Nestled at the foot of the mountains in Colorado Springs, The Broadmoor Golf Club’s East Course (1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs, broadmoor.com) is one of Colorado golf’s most coveted crown jewels. The championship course is no stranger to the highest levels of the game, hosting 6 USGA Championships in its history (a total of 8 championships have been played on Broadmoor courses), and a number of NCAA Championships — and one now-famous black bear.
The world-renown resort is itself a dominant presence in upscale tourist offerings in the area, golf aside, and is celebrating its centennial anniversary through 2018. Perhaps as an early birthday gift, the USGA named the Broadmoor East Course as home of the 2018 U.S. Senior Open, bringing the track back into the limelight 10 years after the hosting its last Open.
At a summer 2017 launch event, Hale Irwin teed off into the wide no.1 fairway, setting up a good look at the uphill green from his second shot. The Donald Ross/Robert Trent Jones Sr. track plays like a country club: overly-inviting fairways in close proximity to one another, speckled with large trees dictating your shots, and highlighted by the manicured hazards, flowerbeds and the lushest of turf. Pristine conditions are a given — this is the Broadmoor we’re talking about — but what really sets the East Course apart from your everyday luxury private club are the greens.
While large and welcoming these greens will cause you a lot of grief, and several strokes, if you’re not extremely careful. The greens slope according to the mountains to aid in finding a line, but otherwise hidden undulations will send your ball sweeping away from the cup if your pace isn’t exact. And the super fast surface doesn’t make it easy, rolling as smooth as you can imagine. It’s no wonder how the Broadmoor East Course earned its challenging reputation in the elite levels of the game.
Courtesy GolfNow
Reprieve can be found in the sampling of the property’s high end amenities found throughout the layout, topped only by the gorgeous green complexes and sweeping views of the mountains to the west, and the sprawling cityscape to the east. The incredible sunsets, glimpses of the historic hotel, and wildlife spotting seem only an added bonus — no matter how many three-putts are on the card.
The front 9 provides the most scoring opportunities with par 5s at nos. 3, 7 and 9, a short par 4 at no.2 and manageable par 3s at nos. 4 and 8. Players will need to capitalize early before making the turn if they want to stay near the top of the leaderboard. The long par 35 back 9 isn’t as friendly, and can be punishing if you’re mishitting or getting too aggressive.
The 240-yard par 3 at no. 12 isn’t making too many friends at this course. Though reachable, the green complex sits above four frontside bunkers divided by a tiny landing area. Outside of sicking the putting surface or threading the needle and catching the small patch of fairway, chances are you’re playing for par before your second shot. Sunday’s champion can expect another challenge at the finish on the par 4 at no. 18, possibly the most difficult hole in the course. Vacation cottages line the inside of the tight doglegged fairway leading to a creek cutting off the green. A birdie finish is possible with a good, well placed tee shot and a targeted approach, but a look at the elevated, heavily undulated green from the rough can cause a lot of trouble. (Stay below the hole if you’re playing damage control.)
The Broadmoor Golf Club is a world-renowned destination for historic decadence and its culture of perfection, and that reputation rightfully extends to the East Course. The gorgeous country club setting disguises the challenges of this track very well, making it an excellent choice to host the highest levels of the game. And after enjoying a century of iconic status, the East Course is moving into the mainstream limelight once again to showcase elite Colorado golf.
Matt Nicolle’s nickname is “The English Enforcer,” and for very good reason. The no.1 ranked LDET player and defending tour champion delivered an unbelievable performance in 2017, earning 4 wins and another 4 top-3 finishes in his first full season on the tour (playing 8 of 9 events).
So what’s better than perfect? LDET fans may soon find out.
“I’m looking to continue my run into 2018,” Nicolle says. “I’m feeling good about the season and have a lot of events over a short period, so [I] can get into a groove.”
The 27-year-old Brute Golf athlete didn’t spend the offseason basking in glory, instead he’s approaching his LDET career with a veteran mentality. “I’ve been preparing through specific training and practice for a while now,” Nicolle says. “Lots of dynamic work and building strength, and building speed through overspeed training.” He works on his swing and equipment indoors while coaching and club fitting in central London as a PGA pro. “Dialing in my numbers, equipment and swing is an ongoing process which continues throughout the season.”
Nicolle grew up on the 9-by-5-mile UK island of Jersey, population of under 100,000. After playing football and cricket, his attention turned to golf “quite quickly.”
“Growing up in Jersey I played a links style golf course and got to a good level fast, competing as an amateur and then turning professional at 20,” Nicolle says. He’s also competed in UK South, East Regional Tours, Euro Pro Tour and French PGA events, and excited to have an organizational roll with the American Golf Championships in his home country later this year.
Now, The English Enforcer is focusing on long drive, and has his eyes on a number of LDET events in particular this season including the tour’s debut in Russia and The Nations Cup. “[LDET] is building every year and will be spectacular this season … hopefully culminating in another trip to the World Championships which is always phenomenonal,” he says.
