Cherry Hills Country Club history

His second place finish was the best by an amateur since 1933 and has not been achieved since.

So in about 1938, the Cherry Hills Improvement Association was formed, whose principal purpose was the protection of the area and the prevention of unsightly and inconsistent uses of land.

By the late 1940's, the City recognized the need to manage the various elements of growth facing the City.

So, in 1941 the PGA Championship was played for the first time in The Mile High City with Vic Ghezzi defeating Bryon Nelson on the 38th hole.

An incorporation petition was finally drawn and 75 landowners were found who affixed their signatures; following which, the petition was presented in June of 1945 to the County Court of Arapahoe County.

A group of individuals, led by members of Cherry Hills, formed a corporation for the first Denver Open golf tournament held in 1947.

The Village Crier newsletter of the early 1950's noted the new City plan: "there is an over-all plan worked out for the Village so that its future growth may not turn into a hodge-podge of mistakes."

Thirty years after staging its first national championship, Cherry Hills hosted what many consider as the greatest tournament in championship golf history, the 1960 United States Open . Arnold Palmer, who had won the Masters that April, was seven shots behind the leader going into the final round.

Also in 1963, the City appointed its first road superintendent and dedicated the Village Center at University and Quincy to house City operations and employees.

In a 1967 election, residents of Cherry Hills approved the plan; however, Greenwood residents voted against the merger, so the idea could not go forward.

Citizens of Cherry Hills took up the fight against the proposed construction of an interchange at I-25 and Quincy Avenue in 1971.

In 1972, the City won the so-called Nopro case, confirming the City's ability to restrict development incompatible with defined community values and establishing an important precedent in land use law.

A flood in May of 1973 filled the Random Road/Meade Lane area, the corner of Hampden Avenue and South Clarkson Street, and put the intersection of Quincy Avenue and University Boulevard under four feet of water.

The Club hosted the 1976 United StatesG.A. Senior Amateur where the only three-time winner of the event, Lewis Oehmig, defeated John Richardson in the final, 4 and 3.

In 1978, the United States Open returned to Cherry Hills with Andy North winning his first of two United States Opens with a 1 over par score of 285.

In 1983, Jay Sigel won the United States Mid-Amateur to become the only golfer ever to win both the United States Amateur and Mid-Amateur in the same year.

The PGA Championship returned to Cherry Hills in 1985, after a 44 year hiatus, with Hubert Green winning his second major title in a duel with Lee Trevino.

Apart from Mickelson's record-breaking performance, 1989 champion Chris Patton set a dubious record of his own for the biggest defeat of a defending champion when his opponent aced the 12th hole to win, 8 and 6.

(Top Left) Phil Mickelson hits a flop shot during the 1990 United States Amateur. (Bottom Left) Phil Mickelson with the Havemeyer Trophy given to the United States Amateur champion.

Already a United States Senior Open winner in 1991, Nicklaus relied heavily on his trusted 1-iron to keep the ball in play all week at Cherry Hills.

(Top Left): Jack Nicklaus putting during the final round of the 1993 United States Senior Open. (Bottom Left): Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus share a light moment on the 1st tee in 1993.

In the 2005 United States Women's Open, Birdie Kim holed out from the right greenside bunker on her 72nd hole while amateur Morgan Pressel watched from the 18th fairway.

In 2007, the Planning and Zoning Commission began the process of updating the City’s master plan, as the growth of Denver metro area continues to pressure the City's dedication to maintaining the semi-rural character of the community and high quality of life of its residents.