Setting The Course

Back when this course was originally constructed, the tees were not built square with the landing areas.
Sometimes it creates a challenge for mowers and even golfers to aim correctly on some tees. Our master plan and the tees that have been constructed over the past three seasons correct this issue.

You wouldn't believe how many people do not take the time to aim properly when they approach their tee shot.

This tool is something any superintendent can construct to help line tee markers correctly. Most supers have the PVC parts laying around the shop. I picked up the idea while setting the course at the Broadmoor East Course a few weeks back for the Women's Open.

It is fool proof and this tool is used each morning to get players off in the right direction. We just can't hit the ball for them.

The Practice Rounds

There is something magical about major golf tournaments. Maybe it is because I just love the game, but putting on a show for thousands of people around the world is special.

 I began my week back on my old stomping ground, The Broadmoor East Course. You can catch coverage on NBC this weekend as the best women golfers in the world try their luck on the old Donal Ross design.

  Here is 14 West green being mowed at dawn. This green is used as a practice green for back nine starts on the East Course.

Tuesday I helped with setting the course. Pictured above are USGA officials using a measuring instrument to square tee markers correctly. This is a neat idea I picked up and will incorporate something similar into our tee set up daily in Vail.

Pictured here are the same USGA officials and a couple of Broadmoor employees setting the cup and researching future pin locations for the tournament. They check speeds all over the green and find the right challenge for each round.

Christie Kerr teeing off the 3rd tee on Tuesday.

The Red Tees

New this year you can play the red tees. These tee locations are for the new golfer or anyone who would like a different point of view on the golf course.

Many of these locations are in the fairways. The yardages are on the scorecard and an arrow indicates their location from the cart path.

The red tees are located on all of the par 3 tee boxes. On the 17th hole a new tee box has been mowed for the red tees. I played from it today, it plays nicely.