Colorado Open

Colorado Open
Name	Colorado Open
Location	Colorado, United States
Established	1964
Course	Varies
Org	Colorado Open Golf Foundation
Format	Stroke play
Month played	July
Aggregate	264 Jack Sommers (1995)
To par	−24 Jack Sommers (1995)
Current champion	Chris Kirk

Colorado Open is a professional and amateur golf tournament held annually in the state of Colorado, United States. The tournament rotates among courses throughout Colorado and attracts players from the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, Web.com Tour, Sunshine Tour, European Tour, and local PGA sections. Founded in the 20th century, it has featured competitors who have also played in U.S. Open (golf), The Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, The Open Championship, Travelers Championship, Ryder Cup, and Presidents Cup events.

History

The event traces roots to mid-20th century regional opens and state championships linked to organizations such as the PGA of America, United States Golf Association, Colorado Golf Association, and the Golf Foundation. Early champions included professionals who later appeared on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour. Over decades the tournament intersected with developments involving the Ben Hogan Tour, Nike Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and the rise of international competitors from the European Tour and Asian Tour. Venues have been influenced by local clubs like Broadmoor Golf Club, Cherry Hills Country Club, Hiwan Golf Club, and resort properties affiliated with entities such as the Broadmoor Hotel and Vail Resorts. The event has seen administrative involvement from bodies such as the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, Denver Golf Club, Colorado Springs civic organizers, and sponsors ranging from national corporations to regional businesses.

Tournament Format

The competition typically uses a 72-hole stroke play format similar to formats used in PGA Tour stop events, European Tour tournaments, and major championships. Field composition blends exempt professionals from the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, LPGA Tour qualifiers, Champions Tour veterans, state qualifiers from Colorado Golf Association events, and amateurs who hold status through sectional qualifiers like those conducted by the PGA of America’s Rocky Mountain Section. Cut rules mirror those at tournaments such as the U.S. Open (golf) and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with pairings influenced by policies used on the FedEx Cup swing. Local rules often reflect standards from the United States Golf Association and tournament referees who have worked at events like the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup.

Notable Winners and Records

Past champions include players who later won major titles such as Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Rory Sabbatini, Ben Hogan, Tom Kite, Johnny Miller, Vance Heafner, and John Mahaffey—golfers associated with victories at The Open Championship, PGA Championship, and Masters Tournament. Records set at Colorado courses recall notable performances by players who also recorded successes at the Bob Hope Classic, Doral Open, AT&T Byron Nelson, and Crowne Plaza Invitational. The lowest aggregate, to-par marks, and youngest winners have parallels with records seen on the PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, and historical state opens like the California State Open and Texas Open. Champions have included club professionals from the PGA of America who also competed in the PGA Professional Championship.

Courses and Locations

The tournament rotates among prestigious and municipal venues including Broadmoor Golf Club, Cherry Hills Country Club, Fossil Trace Golf Club, Hiwan Golf Club, Alpine Country Club, Lakewood Country Club, City Park Golf Course, CommonGround Golf Course, Trophy Club, The Ranch Country Club, and resort courses near Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Steamboat Springs. Course architects represented among these venues include Robert Trent Jones Sr., Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast, and Ben Crenshaw, whose designs influence setup philosophies similar to those at Augusta National Golf Club and Pinehurst Resort. The altitude of Colorado venues draws comparisons to tournaments played in Albuquerque and Sun Valley, affecting ball flight and club selection as with events held at Lake Tahoe.

Prize Money and Sponsorship

Purse sizes have fluctuated over time, influenced by sponsors such as regional energy companies, banks, hospitality groups, and national brands that have supported events like the John Deere Classic, CareerBuilder Challenge, and Barclays tournaments. Funding models follow patterns seen with corporate sponsorship on the PGA Tour, European Tour, and invitationals like the WGC series. Prize distribution often honors top professionals and supports amateur exemptions; sponsors have included regional affiliates of companies comparable to Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Coors Brewing Company, and resort partners linked to Vail Resorts and The Broadmoor. Economic partnerships reflect local government, chamber of commerce, and tourism boards similar to collaboration seen in Denver and Colorado Springs events.

Media Coverage and Impact on Golf in Colorado

Broadcast and digital coverage has been provided by local television affiliates, regional sports networks like Altitude Sports and Entertainment, national outlets that also cover the USGA and PGA Tour, and streaming platforms similar to services used by the European Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. The tournament has bolstered junior golf development through programs associated with the First Tee, Colorado Golf Association Foundation, local universities such as University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, and community initiatives paralleling outreach by the PGA REACH program. Its influence extends to tourism, local economies, and the profile of Colorado as a destination for events comparable to Telluride Film Festival in cultural impact and to sporting events like the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Championships in athletic tourism.

Category:Golf tournaments in Colorado