Broadmoor to Host Century of Golf Gala

Jack Nicklaus to appear at November 14 event

With Jack Nicklaus being the featured guest and participating in a fireside chat as part of the Century of Golf Gala in Colorado, what could be a more fitting setting for such an event than the Broadmoor, where the Golden Bear won the first of his eight USGA championships?

When an opportunity recently presented itself to shift the venue for the Century of Golf Gala to the Broadmoor, organizers jumped at the chance. So now the Gala is set for Nov. 14 at the five-star resort in Colorado Springs, with a cocktail reception planned for 5:30 p.m., and the dinner and formal program beginning at 6:30.

The Century of Golf Gala is being held in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the CGA, which was founded in 1915. The Gala and related activities are being conducted by the Colorado Golf Foundation, with all proceeds supporting the Foundation's mission of youth development through golf.

“This just makes sense,” CGA executive director Ed Mate said of the move to the Broadmoor. 'We originally presented the Broadmoor the idea of being a sponsor and they said, 'Why don't we be the host? Jack Nicklaus won the (1959) U.S. Amateur here and the club is such a big part of Colorado golf history.' So we are in complete alignment. The Broadmoor is ideal.”

Indeed, the resort has hosted seven USGA championships, five men's NCAA Division I championships and the World Senior Golf Championships. The USGA tournaments produced winners such as Nicklaus, Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster — World Golf Hall of Famers all.

And with the venue moving to the Broadmoor, the Nov. 14 event will become more expansive. A Century of Golf Outing has been added, with a 10 a.m. shotgun start on the Broadmoor's East Course, where Nicklaus defeated Charlie Coe 1 up in 36 holes to win the 1959 U.S. Amateur. And, Mate noted, the hole location on No. 18 will be the same as where that U.S. Amateur was decided 56 years ago.

In addition, the Broadmoor is offering a room rate of $100 for Century of Golf participants for the night of Nov. 14. In 2014, the Broadmoor was named the top resort in North America in Golf magazine's biennial rankings.

“The Broadmoor is proud of its 97-year association with the Colorado Golf Association and all of the great things accomplished through this relationship,” said Russ Miller, the Broadmoor's director of golf. “We look forward to hosting this exciting event to celebrate together 100 years of the existence of the CGA.”

The presenting sponsors for the Gala — the Broadmoor, Castle Pines Golf Club and Cherry Hills Country Club — all have significant links to Nicklaus. Castle Pines, the home of the PGA Tour's International tournament from 1986 through 2006, was designed by the Bear. And Cherry Hills was the site of Nicklaus' final USGA championship victory — the 1993 U.S. Senior Open — and was where he finished second to Arnold Palmer as a 20-year-old amateur in the 1960 U.S. Open.

Supporting sponsors for the Gala include philanthropist George Solich and the Solich Foundation, and the El Pomar Foundation.

The Gala's beneficiary, the Colorado Golf Foundation, was created in 2012 to provide funding for Colorado-based golf organizations and programs that use golf to build important life skills and character, with an emphasis on instilling hard work and self-reliance in young people.

During the Century of Golf Gala, Nicklaus will participate in a fireside chat conducted by Tim Rosaforte, a senior writer for Golf World and Golf Digest, and an insider for Golf Channel and NBC.

Nicklaus is arguably the most accomplished golfer in history, having won a record 18 major championships in addition to two U.S. Amateurs and an NCAA title. 

Besides what Nicklaus has done at the Broadmoor, Castle Pines and Cherry Hills, he won the inaugural Jerry Ford Invitational in Vail in 1977 and placed third, one shot out of a playoff, at the 1967 PGA Championship at Columbine Country Club. And the Bear and/or Nicklaus Design has designed or redesigned more than a dozen courses in the state, most famously Castle Pines Golf Club. And, regarding the Broadmoor, he redesigned the Mountain Course there.

Also at the Century of Golf Gala, selected luminaries of Colorado golf will be honored. Those honorees will be announced at a later date.

To reserve spots at the Century of Golf Gala or for sponsorship opportunities or general information, click here. Or you can contact CGA director of development Ryan Smith at [email protected], or at 303-974-2108.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Tickets to Century of Golf Gala Are Almost Sold Out

Exclusive Q&A With Jack Nicklaus on Colorado, his legacy and more

Nicklaus to Appear at Century of Golf Gala

Century Links: Counting on 100

Visit our News page for more Colorado golf news.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com.

GET COLORADO GOLF NEWS DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX