The only thing
Wish you were here!
From the Fairways of Vail to the Front Lines of Golf Tech: The Story Behind Putting It Close
Some of the best business ideas come from frustration. For lifelong golfers Kyle Simonett and Travis Landauer, that frustration came from spending hours searching multiple tee sheets and refreshing websites just to find a decent weekend tee time.
The two grew up together in the Vail Valley before life took them in different directions. Kyle spent six years serving as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer in the U.S. Navy, while Travis attended school in Pennsylvania and worked in Michigan.
right tee times was harder than it should be.
“I was constantly searching across five or six different websites, trying to find the right tee times that everyone could make,” said Simonett, Co-Founder & CEO.
Enter Cory Boone, an Atlanta native who grew up around golf and later connected with Kyle and Travis through adult league hockey in Denver. One evening, the three started discussing the challenges of booking tee times.
“It’s so hard to find good tee times without being on the computer constantly refreshing the tee sheets,” said Boone, Co-Founder & CTO.
As a data scientist, Boone believed there had to be a better way. That conversation became the foundation for Putting It Close.
The team began collecting data, testing concepts, and developing a platform that alerts golfers the moment desired tee times
become available. Instead of constantly checking multiple websites, users simply select their favorite courses and preferences, and Putting It Close does the monitoring for them.
The founders bring a diverse set of skills to the company. Simonett is completing his MBA at the University of Colorado, Travis holds a degree in Geography with a Business minor from CU, and Boone’s data science expertise powers the platform’s technology. Together, they combined their love of golf with a practical solution to a common problem.
Momentum has come quickly. After
launching at the Colorado Golf Expo this spring, Putting It Close has onboarded more than 120 Colorado courses along with dozens of courses nationwide. With Colorado golf participation continuing to grow, the founders believe the platform fills a significant need for golfers looking to spend less time searching and more time playing.
For Kyle, Travis, and Cory, the mission is personal. They built the solution they wished existed and are now sharing it with golfers across Colorado and beyond. Putting It Close is available at puttingitclose.com. Memberships start at $15.99 per month and include a seven-day free trial. D
Escape to Keystone for the Ultimate Summer Playcation
Embrace the casual charm of Keystone, where world-class golf meets small-town spirit. Discover two distinct golf courses, indulge in dinner at one of Colorado’s most acclaimed restaurants, then retire to a private residence for your crew.
Keystone Ranch
Tucked away in a secluded mountain valley, Keystone Ranch is where history meets adventure. Robert Trent Jones, Jr. carved this masterpiece through the original homestead and barns of a once-thriving lettuce and dairy farm.
Golfers of all abilities can test their skills across five sets of tees, while enjoying Rocky Mountain sunsets and frequent wildlife sightings.
After your round, step back in time at the historic Keystone Ranch restaurant. Enjoy après-golf cocktails on the patio or settle in for dinner featuring wild game, sustainable seafood, and premium cuts of meat.
The River Course
While Keystone Ranch pays homage to history, The River Course showcases the
area’s dramatic mountain terrain. At 9,280 feet in elevation, golfers experience spectacular elevation changes, panoramic views of the Continental Divide, and unforgettable mountain golf.
The River Course Grill offers the perfect place to gather before or after your round while taking in the scenery.
Groups, Stay & Play
If you’re looking for an unforgettable group experience, Keystone is a one-stop destination for corporate outings, wedding tournaments, and buddy trips. Keystone’s experienced staff handles the details so you can focus on enjoying the event.
Stay & Play packages include discounted lodging rates, unlimited same-day play, and a complimentary round on your day of arrival.
Beyond Golf
Beyond the greens, Keystone offers mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, paddleboarding, and popular events including the Bacon & Bourbon Festival and Wine & Jazz Festival.
