The e-mails, letters and voicemails started pouring in soon after The Gazette ran a story about what Judy Bell means to the golf world.

They came from California, New York, Texas, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, etc. They talked about the person, the president and the golfer. Most of all, they talked about the woman who touched their lives in some way or another.

“… She is a wonderful person that has done so much for golf, especially to make it more accessible to juniors. She is an amazing woman and I really appreciate you recognizing her and making the community more aware of one of its gems…”

“… that article brought back some fond memories of my younger days when I caddied at The Broadmoor between 1946 and 1948. I caddied for Judy a few times back then. I can still recall carrying a bag for that skinny little girl … fond memories.”

“… Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. A thousand times, thank you for that wonderful article about Judy Bell. She has touched people who don’t even know she exists!”

Bell, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, is a charter member of the grants committee, was the first – and, to this point, only – woman president of the U.S. Golf Association and remains consulting director for the USGA Foundation’s grants and fellowship programs, which are designed to grow, teach and expand the game.

Air Force hockey coach Frank Serratore was No. 20, followed by USOC Communications Director Darryl Seibel, Pacific Coast League President Branch B. Rickey III, running legend Matt Carpenter, Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Director Paul Butcher, Sports Corp. Communications Director Mike Moran, Mayor Lionel Rivera and USA Hockey director Dave Ogrean.

The For the Good of the Game Grants Initiative has awarded more than $62.5 million for economically disadvantaged juniors and individuals with disabilities since 1997.

“She has been working tirelessly for all kinds of golf – especially women’s golf – for years and years and years,” USGA executive committee member Jim Bunch said. “And her legacy is going to be all the lives she has touched, all two million kids, some of whom will never even hear her name but whose lives will be better.”

About the list

Continuing until Aug. 24, The Gazette will chronicle the 20 Most Influential Sports Figures in the Colorado Springs area.

We compiled a list of local sports power brokers and e-mailed it to numerous movers and shakers of the Colorado Springs sports community. They, and some members of our sports staff, had the not-so-simple task of telling us who would be on their list – in order from No. 1 to No. 20.

We received 37 full lists, partial lists and lists of all the people we should’ve added to the original list.Folks with more than 20 were asked to whittle it down. Folks with fewer than 20 were asked to increase the number.

In the end, we received 22 lists of 20.

Twenty points were awarded to every first-place vote. Second place votes received 19 points, third place 18, fourth place 17 and so on – 440 points were possible.

The person with the most points received the highest rank.On the 24th, when we reveal No. 1, we will also reveal the total number of votes each of the 20 people received. There will be an “others receiving votes category.”

Media members were ineligible to receive votes.Also on the 24th, on gazettedev.gazette.com you will be able to give us your arrangement of the 20 finalists.

Bob Gillis, chairman of the board of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, held up tickets to be used in the year 2022, the 100th anniversary of the Hill Climb. Photo by BY JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE