Page 11 - NOV 2018 proof 1 The Castle Pines Connection

A round well played
(Continued from front page)
CastlePinesConnection.com
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Among his recognitions, Vickers was honored with the Bob Kirchner Award from the Colorado Open, named Golf Person of the Year from the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, and inducted into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, to name a few. Following the closure of the International in 2006, the Jack A. Vickers Invitational, hosted by John Elway, began. Since that time, the tournament has raised millions for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver. In 2014, the PGA awarded Vickers the 11th ever Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor he took much pride in.
Vickers was quoted as saying: “Golf’s
been so great to me, and I hope I have
given back to the game, my family, and the community.” Well Mr. Vickers, your love of our community and the game of golf won’t soon be forgotten.
Sandy Rufenacht, a long-standing member of the Castle Pines
Golf Club, said
Vickers had a
great dry wit
and he loved
spending time
with other
members.
Rufenacht fondly
noted that Mr. V
(as they called him)
made sure the Club
was “kid-friendly”
and said Jack would
light up with a smile when he saw kids at the various family events at the Club. Rufenacht said his son Preston had a special rapport with Mr. V, and when Preston asked if he could get his picture taken with Mr. V, and when Preston thanked him afterward, Vickers responded, “The pleasure was all mine!”
Rufenacht emphasized how deep in golf tradition Vickers was, and when creating the Club, he desired to make Castle Pines the Augusta (home of the Masters Tournament) of the west. “Mr. V was himself a member of Augusta and he loved his green jackets – he wore green very well! When I think of him, I think of class; he was always the best dressed at the club. He de nitely created the Augusta of the west ... perfection to say the least.”
Those who worked for Vickers at the club said they were more like a family than a sta . “He was like a father gure and mentor to several employees who had worked for the Club for more 35 years, and he considered them family, all sharing the same vision and values,” said Rufenacht. In addition to his club family, Vickers and his beloved (second) wife, Cally, who passed away in 2014,
hosted numerous events at their Castle Pines home to make the International sponsors and players feel welcome in Colorado.
Local golf professional and resident Dennis Murray shared this about Vickers: “He was successful, respected, admired and adored by nearly everyone that knew him. He was a gentleman of the highest order, rst class
all the time, but with a down to earth way about him that made everyone comfortable in his presence.”
Sandra Woods, a Village resident and good friend of Vickers remarked, “Such sadness at hearing of the passing of Jack Vickers. Jack’s life and accomplishments are legendary as a man of honor and vision. He was a wonderful friend and role model.”
Vickers oldest son, Jack A. Vickers III, proudly bears his father’s name. “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her
from Jack III ......” II “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III II “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III II “Quotes her from
Long-time friend to Jack Vickers Jr., Sandra Woods recounted many fond memories at the Club with Jack and his late wife Cally. Woods is pictured here
Eight-year-old Preston Rufenacht with Vickers in 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sandy Rufenacht).
......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III II “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III II “Quotes her from
Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III II “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III “Quotes her from Jack III ......”
bearing the Castle Pines Golf Club logo on it, which was awarded to all new members when they joined
the Club. (Photo courtesy of Sandra Woods).
Also a passionate philanthropist and entrepreneur, Vickers started the Jack
A. Vickers Foundation and served on numerous other boards, including The International Charities, Inc., PGA of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, among others. He opened the Jack A. Vickers Club in 2013 in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver to support low- income youth. Vickers also was a key benefactor in the University of Colorado Boulder and a founder of the Flatirons Athletic Club.
The Castle Pines Golf Club and neighboring Sanctuary golf course ew their ags at half-sta for a week to honor Vickers following his passing. Those close to Vickers said he stayed involved with the Club until the end. Let’s all raise a glass of J&B Scotch, his favorite drink, to honor golf never having a bigger advocate!
Jack III ......” “Quotes her from Jack III with Vickers wearing his signature green jacket
“Quotes her from Jack III ......” her from Jack III
“Quotes
Jack A. Vickers III (left) with his father in 2012. (Photo by Joe Gschwendtner).