Find out the latest news and information about The Inverness Hotel and Conference Center. Our media center features photos, press releases and news items so that you can stay up to date.
Golfers Raise their Clubs to Salute Colorado’s Fallen Firefighters
2nd Annual Brian Kopp Memorial Golf Tournament aims to raise $100,000 to ease financial burdens for families
ENGLEWOOD, CO – May 14, 2010 – Each year approximately 15 firefighters die every year in Colorado. Two years ago, an avalanche near Grand Lake trapped and killed South Metro firefighter Brian Kopp who was there trying to rescue his friend, 19-year-old Mark Goetz, who was also killed in the avalanche. The Larksbur community, Kopp’s hometown, and fellow firefighters came together to host a golf fundraiser to provide some financial support for Kopp’s widow and two children. What started in 2009 as a small-scale memorial golf tournament has already doubled in size, selling out all 144 spots in 13 minutes. The 2010 2nd Annual Brian Kopp Memorial Golf Tournament, which will be held at The Inverness Hotel on July 12 to support families of fallen firefighters in Colorado, will feature a best ball scramble style of play, live and silent auctions, an elegant dinner buffet and live entertainment. Titleist, FootJoy, and the Denver Bronco Cheerleaders will be onsite and all tournament participants will earn a chance to take a swing in the $50,000 18th hole Jet Blue Challenge. To learn more about the event, please visit South Metro Professional Firefighters 2164.
Brian Kopp Memorial Golf Tournament Details
While all golfer spots are currently sold out, interested participants are encouraged to put their name on the waiting list in case of cancellations. Golf tournament participant fee is $150. Tickets for non-golfers interested in attending the auction and dinner are $36 per person and must be purchased before July 9. For guests interested in an overnight stay, The Inverness Hotel is offering $129 friends of firefighter’s rate with promotion code INVGOLF via phone 877-857-5680 or online at www.invernesshotel.com.
10:30am - Golfer registration
12:40pm - Dedication
1:00pm - Shotgun tournament begins
5:30pm - Dinner registration/Cocktail hour/silent auction begins in the Ball Room
7:00pm - Dinner and tournament awards
8:00pm - Live Auction by Gary Corbett
9:00-11:00pm - Closing/social
Communities Gives Back
On average, golf tournament fundraisers raise $10,000 - $20,000, but the Brian Kopp Memorial Golf Tournament is anything but average. In 2009, the tournament raised $70,000 and golf directors are hopeful it will raise $100,000 this year based on the response and support from the community. Proceeds from this year’s event will be awarded to families of fallen firefighters in Colorado. To ensure the success of this golf memorial, South Metro Professional Firefighters, families of fallen firefighters and local supporters have already volunteered nearly 600 plus hours since November to coordinate this event and expect to reach over 1,000 hours by tournament date. With the generous support of local sponsors and supporters such as Blu Sky Restoration, The Denver Broncos, Lockton Insurance, Emergency Medical Services Porter,Littleton and Parker Adventist Hospitals, Belfor Restoration, Littleton Firefighters Foundation and The Inverness Hotel, tournament directors have been able to assemble a fitting tribute to the fallen firefighters that have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the lives and properties in Colorado’s communities.
Brian Kopp’s Story
On Dec. 27, 2008, Brian, his best friend and his best friend’s son went to Grand Lake to ride snowmobiles on Gravel Mountain. The friend’s son decided to ride up the face of the mountain and got stuck in the snow. Brian rode up the same slope and got stuck as well. Brian’s friend decided to go above where both were stuck to access them from above. When he made the turn to access the area, he triggered an avalanche. Brian was able to steer clear of the slide, but his friend’s son was not.
According to the friend, Brian turned back into the avalanche to see if he could save the son and instead got caught up in the slide. By the time the avalanche stopped, both were buried in over four feet of snow. Brian’s friend quickly tried to locate the two, but he was unsuccessful. Brian was recovered approximately one hour later in six-feet of snow. CPR was performed for over an hour but shortly after arriving at the parking area, he was pronounced dead by the awaiting paramedics.
The Inverness Hotel
The Inverness Hotel is a full-service hotel and conference center situated in suburban Denver, Colo. that offers 302 recently renovated guestrooms and suites and a premiere medley of business and leisure amenities. Hotel guests enjoy convenient, on-property access to a new, full-service spa; an 18-hole Preston Maxwell designed golf course, five multi-cuisine restaurants and boutique shops. With 43 individual meeting rooms and a wide array of outdoor event venues encompassing more than 60,000 square-feet, The Inverness Hotel is a preferred property of choice for work, play or both.
Destination Hotels & Resorts
The Inverness Hotel is one of more than 30 independent, upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, which is consistently rated one of the top 10 independent hospitality management companies in the United States. The company has developed a variety of initiatives to better serve its communities, stakeholders and customers including Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program, and the Destination Delivers guest loyalty program, which provides the best available offers to members. Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com or to join Destination Delivers, visit www.destinationdelivers.com.
Media Contact:
Lupe Hirt, MindSpeak PR
lupeh@mindspeakpr.com
303.859.1762
Press Kit:
- Hotel Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Conference and Event Facilities (PDF)
- Inverness Golf Club (PDF)
- The Spa at The Inverness (PDF)
- Dining Venues (PDF)
Awards & Accolades:
- Four Diamond Hotel, AAA
- Pinnacle Award, Successful Meetings
- Best Colorado Conference Center, CO Meetings & Events Magazine
- Four Stars and Best Places to Play, Golf Digest
- Top Resort Course, Colorado Golf Magazine
- Most Underrated Resort Course, Colorado Golf Magazine
For all media inquiries, please contact Lupe Hirt at (303) 859-1762 or lupeh@mindspeakpr.com.
