The Walker Cup was a must-watch TV event even in a weekend full of college and NFL football.

Many of golf’s team events, such as the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup, bring that same type of energy. It is fall, and football is in the air. But there were still plenty of eyes on golf last weekend.

Aside from the excitement of competition between the United States and Great Britain-Ireland, the venue of Cypress Point in Monterey, Calif., took center stage. The club, renowned as one of the best in the United States and the world, presented a challenge for the top amateurs, despite its relatively short 6,620-yard course, where the United States won its fifth straight title

“There’s not much I can put into words about the impeccable piece of land that is Cypress Point,” Golfweek’s Cameron Jourdan said. “The Alister Mackenzie design is one of the best in the world for a reason. It’s a stunning meeting of land and sea on the Monterey Peninsula. Natural sand dunes rise and create dramatic images throughout the property.”

The USGA has several courses with which it has strong relationships and prefers to use for tournaments. Two of those courses, Cherry Hills Country Club and The Broadmoor East Course, are here in Colorado.

It’s time to bring the Walker Cup to the Centennial State.

Both courses have proven to be worthy hosts of the USGA’s biggest events. Cherry Hills hosted the 2023 U.S. Amateur, while The Broadmoor hosted the U.S. Senior Open this year.

“They’ll find this to be challenging. But, to the credit of the players, and the caddies, they aren’t stupid. … They will figure it out. They may not have a precise line on every break, but no one does,” Colorado golf legend Hale Irwin said about The Broadmoor before the U.S. Senior Open.

Sounds like a perfect venue for the top amateurs in the world.

And Cherry Hills should be on top of that list as well. They hosted two U.S. Amateurs (2012, 2023), the 1938 U.S. Open, the 1960 U.S. Open (won by Arnold Palmer) and the 1978 U.S. Open. Cherry Hills knows big-time USGA golf.

“We have had a couple great amateurs there (Cherry Hills),” Andy North, who won the 1978 U.S. Open, told The Denver Gazette. “I think there will be more events like that in the future. I know they would love to get a Walker Cup or Ryder Cup.”

While those two courses are most well-known to golf fans, there are other options in the state as well. Colorado Golf Club, which hosted the 2013 Solheim Cup and co-hosted the 2023 U.S. Amateur, is another strong option. Castle Pines has not had a USGA event, but it did host the 2024 BMW Championship and was the long-time home of the PGA Tour’s The International.

Another course that could be an option is Rodeo Dunes, which is set to open in 2026. The USGA has developed a relationship with Dream Golf as the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur have been played at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Bandon Dunes is hosting the 2028 Walker Cup.

Another USGA/Dream Golf pairing, this time in Colorado, would be really nice.

There is no opening for a U.S. site for the Walker Cup until 2040. Bandon Dunes, Oakmont Country Club and Chicago Golf Club have the next three spots.

Colorado shows up for these golf events. The attendance and atmosphere at Cherry Hills in 2023 were unbelievable. Add in the team and country vs. country aspect, and a Colorado Walker Cup would truly be electric.

Colorado-connected golfers in field at Procore

Several golfers with Colorado connections will be in the field at the Procore Championship on Thursday in Napa, Calif.

Englewood native Gunner Wiebe will be part of the field on a sponsorship exemption. Wiebe is playing in his eighth career PGA Tour event and his first since 2024. He regularly played on the DP World Tour in 2023 and 2024.

Two other golfers with Colorado connections got into the event through Monday’s qualifying. Inspirato Colorado Open reigning champion Jim Knous and Colorado Christian grad Sangha Park both fired 65 to take home medalist honors in California to get invited to the tournament.

Former CU Buffs star Jeremy Paul and Colorado Academy grad Mark Hubbard are also playing in Napa, which is the first of the FedEx’s fall series. The field will be stronger than most years as 10 of the 12 U.S. Ryder Cup members are playing as a tune-up for Bethpage Black in a couple of weeks.

Skins game

Odds to win Procore Championship

Scottie Scheffler +210

Russell Henley +1600

Justin Thomas +1600

Patrick Cantlay +1800

Sam Burns +2000

Cameron Young +2000

This week in golf

PGA Tour 

PROCORE CHAMPIONSHIP 

Site: Napa, Calif. 

Course: Silverado Resort (North). Yardage: 7,138. Par: 72. 

Prize money: $6 million. Winner’s share: $1.08 million. 

Television: Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Golf Channel); Friday-Sunday, 4-7 p.m. (Golf). 

Defending champion: Patton Kizzire. 

European Tour 

BMW PGA Championship 

Site: Virginia Water, England. 

Course: Wentworth GC (West). Yardage: 7,267. Par: 72. 

Prize money: $9 million. Winner’s share: $1.5 million. 

Television: Thursday-Friday, 5-11 a.m.  (Golf); Saturday-Sunday, 5-10:30 a.m. (Golf). 

Defending champion: Billy Horschel. 

LPGA Tour 

KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP 

Site: Maineville, Ohio. 

Course: TPC River’s Bend. Yardage: 6,876. Par: 72. 

Prize money: $2 million. Winner’s share: $300,000. 

Television: Thursday, 2-5 p.m. (Golf); Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Golf). 

Defending champion: Lydia Ko. 

PGA Tour Champions 

SANFORD INTERNATIONAL 

Site: Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Course: Minnehaha CC. Yardage: 6,747. Par: 70. 

Prize money: $2.2 million. Winner’s share: $330,000. 

Television: Friday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m. (NBC Sports app), 7:30-9:30 p.m. (Golf Channel-tape delay). 

Defending champion: Steve Stricker. 

Korn Ferry Tour 

SIMMONS BANK OPEN 

Site: Franklin, Tenn. 

Course: Vanderbilt Legends Club. Yardage: 7,197. Par: 70. 

Prize money: $1.5 million. Winner’s share: $270,000. 

Television: Thursday, 2-4 p.m. (NBC Sports app); Friday-Sunday, 2-4 p.m. (Golf).