SOLICH CADDIE AND LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
About the Academy: Founded in 2012 at CommonGround Golf Course, the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy creates opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and enhance character through a foundation built around caddying.
Through a two-year caddie training program, young men and women have the unique opportunity to learn and benefit from the game of golf, not from a book or a junior golf program, but rather through caddying. Caddie grants will be provided to underprivileged children in order to provide them with a chance to learn the caddie trade, develop skills that they will use both on and off the golf course. Caddies start in the Academy upon completion of their 8th grade year. Following the completion of this program they are placed into an existing and successful caddie program in the Denver Metro Area.
While caddying is the focus, student caddies are required to attend weekly leadership meetings and fulfill a community service requirement by working closely with one of the community partners who host golf programs at CommonGround Golf Course.
Chapters: The Solich Academy has four chapters (CommonGround, Meridian, Grand Junction and Fort Collins), all structured the same way with the same application requirements. The kids in each chapter complete the same requirements in order to receive their $600 monthly educational grant.
Loops: As one of the requirements for receiving their educational grant, caddies must complete 12 loops (rounds) per month and 36 loops by the end of summer.
This is where YOU can help!
Taking a Caddie:
The Solich Academy caddies are available from June 1 - August 10.
Taking a caddie is easy:
- For League Play Days:
To take a caddie on a league play day, during the tee time sign-up process, select a tee time; look for the “Message to the Manager”
text box and add a message that you would like to take a caddie; and then click “Send”.
2. For Non-League Play Days:
To take a caddie on a non-league play day, simply send an email with your caddie request to Emily Olson (eolson@coloradogolf.org), the
Director of Caddie Development with the Colorado Golf Association, and include the requested date, your tee time preference, and the
number of caddies desired. Ms. Olson will do her best to accommodate the request, depending on availability. The earlier you make the
request, the better your chances to get your requested date and time.
When you arrive at CommonGround to play, the Caddie Manager will connect you with your caddie.
After the Round:
- FEEDBACK: Following the loop/round, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback about your experience with the caddie, using a QR code that your caddie should provide to you. Feedback on what your caddie did well, as well as how your caddie can improve, is greatly appreciated.
- PAYMENT/TIPPING: Caddies will be paid their base fee by the Solich Academy. If you are pleased with the caddie’s services, please feel free to provide a tip of $10 - $20.
Since its inception, the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy program has been an overwhelming success. There are many ways in which the Academy measures its impact, but none more powerful than the number of Solich caddies who have gone on to receive the Evans Scholarship – a full tuition and housing scholarship to the University of Colorado. Thanks to golfers like you who support the program, the Academy has had over 40 student caddies receive the Evans Scholarship. With each valued at $120,000 that is nearly $5 million dollars of college scholarships!
Thank you for your support, and let’s work together to achieve our CGWGC goal of 55 caddie rounds this summer!