Broadmoor, IN, USA

4th hole, 145 yards; A fine use of one of the property's few natural features as a diagonal hazard. A ball that hits on the right edge of the green is likely to be shunted into the stream. Though Pinehurst No.2 will always be recognized as Ross's finest course on predominantly flat property, Broadmoor should also be recognized as a superior design as it creates loads of interest on property where there was little prior to the architect's talented work.

The 4th calls for an exact shot, which is not unreasonable for a hole of modest length.

5th hole, 435 yards; Ross placed an attractive bunker complex on the the inside of this dogleg to the right, and each player has a choice to make as to his correct line of play vs. his ability. Also, just like with the other longest two shotter on the course (the 1st hole), the weaker golfer is never made to feel inadequate as the green is open in front and can accomodate a running approach from well back in the fairway.

The angles of play on the dogleg 5th have been severely compromised because
of tree growth on the inside of the dogleg.

12th hole, 480 yards; To view this as a weak par five is to miss the point. In fact, it is the start of the best four hole stretch on the course with Ross perfectly draping the hole across the most rolling terrain of the property. First, there is a seven foot dip in the fairway at the 240 yard mark and the better player is keen to hit it and see his tee ball propelled another 15 yards closer to the green. The built-up, sloping green readily turns two shots into three.

13th hole, 370 yards; With few natural obstacles to work around, Ross was free to create interesting angles of play where he saw fit. In this case, the hole plays like an 'X' thanks to the green which is much wider than it is deep with each side higher than the middle. When the hole is located on the right of the gull wing green, the golfer wants to position his tee ball near the inside of the bunkers on the dogleg left. However, when the hole is located on the left , the golfer is better to position his tee ball to the outside of the dogleg, and thus avoid flirting with the left hand greenside bunker.

The 13th swings left around this cluster of bunkers to a gull wing shaped green.

14th hole, 400 yards; The same stream that Ross utilized at the one shot 4th bisects this fairway 100 yards short of the green. The real issue is the green which almost seems to cascade down a hillside. With a dramatic back to front drop, the golfer almost thinks that he is at the famous 8th green at French Lick!

The unique 14th green features a six foot back to front drop and is a narrow 25 feet across
in the front. Unfortunately, two massive sycamores are at the left front of the green,
one of whose canopy overhangs the green.

15th hole, 155 yards; Given that it is much easier to capture bunkers than interesting green contours in photographs, this site can be guilty of drawing too much attention to bunkers as opposed to the more engaging aspect of green contours. Such is the case with Broadmoor, where greens like the 3rd, the two tiered 15th and the 17th green are highly unique greens among the 900 some greens that bear Ross's name as architect - however, you try capturing such greens on film!

The one shot 15th plays parallels the 14th and Ross located a wild 
two tiered green on the far side of a valley.

As good as Broadmoor is, it is not without a design flaw. As found on many Ross courses designed in the 1920s, the two finishing holes on each nine return to the clubhouse. However, unlike another Ross course in the Hoosier State (French Lick), these holes are not among the best on the course. Still, as reachable par fives, they generate their own sort of excitement.

The current board at Broadmoor has recognized that the corridors of play have shrunk well beyond Ross's intent and has hired Tom Doak's Renaissance Firm to remedy the situation. Hopefully, the board will fully back Doak's Master Plan, which will undoubtedly call for the return to wide playing corridors. Also, in Sam MacKenzie, Broadmoor is fortunate to have a Green Keeper who is a long admirer of Ross's work and he will further help to ensure that the course is presented for play as Ross intended. When complete, this restoration project will turn Broadmoor into a true delight to play while setting a powerful lead for other Ross clubs and their boards to follow.  

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