Notah Begay and Chris Riley to Play in HealthONE Colorado Open

State championship continues to draw big names.

Jon Rizzi

Last year’s celebration of the Colorado Open’s 50th anniversary prompted reflection on the many PGA Tour stars who competed in the storied event. Among them: Sam Snead, Billy Casper, Hale Irwin, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, Dave Hill and dozens more, accounting for more than 150 PGA Tour wins and 35 major championships.

The first event of the next half-century will add to those numbers. Four-time PGA Tour winner and NBC/Golf Channel analyst Notah Begay has committed to play, as has 2004 Ryder Cup player Chris Riley.

“We’re continuing the tradition of having top talent in the event,” says HealthONE Colorado Open CEO Kevin Laura. “We’re starting the next 50 years with a bang.”

Begay and Riley (above) both competed numerous times in The International at Castle Pines and welcome the opportunity to compete again in Colorado. They’re also friends, one common denominator being Tiger Woods, who was Begay’s roommate at Stanford and Riley’s boyhood friend and Ryder Cup partner.

They’ll take on a field of 156 that includes a number of former champions, including Ian Davis (above), who won last year’s event with a 14-under 270, Zahkai Brown (2013), Nathan Lashley (2010), Scott Petersen (2000) and Ben Portie (2011). Geoff Keffer, the reigning Colorado PGA Dow Finsterwald Player of the Year, will also compete. Cody Kent and David Oraee lead a strong cadre of amateurs.

They all will be compteting in the final Colorado Open title-sponsored by HealthONE. The healthcare giant's sponsorship, which spanned two five-year agreements and a two-year extension, expires this year.

Pat Hamill, the CEO and Chairman of Oakwood Homes and founder of the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, negotiated the initial deal with HealthONE President and CEO Jeff Dorsey. “Those two were the saviors,” according to Laura. “If it weren’t for Jeff Dorsey, the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, Colorado Open Championships and The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch would never have flourished as they have.”

HealthONE’s involvement created an attractive environment for other corporate sponsors and individual contributors. As a result, the $250,000 combined purse for the three HealthONE Colorado Open Championships ranks among the highest for all state opens. Moreover, since 2005, The Colorado Open Golf Foundation’s flagship charity, The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch, has reached more than 25,000 kids, with 5,302 in the program just last year.

“The tournaments not only give a boost to golf in our state, they’ve done a great service in supporting all the children who take part in The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch program,” Dorsey (above) said. “I’m proud of the role HealthONE played in making both such a success.”

Dorsey retired in 2012, and his successor, Sylvia Young, has enthusiastically continued the partnership. “For 12 years, HealthONE has been proud to present the HealthONE Colorado Opens,” she said. “Not only are the series of tournaments invaluable community gathering events, but the work of The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch provides a meaningful curriculum to our youth and encourages the development of life skills through powerful core values. As a healthcare organization focused on the care and improvement of human life, we have been honored to support the Colorado Open Golf Foundation, which shares in our mission and seeks to support the growth and advancement of youth across the metro area.”

As to what company will precede the event’s name next year, Laura expects to announce a new title sponsor very soon. “The deal will be long-term,” he says. “Similar to what we did with HealthONE.”