But he also knows topping last season’s performance won’t be easy.
“I had a few good battles with Vincent Palm, Bry Roberts, Timo Petrasch and Seb Forslov last season and expect these guys to show some quality hitting this season,” Nicolle says. “Maurice Allen will return to the tour as well. Being a two-time tour champion, he knows how to win!”
Nicolle’s title defense is just one of many aspects fans can look forward to heading into the 2018 season, but he takes time to note an even more exciting big picture. “Golf is getting back to a level of growing participation,” he says. “The game is getting younger and more attractive to people looking to take up the game. Long Drive can play a huge part in this; it’s growing rapidly already and new tours have been setup globally which is fantastic for the profile of the game as a whole.”
Follow Matt Nicolle on Instagram and Twitter @mattnicollegolf, online at mattnicollegolf.com, and his battle drive for drive against other LDET players starting April 7th at the France Championships at Hotel Golf Château de Chailly.
The 2018 LDET season tees off in France, April 7th-8th. (Photo: courtesy LDET)
We’re mere weeks away from witnessing the raw power of European bombers with the start of the 2018 Long Drivers European Tour. There’s no shortage of storylines to follow this season, including the tour’s debut in Russia, the first-ever Nations Cup competition, 8-of-9 new host venues, and, of course, a bully list of long ball hitters.
Defending champ Matt Nicolle, who won four events and four top-three finishes in the eight events he competed in last year, will have his hands full with the 2018 field. 2nd-ranked LDET player Vincent Palm of Germany stands ready to take the crown, as is his fellow countryman and fan favorite Timo Petrasch, currently ranked no.5 on the tour. And the two-time tour champion known for his Ric Flair “whoo!” and intoxicating energy, Maurice Allen from the US, will make his return to the tour as well.
The 2018 season tees off with the France Championship at the Hotel Golf Château de Chailly, April 7th – 8th. Three weeks later the players head to Steenhoven Golf Club in Belgium for the Belgium Championship April 20th-21st. And Swedish bomber Sebastian Forslöf will have the home course advantage at the Sweden Championship at Täby Golf Klub May 4th-5th.
PeterHof Golf Club near St. Petersberg, Russia, hosts the tour for the first time ever on June 2nd-3rd. PeterHof Golf Manager Inar Kuramshin and his team are looking forward to the event, which will include a pro am alongside “the most exciting show in golf.”
Here’s a preview of the venue:
Hungry will be the only familiar stop on the tour’s 2018 circuit, hosting its third long drive event July 13th-14th at Zala Springs Golf Resort. The July stretch ends with the Germany Championship at Müncherner Golf Club in Munich, hometown of “The German Bomber” Timo Petrasch.
“Having a LDET tournament in my city is great,” Petrasch says in a tour release. “I want to bring a lot of people and create an amazing atmosphere.”
The tour returns to Italy once again August 26th-27th at Terre Dei Consoli near Rome before the debut of one of this season’s marquee events — the Nations Cup. International teams will compete for glory at the Château de Taulane in La Martre, France, September 21st-22nd, in a first-of-its-kind event.
The season culminates with the Masters Cup in November, at a location yet to be determined as of this writing.
Stay tuned to CGB in the weeks leading up to the France Championship for exclusive player interviews, 2018 LDET power rankings, and more throughout the rest of the 2018 LDET season.
“We have players from around the world competing — from Europe and the US, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and more,” LDET CEO Xavier Eusebio says. “This year the level will be higher and tougher for all the competitors, so winning won’t be easy for anyone!”
2017 LDET Champion Matt Nicolle, England. (Photo: Courtesy Long Drivers European Tour)
Look, Ma, we made it!
Long Drivers European Tour has announced a new media partnership with CGB for the upcoming 2018 season, and to say we’re excited for the opportunity is understatement.
Here’s a quote from yours truly in a press release issued by LDET:
“We’re witnessing a rejuvenated energy in the game right now, and at the forefront of that are these exciting tour athletes and events and their ability to attract and connect with younger golfers,” ColoradoGolfBlog Co-Founder Craig Lemley says. “We’ve worked with athletes before, but to have a renown professional tour like LDET embrace what we’re doing on social media, and invite us to be a trusted media partner means a lot.”
2017 LDET Champion Matt Nicolle (pictured above), who won four LDET events and earned four top-three finishes last year, looks to defend his title against players from all over Europe, the U.S., Dubai, Abu Dhabi, South Africa, and more. But the 2018 LDET season will also bring an exciting array of new storylines, including the tour’s first Nations Cup competition (Sept. 21-22 at the Château De Taulane) featuring international teams in a first-of-its-kind event, select pro-am competitions and special contests, and the tour’s debut in Russia (Russia Championship, June 2-3 at Peterhof Golf Club, St. Petersburg).
