The family of Michael Ray Lee, a former Greeley Central High School golfer, and the city of Greeley unveiled a new golf course Thursday afternoon.
The Mike Lee 9, a short 9-hole course for beginning players, officially opened at Boomerang Links Golf Course on West 4th Street.
Lee, who went on to a strong college golf career at the Colorado School of Mines and as a state-level amateur, died in December 2020 of complications of COVID-19.
Lee’s family, parents John and Amy and brother Joe, set up the Michael Ray Lee Foundation in early 2021 to provide scholarship money for college-bound athletes and to support junior golf programs.
A look at a part of the layout of the new and introductory Mike Lee 9 at Boomerang Links Golf Course in Greeley. Michael Lee, a former standout golfer at Greeley Central High School, at the Colorado School of Mines and at the state amateur level, died in Dec. 2020 of complications of COVID-19. Lee’s family set up a foundation in Michael’s name to support athletes and golf-related organizations. The foundation advocated for construction of the Mike Lee 9 with help from the city of Greeley to introduce kids and adults to golf. (Anne Delaney/Staff Reporter).
The foundation’s efforts are in part supported through an annual golf tournament, the Mike Lee Memorial Tournament. The fifth annual tournament this year was held for the first time at Boomerang.
Earlier this year, John and Amy Lee estimated the foundation has given out about $500,000 in scholarships for athletes going to college. The foundation has also contributed money to organizations.
In 2023, the Lee Foundation donated $10,500 to Greeley-Evans School District 6 for the purchase of beginner golf kids from a company called SNAG — Starting New at Golf. SNAG equipment is now in 13 District 6 schools, John Lee said, and may also be used at the Lee 9 course.
Golf is free on the short course through the weekend, according to the Boomerang Facebook page.
“It’s giving kids an opportunity to know what golf is,” John Lee said Thursday in remarks at the course opening. “It stands as a testament to Mike’s spirit and our commitment to build a better future for our community.”
Joe Lee, Mike’s younger brother, said he hopes the new course brings joy to families today as golf courses did for the Lees. Joe hit the tee shot opening the course, and he was joined by several young golfers.
“My expectations have been far surpassed,” he said later. “I never imagined we’d be building a golf course in my brother’s memory.”
