Normally, a 60-year-old wouldn’t be considered a serious contender at the HealthOne Colorado Open.
But R.W. Eaks (pictured) isn’t your typical 60-year-old golfer.
Despite his age, the former longtime Colorado Springs resident could very well be in the hunt at the 48th Colorado Open, which runs Thursday through Sunday at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver.
Eaks, in the field after winning the 2011 HealthOne Colorado Senior Open at GVR, has the most impressive golf resume of anyone competing in the Colorado Open this week.
The former University of Northern Colorado athlete owns four victories on the Champions Tour — all coming in 2007 and 2008 — and three more on what is now known as the Web.com Tour.
Eaks still plays occasionally on the Champions circuit — three times this year so far and once in 2011 — but he has very limited status. That’s why he played in the Colorado Senior Open last year. And even though he spent much of his life in Colorado, his six-stroke victory in the senior tournament marked his first professional win in the Centennial State.
The set-up for the Senior Open at Green Valley Ranch isn’t what it is for the Colorado Open, but Eaks’ record 15-under-par performance over three rounds proved he certainly could be a contender this week. Because of longtime back problems, Eaks will be allowed to ride in a cart at GVR.
Meanwhile, a prominent player who missed last year’s Colorado Open is back in the field this year. Coloradan Derek Tolan, who won the Open in 2009 and was a regular participant for a decade, skipped last year’s event because he played in a conflicting tournament on the Web.com Tour.
In all, nine former Colorado Open champions are expected to play this week, including defending champ Ben Portie and former PGA Tour player Wil Collins.
The winner this week will receive an exemption in the Canadian Tour’s Great Waterway Classic in Ontario Sept. 6-9, along with the Texas State Open.
Colorado Open: All the Essentials
What: 48th annual HealthOne Colorado Open.
When: Thursday through Sunday (July 26-29).
Where: Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in northeast Denver (4900 Himalaya Road).
Prize Money: $125,000, with $23,000 going to the low professional.
Field Size: 156 players, with a cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes.
Defending Champion: Ben Portie.
Other Former Champions in Field: Nathan Lashley (2010), Derek Tolan (2009), John Douma (2007), Dustin White (2006), Wil Collins (2005), Scott Petersen (2000), Mike Zaremba (1995), Jim Blair (1983 and 1987).
Attendance: Free.
