Resurrection of a Classic

The Broadmoor Men’s Invitation is back

Jon Rizzi | Colorado AvidGolfer

Above, The Joy of Specs: 1967 Broadmoor Invitation winner Hale Irwin with (from left) Broadmoor chairman Thayer Tutt, club president Milo Moore and runner-up Marty Fleckman.

Hale Irwin won it. So did Lawson Little, Charlie Coe, Robert Dickson and Colorado Golf Hall of Famers Claude Wright and Bill Loeffler. Other notable competitors included Mark O’Meara, Fred Couples, John Cook, Corey Pavin and Lanny Wadkins.

The Broadmoor Men’s Invitation (known erroneously as the “Invitational,” per the inscription on the original trophy, according to Director of Golf Russ Miller) ran from 1921 to 1995, earning a reputation as one of the country’s premier amateur tournaments. But as the resort again started to land major events like the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open, and as the economic model of the Invitation became less sustainable, the yearly match play joined the Broadmoor World Arena as part of the Colorado Springs resort’s glorious history.

But this July 6-11 The Broadmoor will resurrect the Invitation as an annual event. The format, which had switched to a two-man four-ball in 1992, will continue as such. The first of the six days will feature an optional practice round; day two, an 18-hole qualifying round to determine flights; and the following three days, match play on both the East and West Courses.

“The Invitation will overlap with the Trans-Mississippi Championship (July 7 – 10 at Southern Hills in Tulsa), so we are not anticipating attracting too many college players and younger amateurs,” Miller says. “We believe we will attract more mid-ams and seniors. That doesn’t mean the competition won’t be as keen. Players can be as high as a 12 handicap but everyone plays scratch.”

Miller has already filled a number of slots in the eight-team field. The price for this invitation-only event includes all golf, five nights’ accommodations at The Broadmoor, a welcome reception, closing awards dinner and banquet, welcome gifts and all applicable taxes. For dates, pricing and information, contact Miller at 719- 577-5784 or [email protected].

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. Jon Rizzi is the founding editor and co-owner of this regional golf-related media company producing magazines, web content, tournaments, events and the Golf Passport.