First Data
Colorado Open Set for
Aug. 30 at Sonnenalp
TravelGolf.com
Staff Report
EDWARDS, CO (AUG. 25, 2001) -- The First Data Colorado Open begins
a new era at the Sonnenalp Golf Club after nine years in the Denver
metro area. The tournament returns to its mountain roots Aug.
30-Sept. 2 for the 38th edition of this prestigious state golf
championship.
Former Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway is among the golfers
who have made early commitments to play in the First Data Colorado
Open. Elway, who played in his first Colorado Open a year ago,
has already submitted his entry for this year's tournament. Elway
shot 74-76 last year, missing the weekend cut by a single stroke.
Last year's champion, Scott Petersen, now playing regularly
on the Buy.com Tour, has not been available to comment on whether
or not he will be back to defend his title. The Greenwood Village
professional and former University of Colorado player won last
year by two strokes over Zane Zwemke to take home the $32,400
top prize at Saddle Rock Golf Course.
A full week of activities is planned for the Vail valley in
conjunction with this year's tournament starting with a two-day,
pro-am event sponsored by Hitachi and Ernst & Young, held
Aug. 28-29 at The Summit at Cordillera and Beaver Creek golf courses
respectively.
The popular million dollar hole-in-one contest will be retained
at Vail Golf Club beginning Saturday, Aug. 25, and concluding
with the finals Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2, at Sonnenalp Golf Club.
Tournament organizers are also bringing back the amateur flights
this year. The Vail amateur golf championships will be played
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2, at Vail Golf Club.
Three flights will be based on current USGA handicaps and winners
will take home prizes in merchandise and gift certificates. Other
events will include the opening of the new Harry and Mary Louise
Shaw Cancer Treatment Center, a concert at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater,
and the awards ceremony for the championship.
The Colorado Open events will be hosted in conjunction with the
Vail Valley Foundation, the Town of Vail, the Sonnenalp Hotel
and Golf Club, the Summit at Cordillera, Beaver Creek Golf Club,
and the Hyatt at Beaver Creek. Tournament proceeds will go to
support the new cancer center located in Edwards as well as the
CU Cancer Center.
Sonnenalp Golf Club at Singletree was designed by Robert Cupp
and Jay Morrish, it is a Scottish links-style course at an elevation
of 7,800 feet. Sonnenalp, the only hotel-owned golf course in
the Vail valley, is open to the public as well as hotel guests
and through private memberships.
The Colorado Open has grown to become one of the most prestigious
state opens in the country over its 37 years in existence. The
tournament began at Evergreen's Hiwan Country Club in 1964 and
was played there through 1991. Inverness Hotel and Golf Club in
Englewood hosted the tournament from 1992-1997, with Saddle Rock
taking over from 1998-2000.
The Colorado Open is one several tournaments under the umbrella
of Colorado Golf For Charities. Other events include the Colorado
Women's Futures Classic, the Colorado Women's Open, and the Catholic
Charities Colorado Senior Open. For information about any of the
2001 Colorado Open Events, call 720-283-6736.
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