Where are the Charlie Burkart Scholarship Alumni?

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT RESIDENCE?

I currently live in Fort Collins, Colorado.

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? CAREER? FAMILY? STILL ACTIVE IN GOLF?

12-year PGA Member. Currently Director of Golf at the Water Valley Company in Windsor, CO. 45 holes of golf spanning two properties: RainDance National (opened 2022) and Pelican Lakes (opened 1999).

Graduated from University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with PGM/Business Management degrees in 2012 and moved to Fort Collins, CO in the same year. Have been at my current facility for 4 years and have worked at a variety of other golf clubs in Northern Colorado since 2012. Have held roles as a Sales Rep, Assistant Professional, Head Professional, Director of Instruction, and now Director of Golf the last 12 years. Happy to provide more info on job history if needed.

Family: Married 11 years with 3 kids ages 5/3/1. We love our community in Northern Colorado and having the Rocky Mountains in our backyard! With both of us growing up in Iowa, we try and take advantage and get to the mountains as much as we can.

WHAT PROGRAMS DID YOU PARTICPATE IN?

– Iowa PGA Junior Tour
– Iowa PGA Junior Golf Academy
– Drive Chip & Putt

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORY OF IOWA PGA JUNIOR PROGRAMMING OR PROGRAMS OFFERED BY YOUR LOCAL COURSE/CLUB?

I grew up at Hyperion Field Club and have so many junior golf memories from there. I still love going back there when we are in Iowa to visit.

I remember waiting for the Iowa JR Tour schedule to come out and planning the events I wanted to play in.

I remember going up to the Academy at UNI a couple of years and getting that overnight experience – have some fun memories from those days as well.

I was fortunate to win the state Drive/Chip/Putt twice and walking on the field at Kinnick for that accomplishment is something I will never forget. Augusta wasn’t an option back then but Kinnick probably meant more to me then anyways – ha!

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT RESIDENCE?

I currently live in Port Byron, Illinois

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? CAREER? FAMILY? STILL ACTIVE IN GOLF?

Graduated from SIUE spring of 2024. All-time leader in rounds played. Tied for lowest 18 hole round in school history. First team All Ohio Valley Conference 2023, OVC Golfer of the month October 2023, OVC Golfer of the Week several times. In the process of pursuing a career in professional golf.

WHAT PROGRAMS DID YOU PARTICPATE IN?

– Iowa PGA Junior Tour
– Drive Chip & Putt

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORY OF IOWA PGA JUNIOR PROGRAMMING OR PROGRAMS OFFERED BY YOUR LOCAL COURSE/CLUB?

Helping my father, PGA Professional Mark Ruthey teach the junior program at Palmer Hills when I was old enough.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT RESIDENCE?

I currently live in Marion, Iowa

WHAT ARE YOU UP TO? CAREER? FAMILY? STILL ACTIVE IN GOLF?

I am a Commercial Banker at F&M Bank in Cedar Rapids. I am a husband and proud father of 2 young boys. I enjoy playing golf with my dad, sons, and friends at Elmcrest Country Club. I also compete in a few amateur events each year.

WHAT PROGRAMS DID YOU PARTICPATE IN?

– Iowa PGA Junior Tour
– Iowa PGA Junior Golf Academy
– Drive Chip & Putt

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORY OF IOWA PGA JUNIOR PROGRAMMING OR PROGRAMS OFFERED BY YOUR LOCAL COURSE/CLUB?

The Iowa PGA junior program was my introduction into competitive golf, which became a passion and has led to many of the blessings in my life. I remember Elmcrest Country Club hosting the local Drive Chip & Putt contest, which was a new idea at the time. It’s fun to see how that has evolved into what it is today.

My dad, Larry Gladson, is a PGA member and promoted junior golf at Elmcrest Country Club. His efforts in this area positively influenced so many kids and their families over his 35+ year career. Being a part of that and witnessing the difference he made is something I will always be grateful for and never forget.