"Carnivale di Venezia" with Judith Kindler

Broadmoor Invitational Co-Chairs, Judith Kindler & Chloe Mueller

My friend, Judith Kindler, is an amazing woman!  Not only is she a nationally recognized artist, but she also takes time to plan spectacular parties, where she is currently the Entertainment Chairman at Broadmoor Country Club.

Stuart Silk, Lance Mueller, Kyle Johnson

Judith Kindler with Dan Hill and Golf Professionals

I was lucky enough to be her guest at her most recent extravaganza, which was the incredible "Carnivale di Venezia" Broadmoor Women's Invitational Golf Tournament which she co-chaired with friend, Chloe Mueller.  The tournament kicked-off with a beautiful cocktail party at the Broadmoor home of Mary & Stuart Silk where every guest was given an exquisite white and gold or white and silver traditional Venetian mask on a stick which Judith had sourced when she and her husband, Kyle, were in Venice following our cruise together last fall.  Judith had even convinced the husbands (Kyle, Lance and Stuart) to serve as bartenders at the event wearing masks and a big gold organza sash around their waists.

Chloe Mueller & Cathi Hatch

Chloe Mueller & Debra Platt

On the first day of the tournament, we were paired with Co-chair, Chloe Mueller, and her guest Debra Platt.  When I arrived, Judith had been busy decorating the golf carts with giant gold organza bows, Venetian masks and golden birds and had inveigled the Broadmoor Golf Pro, Dan Hill, and his staff to dress as Venetian gondoliers with shirts and hats she purchased in Venice.  Before heading out to the links, we were treated to a brunch in the ballroom where Judith's influence was evident with big rolled Venetian poster centerpieces on every table which she had produced herself in her studio from photos that she had taken in Venice.  Everyone was in a festive, party mood as the round of golf began.

Judith, Women's Captain, Cory Kirkpatrick, Chloe in
Men's Grill

Neither Judith or I performed well at golf that day and actually came in dead last in a field of around 80 golfers.  Though I really did post the biggest score I have seen in years, we managed to have a great time in spite of our golf challenges and laughed throughout our day together!  We, along with many of the women, especially appreciated the end of the day when following the Italian cocktail buffet, due to rain sprinkles, we were able to move into the "verboten" area of the Men's Grill.

The following day we both played somewhat better, though not enough to bring our average for the two days up to place.   The tournament format was "Best Ball Eclectic.  However, Judith hit her longest drive for the second day on the hole that had been designated for the "Longest Drive & Accuracy" and did win that prize, so we weren't actually skunked.

Decorations for Venetian Luncheon

Golf was followed by the Venetian Awards Luncheon in the ballroom where Judith's magic was once again evident.  Every table was dressed in black linens with a gold and black mesh table topper with a tall gold and black be-ribboned post with an umbrella featuring the landscape of Venice atop (another of Judith's finds when she was in Venice).  Golden birds dangled and Venetian masks were clustered at the bottom of the centerpiece along with individual Murano glass handbag holder gifts encased in gold organiza bags tied along with golden leaves for each member and guest.

The Broadmoor Chef outdid himself with an amazing luncheon that after a delicious arugula salad served with balsamic viniagrette and fresh shaved Parmesan Reggiano included what appeared to be three individual handmade tortellini encasing crab in one, veal ragout in another, and artichoke hearts and capers in the the third all napped with a velvety, flavorful white sauce served with stalks of brocollini that were cooked perfectly and actually served hot.  Yum!

Thank you, Judith!  What an amazing and memorable tournament!  Next year, it is the Women's Invitational Golf Tournament at Overlake Golf & Country Club and you will have to be MY guest!