Just 90 minutes west of Denver, Keystone is the perfect mountain getaway for a day, weekend, or extended golf vacation. For more information visit their website: www.GolfKeystone.com or send an email to: keystonegolf@vailresorts.com D
DENVER CHERRY CREEK
3030 E 2ND AVENUE
303 322 9554 LANDMARK 5380 GREENWOOD PLAZA BLVD. 303 267 8744 LODO 1514 BLAKE STREET 720 354 5058
43 Centennial Blvd. Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 (720) 741-2942
7605 N Academy Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 445-5851
24110 E State Ave. Aurora, CO 80016 (719) 372-5724
14618 Delaware St. Westminster, CO 80023 (720) 459-5613
This summer, the mountains come alive at Beaver Run with an unforgettable lineup of live music, festivals, food, drinks, and family-friendly events from June through September. From outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations to beer and wine festivals featuring nationally touring artists, Summer Fest at Beaver Run is your soundtrack to summer in Breckenridge.
Tee It Up, Then Turn It Up: Summerfest
golf, music, food, and fun to Beaver Run.
Base in the heart of Breckenridge.
Located in the center of Colorado’s mountain golf region, Beaver Run also serves as an ideal basecamp for a summer golf getaway. Guests can spend the day playing nearby favorites including Breckenridge Golf Club, The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks, Keystone Ranch & River Courses, and Copper Creek Golf Course, then return to Beaver Run for dining, entertainment, and mountain hospitality.
Summerfest highlights include the Summer Music Series Fueled by Monster Energy, Beaver Run’s 4th Fest Independence Day celebration, Breckenridge Beerfest, Breckenridge Wine Classic, and Labor Day Weekend entertainment.
The Summer Music Series runs June 12 through August 28 and features free Friday evening concerts at BBQ at the Base. Beaver Run’s 4th Fest, July 2-6, celebrates Inde-
place August 21-22 with tastings, culinary experiences, seminars, and live entertainment. The Wine Classic weekend will also feature a special performance by Colorado favorites Yonder Mountain String Band.
“Summer at Beaver Run is all about creating experiences that bring people together,” said Mark Grattan, Director of Marketing & Communications for Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center.
“Whether guests are enjoying live music, golf, great food and drinks, or simply relaxing in the mountains, Summerfest captures the spirit of Breckenridge.”
Located at the base of Peak 9, Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center offers lodging, dining, weddings, conferences, and year-round recreation in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.
For more information, please visit BeaverRun.com. D
More Than a Handicap: Buddies on the Green Is Rewriting What It Means to Be a Golfer Feature
A Colorado-born community is building the game’s most welcoming clubhouse — one round at a time
Comstock, an amputee and lifelong golfer, built Buddies on the Green from a deeply personal place. Golf was never just a sport. It was a way to stay active, build confidence, and create experiences worth remembering. Through every round, he learned that perseverance, friendship, and joy don’t depend on your swing. They depend on the people you share the experience with.
That belief became Buddies on the Green, a golf app and community designed to connect players of every skill level, background, and ability. From weekend golfers and adaptive players to juniors, competitive amateurs, and scratch golfers, the mission is simple: golf is better with buddies.
Built for How Golfers Actually Play
For most golfers, the game is measured in strokes. For Chad Comstock, founder of Buddies on the Green (buddiesonthegreen.com), it’s measured in something else entirely: the people you share the course with, the laughs between shots, and the satisfaction of knowing the game has a place for everyone who wants to play it.
Buddies on the Green is more than a scoring app. It delivers live, real-time score sharing across every round and format. Whether it’s a casual Saturday foursome or a large tournament, scores, leaderboards, and updates sync instantly so players, friends, and spectators can follow along from anywhere.
The platform supports local and virtual leagues, Ryder Cup-style events, Scrambles, Best Ball, Shambles, and stroke-play
Golf at Eaglevail
The Vail Valley’s Best Kept Secret
tournaments. Built-in side games including Nassau, Wolf, Skins, Match Play, and Sixes feature live calculations and automatic settlement when the round ends.
At the heart of the platform is My Caddie, a personal strategy tool that stores course notes, yardages, wind tendencies, and hole-by-hole insights. As the tagline says: Your strategy, hole by hole.
