Her Legacy | Episode 4 A champion competitor, a true all-around athlete, and a powerful advocate for women in sport. Joan Birkland was a force — known not only for her incredible achievements, but for being one of the kindest and most respected figures in Colorado golf. She excelled in both golf and tennis, leaving a lasting impact on the advancement of women in athletics. On the course, she captured four CWGA Match Play titles (1960, 1961, 1962, 1964) and three consecutive Stroke Play championships (1964–66). Her dominance at the club level was unmatched — winning 30 consecutive Denver Country Club women’s championships, an achievement few golfers could ever imagine matching. Beyond competition, Birkland dedicated her life to growing opportunities for women in sport. In 1974, she co-founded Sportswomen of Colorado, an organization created to promote, recognize, and empower girls and women in athletics across the state. A Colorado Sports Hall of Fame inductee and respected golf l...