(COLORADO SPRINGS) — We are officially less than a week away from the start of the 45th U.S. Senior Open. The event is taking place at The Broadmoor, but its impacts will be seen across Colorado Springs.
The Broadmoor’s President and CEO, Jack Damioli, says they’re expecting to host 130,000 people throughout the week, with spectators traveling far and wide to see the experts duke it out on the East Course. The award-winning resort and its fairways are nearly 107 years old.
“We’re the longest running, Forbes Five-Star, Triple-A Five-Diamond resort in the entire world,” said Damioli.
Preparing for this long weekend of luxury and elite competition goes back seven years.
“The economic impact anticipated is going to be over $24 million for that particular week,” said Damioli.
Bringing a USGA Championship to The Broadmoor for the ninth time takes partnerships with politicians ranging from city council to the governor.
“All the hotels, all the restaurants… these 130,000 people are going to be eating, dining, shopping, and having just a wonderful time. We’ll utilize probably well over 10,000 hotel rooms during the week in Colorado Springs, not at The Broadmoor, in Colorado Springs,” said Damioli.
When they hosted this same event in 2018, Colorado Springs broke its record for taxes generated in one week. They’re hoping to generate even more revenue this time around.
“[From] the 26th to the 29th of June, 156 of the best senior golfers in America, and across the pond, are going to be coming to Colorado Springs and The Broadmoor. We can feel the support, we can feel the love, so to speak, for this event coming back to The Broadmoor,” said Damioli.
To make it all happen, the 2,300 staff members at The Broadmoor will work alongside 1,700 volunteers from 43 different states. Tickets are still available if you’d like to go. You can buy some by clicking here.
“The Broadmoor has a rich history in golf. Jack Nicklaus won his first major on this green right to our left. Annika Sörenstam did the same thing in 1995. So really, the history of the USGA coming to The Broadmoor dates back to Mr. Nicklaus in 1959. The Colorado Golf Hall of Fame is now located at The Broadmoor,” said Damioli.
