So sorry to hear of the death of E.B. "Pete" Broadbent, one of the legends of the game in the state, especially with the Connecticut State Golf Association.
I got word of the sad news from Lida Tingley, another of the state's golfing legends and member of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame. In as fitting an end imaginable, Broadbent died at 85 while at an assisted living place overlooking part of New Haven Country Club, where he spent countless days playing and working for the CSGA since joining the club in 1950.
Broadbent, inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 2008, served extensively on various boards and committees at New Haven CC, CSGA, U.S. Golf Association and other golf organizations. He was president of NHCC, CSGA and Junior-Senior Golf Association and remained a member of NHCC, CSGA Board of Directors, Connecticut Senior Golf Association and the U.S. Senior Golf Association after his retirement.
For 18 years, Broadbent served on the USGA Senior Amateur Championship committee and was an official and referee at the championship. He also was a longtime on-course official for New Haven CC, CSGA, Florida State Golf Association, Connecticut Women's Golf Association and Bear's Paw CC in Naples, Fla., where he resided in the winter with his wife of 56 years, Ginger, a longtime contributor to the CWGA who thankfully has recovered from recent surgery.
"Golf was the love of his life, and I think I was No. 2," Ginger said with a chuckle. "But I had my moments, too. When we first got married, Peter said he wouldn't play on Sunday, but you can't imagine how many member-guest tournaments that he played in that ended on Sunday. He just loved playing at Hartford Golf Club with Linc Kinnicutt, who became a real close friend.
"And Linc would come and play with Peter and New Haven Country Club. And Peter loved to go to Cape Cod to play in member-guests at Wiano and Oyster Harbors. It was terrific."
In the NHCC 1998 centennial book, Broadbent was described as the best golfer never to win the club championship, which was a great frustration for him. Four times he lost in the finals, three times to fellow Hall of Fame service award winner Herb Emanuelson, each time on the 36th and final green. Broadbent never won the club's Member-Guest either, despite losing in the final match four times, always on the 36th green. Appropriately, NHCC named its member-guest in Peter's honor this year.
It might have been partly that frustration that led him to found the club's Member-Member tournament, now named for 1956 Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Clare. He managed to win that title three times, once with Veggo Larsen, who had been something of a father figure to him since his dad died in 1940.
The rules of golf were always a point of interest and emphasis for Broadbent. He attended the USGA Rules School 12 times and said, "I learned something new every time."
"The game of golf has meant everything to me. I dont' look upon any of it as a chore. It was an enjoyment. My whole life ins golf has been an enjoyment."
Broadbent, who graduated from Yale in 1948 with a degree in bachelor science and engineering, was CSGA president in 1987-88 and a member of the board of directors until close to his death.
Broadbent called himself "a rules nut" and attended the USGA rules school 12 times.
"I wanted to become an expert about the rules," he said at his Hall of Fame induction. "I've forgotten more about the rules of golf than most people ever knew."
Yes, it was people like Broadbent who shaped the game and their clubs from within. He was a model for those who love and give back to the game of golf, and my deepest condolences go to Ginger, one of the nicest people that you will meet anywhere.
Broadbent is survived by Ginger, his wife of 56 years, children Peter, Eric, Michael and
Susan Mary Redinger, their spouses, and seven grandchildren. Friends may visit with his family at Beecher and Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden on Oct. 28 from
5 to 7 p.m. and may attend a memorial service at Beecher & Bennett on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. Flowers are gratefully declined.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation
Quality of Life Fund, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492, or to a charity of
your choice.
RIP, Peter, and hit 'em straight in that Great Golf Course in the Sky.
Bruce, thank-you so much.
I'm EB's second son, who never took up the game. That was the role chosen for and by my older brother Peter, who was also named after his dad. How many guys get to name two kids after themselves? Even though I am not a golfer (I can play but just don't have the time or money), I appreciate my Dad's love for the game and his service to it - and I very much appreciate that there are folks like you who honor that.
This is a wonderful tribute and I'm sure it will give us all great comfort to read it over the next few weeks.
Many thanks,
-Eric
(Ericsson B. Broadbent III)
Eric: You're quite welcome. Your dad deserves all the accolades that he receives for all the work that he did for golf, especially the CSGA. Let me know the calling hours and funeral arrangements so I can pass it along to people who would like to attend. Thanx again, Bruce