Oklahoma ties
Broadmoor management, owners have common goal By Ken MacLeod Oklahoma’s ties to the magnificent Broad“I’ve been there for 20 years and I can’t em- me in the eye and said, ‘Go do it.’ Then he moor Hotel in Colorado Springs run deep. phasize enough how meaningful the owner- went off to meet his wife Thelma for apple This is where Charlie Coe, the most deco- ship group has been to the overall success of pie. The whole thing took five minutes. But rated amateur golfer in our state’s history, The Broadmoor,” Bartolin said. “At many of with the confidence he placed in me, do you lost the U.S. Amateur by a single shot to our competitors, there is no connection be- think there was a chance I would ever let Jack Nicklaus in 1959. Thousands of Okla- tween how the place is owned and the folks him down?” homans, from politicians to entertainers to who work there. Here you’ve got a private Thus began a string of major projects, inregular families, have escaped the summer corporation behind it. Sure it’s an asset and has cluding renovations to all three golf courses. heat to cool off in style at the base of Chey- been a good investment for the Gaylord fam- A luxury spa, golf and tennis club was added enne Mountain. ily, but at the same time there is a love and car- in 1995 that included a fitness center, aeroThere is one state tie that trumps all others. ing for the Broadmoor and our employees.” bics studio, indoor and outdoor pools, a new Since 1988, Oklahoma Publishing Company Bartolin learned a valuable lesson early in clubhouse, golf shop, tennis shop, three res(OPUBCO) has owned the taurants and lounges. In hotel and resort. Edward 2001 an 11,000-squareL. Gaylord purchased the foot infinity-edge swimresort from the family of ming pool was built founder Spencer Penrose, along with waterslides, who opened the resort whirlpools, cabanas and in 1918. Christy Gaylord a café. In 2002 a Lakeside Everest became president Suites building opened of OPUBCO upon E.L. with 21 rooms. In 2005, Gaylord’s death in 2003 an additional 60,000 and she works closely square feet of meeting with General Manager space was added called Steve Bartolin and DirecThe Broadmoor Hall. tor of Golf Russ Miller in “It’s a race without a the effort to constantly finish line,” Bartolin said. improve and upgrade one “We want to constantly of America’s most historic give people reasons to resorts. come back and experiFor Everest, an accomence The Broadmoor. plished golfer who has “Christy is so much made six lifetime holes-inlike her father. She surone and has finished run- OPUBCO President Christy Everest and Broadmoor General Manager Steve rounds herself with ner-up for the club cham- Bartolin (right) applaud 2008 U.S. Senior Open winner Eduardo Romero. good people whom pionship at Oklahoma she likes and trusts and City Golf & Country Club more than once, his relationship with Edward Gaylord. The gives them the resources to work with to be the Broadmoor Hotel is a labor of love. hotel, golf courses and many of the ame- successful. It’s a real pleasure to work with “We are just fortunate at this time in the nities were tired and in need of upgrading someone you like and care about personBroadmoor’s history to be its stewards,” when Bartolin came on board in 1991. ally.” Everest said of her family’s role. “That’s how “I’d put together a plan for the first ma“Christy loves the game of golf,” Miller we think about it. It was there long before jor round of renovations, about $43 mil- said. “She respects it, enjoys it and underus and we hope will be a beautiful, iconic lion worth of new guestrooms, spa, a new stands it. When we advise her we need to resort for generations to come. Our thought ballroom and other improvements. I had an do certain things, she gives us the economy process is long term, not just preserving it army of experts waiting in the wings on fi- to do what we need to do. She trusts us and but enhancing it.” nance, construction and every detail. I had has an open ear to us.” To that end, said Bartolin, he could not the whole thing rehearsed and practiced and Everest deflects all credit for the Broadhave had better owners. Bartolin has been was prepared for any question. moor’s long-term success back to Bartolin, in charge of daily operations since 1991 and “We sat down and he asked me one of the Miller and the rest of the on-site team. has overseen continued renovations and en- best business questions I’ve ever been asked. “We have wonderful people there. They hancements funded by the owners’ decision He said, ‘Do you think this is the right thing run it and I’m just glad to help. Steve has put to direct much of the resort’s profits back to do?’ I was willing to put my job and an unbelievable group together and they all into the resort. career on the line and said yes. He looked respect him. They’re like part of our family.” www.golfoklahoma.org •••••• 37