For more than 90 high school students, their summer experience at Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain’s (JA) Free Enterprise Center wasn’t just a field trip. It was a chance to see their future take shape.
Caddies from the Colorado Golf Association’s (CGA) Solich Caddie & Leadership Academy spent their day participating in JA learning experiences, all designed to connect the skills they have developed on the golf course with real-world career exploration. This is the second year of the partnership between JA and the CGA, as both organizations look to expand opportunities for young people across Colorado.
Students traveled from across the state, including Fort Collins Country Club, The Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, and multiple Metro Denver courses. Run by the CGA, the Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy was founded in 2012 at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora to provide opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and enhance their character through a foundation built around caddying.
“The partnership between the Colorado Golf Association, our youth caddie program, and Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain provides an incredible opportunity for caddies to step beyond the golf course, connect with local professionals, and see how the skills they’re developing today can help shape their future educational and career goals,” said Tim Wimsatt, Managing Director of Youth Caddie Programs at the CGA. “We often say that caddying is the best first job ever, and this partnership explains why. Every loop teaches young people communication, responsibility, professionalism, and problem-solving, and Junior Achievement reinforces those same life skills through real-world experiences that prepare students for whatever comes next.”
Throughout the day, students explored career pathways, practiced networking, and worked in teams to solve real-world challenges, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to navigate their futures. This included an experience in the Daniels Fund JA Dream Accelerator, a national experiential program founded in Colorado that is designed to inspire students to develop a plan to pursue a meaningful career and future. Some students even returned after participating in the inaugural event last year.
“This is my second time coming on this field trip, and each time I come to JA, I learn something new,” said Michelle Shaw, a caddie at CommonGround Golf Course. “This experience challenged me to think about what I really want to do in the future. It is a great opportunity to ask questions and have important conversations.”
The day’s participants also had the opportunity to hear from professionals and entrepreneurs through a panel version of JA Career Speaker Series, build their personal brand and networking skills with JA Personal Success, and practice working in groups during a special Teambuilding Challenge.
“The panel was fascinating; as someone really interested in healthcare, the highlight of my day was having the chance to speak to a nurse,” reflected Karl Stavig, who caddies at Meridian Golf Club. “It was a great opportunity to listen to these successful people as they gave us advice. I really learned a lot from them.”
“I started with the elevator pitch (JA Personal Success), and through that, I saw how the successful business owners and entrepreneurs we talked to created their own brand,” said Eliana Tilanum, who also caddies at Meridian.
What students gained during the day will go far beyond their caddie loops. Through these hands-on, real-world learning experiences, they built confidence and gained the skills and competencies needed to pursue opportunity-filled futures, both on and off the course.
“Together, we’re creating opportunities for young people to build a foundation for success in college, their careers, and the communities they will one day lead, and we’re thrilled to share that responsibility with Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain to make it possible,” said Tim.