Buddies on the Green At a Glance
My Buddies — Connect with your golf crew and share rounds, scores, and leaderboards in real time.
My Courses — Build a personal library of courses, notes, stats, and memories.
My Caddie — Store course strategies, yardages, and personal notes.
My Bag — Track clubs, distances, and identify gaps in your game.
Tournaments — Run leagues, Ryder Cup events, Scrambles, Best Ball, Shambles, and more.
Side Games — Nassau, Wolf, Skins, Match Play, and other popular formats with live scoring.
Adaptive Golf — Resources and community support for adaptive golfers and those finding their way back to the game.
Built in Colorado, for Ever Golfer
Colorado’s golf culture helped shape Buddies on the Green from day one. The state’s mix of public courses, mountain layouts, and close-knit golf groups reflects exactly who the platform was built for: golfers who love the game and value the people they play it with.
While available anywhere, Buddies on the Green remains firmly rooted in Colorado. The 2026 season marks a focused effort to grow the community across the Front Range, mountains, and Western Slope before expanding further nationwide.
Find Your Crew
Buddies on the Green is free to try for 30 days with no credit card required. Built as a Progressive Web App, there’s nothing to download from an app store. Golfers can access it from any browser or install it directly to their device in seconds.
For Colorado golfers heading into the 2026 season, it’s an invitation to do what the game has always done best: bring good people together and make every round count.
Learn more by visiting their website at buddiesonthegreen.com. D
Follow the Eagle River with stunning views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Situated at an altitude of nearly 7,650 feet, enjoy 18 holes, our driving range, or our Willow Creek Par 3 course. Relax at the end of your day at the Whiskey Hill Golf Grill and Clubhouse, and stop by the Pro Shop for all your golf needs.
Chad Comstock
The Anti-Sports Argument: Why golf plays by a different set of rules.
By Jerry Walters DIVOT Contributing Writer
For years, I’ve carried a small piece of paper around with me in my wallet. I know it’s always with me. I’m just waiting for a non-golfer to challenge me about the validity of whether golf is a sport or not. That argument could last decades. But, I’m armed and ready. Here’s what it
says with some modifications.
Professional golfers don’t have guaranteed salaries (not until LIV golf entered the arena).
Professional golfers don’t go on strike.
Professional golfers don’t have performance contracts to renegotiate.
Professional golfers don’t get bonuses for keeping weight at a certain level.
Professional golfers don’t demand
“play me or trade me.”
Professional golfers don’t receive a percentage of the gate.
Professional golfers ONLY get paid if they play well.
Since I discovered these 7 axioms I’ve uncovered a few more which I’d like to share. Agree with them on not, they’re at your disposal if you’re ever confronted by a non-golfer.
Golf is an honorable game, with the overwhelming majority of players being people who don’t need referees.
Golfers aren’t arrested and forced to be incarcerated (excluding Robert Allenby and Scottie Scheffler).
Golfers don’t scratch their privates in public.
Golfers don’t kick dirt on or throw beer cans at other people (excluding the fans at the WMO).
Professional golfers don’t demand that taxpayers foot the bill for the courses they play.
When golfers make a mistake no one is there to blame or cover their error. They assume the blame (excluding Patrick Reed).
The PGA Tour raises more money for charitable causes in one year ($200M) than the NFL does in decades.
You can watch the best golfers in the world up close at the Ryder Cup for around $98 for the entire day. The least expensive ticket to the Super Bowl is $3000.
Professional golfers have to adapt to an entirely new playing area each week.
Professional golfers keep their clothes on during post-round interviews.
Ladies are welcome to play golf along with men.
You can hear birds chirping during a golf tournament.
And finally, Rory McIlroy can hit a golf ball three times farther than Aaron Judge can hit a baseball.
Jerry Walters was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and has received many other media awards. He teaches putting and short game at ExperienceGolf at CommonGround Golf Club. Walters can be reached at freegolf1@gmail.com. D
Bella Rosa Golf Course
