The USGGA took pity on the players Friday.

The Universal Supreme Golfing Gods Association shortened the Great Big Hole of The Broadmoor to a measly 538 yards with a lollypop pin placement.

“Only” 64 of the 154 contestants made bogeys and double bogeys after 84 bogeys, double bogeys and “others’’ in the first round.

Poor babies, enjoy while you can.

The ruling organization of golf will stretch No. 17 from the “easy members tee box’’ back, back, back to where the drives should be struck. The tees could be as far as 623 yards to the pin. You’ve got to love the longest par 4 in the whole wide world. In the real world of muni golf, this would be a par 8.

The weekend will be won, and mostly lost, at 17.

But there will be a Charge of the Light Exercise Brigade because as many as 30 players still have a legitimate opportunity to win the Senior Citizens Open. Eight players are under par at the midway juncture. The chaff was cut at plus-9.

Jerry Kelly, the leader after the first and second rounds, now at 5-under par, has uttered the “still a long way to go’’ assessment.

Yet, the next-to-last hole, not 18, will become the most important of the final round. Kelly bogeyed it Friday. “You put it in the rough on that hole, and you don’t have a chance to get it to the green.’’

A 5 or a 6 or, especially, an “other’’ at 17 will destroy a man’s heart, soul, will and last chance for victory in the seniors’ most prestigious championship.

“Essentially, it’s an easy par 5,’’ said Davis Love, who won twice at altitude at the defunct International, adding that “the tee shot’s what makes you nervous.’’

Severe 17 is playing at 4½ average strokes.

I sort of sneaked onto the back tee at No. 17 between threesomes.

On a clear day, you can see forever, it seems, or to, at least Pueblo.

The rumor isn’t true. The Broadmoor is not developing the approximate 12 acres on which 17 is situated into a new wing of the resort, a shopping mall, a Steak ‘n Shake franchise and a runway for 787s.

It will remain the Great Big Hole eternally, although someday No. 17, because of technically advanced equipment and stronger, better golfers, probably will become an 850-yard par 5.

As if it’s not treacherous enough with 10 bunkers, trees lining the fairway like giant, steadfast green soldiers, a two-level undulant green protected by gnarly rough, winds moving from the portside, and, get this, out of bounds the entire 17 on the right.

There is a see-through fence, and the folks in the modest white house across the street in the quiet neighborhood have moved a leather sofa and a chair out next to the mailbox. They can look directly at the 17th green and enjoy adult beverages and Doritos. Who needs to be on the veranda at The Broadmoor, or pay for golf tickets?

On Sunday the couple can watch all the contenders and pretenders who trudge by trying to conquer the lengthiest, roughest and harshest hole.

A birdie on the hole will buy happiness; a bogey probably will finish a player before the finish.

Eighteen is a par waiting to happen.

I had a Mad Hatter’s Wild Ride on the 17th previously. Here’s how I played it from the elevated back tee: Driver into left sand trap; 9-iron out for 30 yards; 3-wood that would kill grass blades, crawly things and my hopes and dreams; another 3-wood that ricocheted off an oak trunk near O.B.; chip back out to fairway; another 3-wood that faded (sliced); a 6-iron into a front bunker; a blast out over the green; a weak chip; and three putts — draining a curling one-footer.

Give me a 7 with a circle around it.

The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun on Cheyenne Mountain stares menacingly down at 17.

The Man His Own Self once said: “I’ve never met a man I didn’t like, but I did meet a hole I hate — 17.’’

The Bogeyman is afraid of 17. Black holes in space have gravity that allows nothing to escape. Somewhat like the 17th at The Broadmoor East, with 17 as The Broadmoor Beast.