundation. 

The match pits the top 10 amateurs and professionals in the state against each others to vie for bragging rights and support young golfers in the area. For just the second time since 2014, the professionals defeated the amateurs in the match. 

“The primary aim of the cup matches is to raise money for the Western Colorado Golf Foundation, and that foundation provides scholarships to graduating seniors that have played high school golf on the Western Slope,” Brosterhous explained. 

The foundation has granted scholarships to 129 recipients since its inception with over $200,000 going to those golfers. 

Golfers in Northwest Colorado can apply for the scholarship through wcgfgolf.org if they meet the following criteria:

• The student must be in their senior year of public or private school located on the Western Slope and admitted to an accredited college or university on a full-time basis. 
• The student must be a participating member of a high school varsity golf team or junior golf association.
• The scholarship money shall be used for books, fees and tuition expenses. 
• Students applying for a scholarship must complete an application form and submit to an interview.

The foundation’s scholarship committee takes factors such as SAT and ACT scores, financial need, community service, contribution to the golf community, competitive golf experience and letters of recommendation into consideration for recipients. 

Brosterhous was president of the west chapter of the Colorado PGA board last year and was a major contributor in supporting cup matches and being a liaison to the Colorado PGA, which Brosterhous says commits a lot of money to the foundation. 

Applications must be submitted by March 1 for scholarships to be awarded in the fall term. The scholarship committee will review applications and reach out for interviews by March 31. Recipients will be notified by April 15. 

“It’s a great opportunity for anyone who has played on the high school golf team,” Brosterhous said. “The application is pretty straightforward, they are just looking to support these kids who have played golf on the Western Slope as they move into college.”