The Cheyenne Mountain Country Club is located in

Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs is the most populous city in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 478,961 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010 United States Census, 2 ...

, at the mouth of Cheyenne Canyon.

History

Club founded

The Cheyenne Mountain Country Club Association was founded on February 19, 1891. The founders were successful men or came from wealthy families, many of whom came to Colorado for the climate and high altitude as a means to improve their health. Two years prior, in April 1889, a country club was created that offered members facilities for polo, golf, cricket, equestrian riding, shooting, horse racing, shooting and bowling facilities. William A. Otis sold the club a casino and property for the country club in 1891. The club then became the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club.

Early years

William H. Sanford was the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club's first president and was head of the Polo Committee. Foxhall P. Keene joined the team as a non-resident player in 1896. President

Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...

Harry Payne Whitney Harry Payne Whitney (April 29, 1872 – October 26, 1930) was an American businessman, thoroughbred horse breeding, horse breeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family. Early years Whitney was born in New York City on April 29, 1872, as ...

and John Percival "Percy" Hagerman played on the club's polo fields. Members—who came from England, Europe, and the east coast of the United States—were called "Grizzlies". They were generally socialites and businessmen in mining or other industries. By the 1890s, a trolley system was inaugurated to run from downtown Colorado Springs to the Broadmoor Casino and the Cheyenne Mountain Country Club. In 1893,

Spencer Penrose Spencer Penrose (November 2, 1865 – December 7, 1939) was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He made his fortune from mining, ore processing, and real estate speculation in Colorado and other parts of the West. He founded the Utah Copp ...

was made a member. Chester Alan Arthur II was president of Cheyenne Mountain Country Club between 1905 and 1908. He also provided funding for facilities at the club. Richard Bolles was the country club's president for 6 years. At one time the club used live birds for shooting events and docked polo ponies tails; To address concerns about humane treatment the club switched to clay pigeons for shooting and discontinued docking ponies tails. The club won the Rocky Mountain Polo Championship and the Interstate Polo Club trophy in 1906 and 1907.

Broadmoor Hotel

built the "premier golfing resort",

The Broadmoor The Broadmoor (stylized as THE BRODMOOR) is a hotel and resort in the Broadmoor, Colorado, Broadmoor neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Broadmoor is a member of Historic Hotels of America of the National Trust for Historic Preservat ...

near the country club. To further attract patrons to the hotel, Penrose developed a polo team. As a result of

resort's success, the country club has not had the notoriety of its early years.

Club facilities

Polo is no longer played at the country club. As an homage to the club's polo-playing history, there is an exhibit with the Foxhall Keene Cup.

History

Club founded

Early years

Broadmoor Hotel

Club facilities

Notes

References

Further reading