On top of all that, you have us to bring you the LDET news, event results, athlete interviews and more — as only we know how — beginning at the season-opening event April 7th and 8th (Hotel Golf Château de Chailly) throughout the 2018 season. (Follow us here and on Instagram @coloradogolfblog.)
With this year’s tour set to be better than ever, LDET Founder and CEO Xavier Eusebio sees promise in partnering with CGB for the sixth season of the tour. “For us to have CGB on board as official partner is really great,” Eusebio says in the release. “Social media is very important nowadays and we believe CGB will do an excellent job promoting the Tour worldwide.”
And we’re up for the challenge. As I note in the release, CGB couldn’t have asked for a better time to get involved with this tour.
You may be asking yourself, why would a European tour want to work with Colorado-golfblog? (We definitely thought the same thing for a moment there.) The answer is pretty simple: What started as ColoradoGolfBlog, between a couple friends in a frigid garage two years ago, has exploded into something we never could have imagined, and brought with it a global reach we never thought we would have.
We set out to change the game in the state we love as CGB — and we’re still going to — but along the way we’ve stumbled upon a chance to be a part of that change on an even bigger scale. And we’re damn sure not going to pass that up.
As younger generations of golfers impact the game with tremendous buying power, the image of the game is quite literally changing. Neon ensembles made famous by one Mr. Fowler, and eccentric prints and loud patters donned by the likes of John Daly and others have found their way onto public courses. But, golf being golf, a strong testament to tradition remains.
Arnold Palmer Apparel, as the name should suggest, is among the best performance golf clothing to come through the CGB headquarters. From the fit and the fabrics to the styles and performance, the official clothing line of the King himself impresses. The company’s shirts tout moisture wicking fabric keeping players comfortable in the steamiest of conditions while also protecting from harmful UV rays, and the flexible material moves with the body through the full range of motion. Palmer polos come in a variety of colors and traditional styles, each with a cleverly iconic name associated with the golf legend, and range from $50 to $60.
Pants and shorts are also available from Arnold Palmer Apparel, each offering similar performance material. Though bottoms usually aren’t the most exciting part of a golf ensemble, the company’s designs shine in the details. Rivets emblazoned with the iconic umbrella set these pieces apart, capped by impeccable cuts and creases that withstand the wear and tear of the course. Though the colors and designs are fewer, Arnold Palmer Apparel pants and shorts will compliment any golf wardrobe, ranging from $45 to $65.
Weather on the course can often times be as unpredictable as one’s game — something we know well here in Colorado — making midlayers and outerwear and essential addition to course attire. As important as they are, I’ve found these pieces are amongst the hardest to shop for, and more often than not, I’m left disappointed in one way or another. Palmer Apparel’s offerings in this category made me a believer once again, with pieces designed for a range of conditions. Performance is one thing, but it’s the fit that usually gets me — it’s all in the sleeves. To my delight, I found these pieces move easily throughout my swing and the sleeves don’t ever interfere with my grip at all. If you’re looking for a go-to in this category of golf clothing, look no further. (Check the website for prices and styles.)
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did. (Hats, belts, and other accessories are available, too, but that’s not what I’m talking about.)
Arnold Palmer Apparel is closely tied to Arnie’s Army Charitable Foundation, one of the foremost philanthropic organizations in the industry, providing financial support via retail purchases. Golf is pricey as it is, and so is the associated apparel. But knowing my dollars are helping not only helping grow the game, but also helping change people’s lives, makes clicking the checkout button a lot easier. Given the close ties the game has to nonprofit organizations — when’s the last time you played in a scramble not benefitting a charity of some kind? — companies fostering social endeavors through sales seems a natural fit, and very welcomed.
Fashion is as big a part of today’s game as the game itself, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. And companies big and small will continue to attract and equip golfers of any style, eccentric or traditional, on and off the course. Fact is, the golf attire industry has reached a point where consumers can now make more conscience buying decisions — beyond the aesthetics — without sacrificing individual style preferences. Arnold Palmer Apparel is a shining example of what the industry should strive for.
ColoradoGolfBlog, in some cases, receives a small commission when you purchase items from these links. CGB has endorsed all advertisers, products and services and advertising does not influence editorial decisions or content.
Matt Nicolle’s nickname is “The English Enforcer,” and for very good reason. The no.1 ranked LDET player and defending tour champion delivered an unbelievable performance in 2017, earning 4 wins and another 4 top-3 finishes in his first full season on the tour (playing 8 of 9 events).
The tour returns to Italy once again August 26th-27th at 
As younger generations of golfers impact the game with tremendous buying power, the image of the game is quite literally changing. Neon ensembles made famous by one Mr. Fowler, and eccentric prints and loud patters donned by the likes of John Daly and others have found their way onto public courses. But, golf being golf, a strong testament to tradition remains.