The Denver Post reports the canceled Colorado Open still owes thousands of dollars to players and other creditors:
Jack Doak did more than cancel the Colorado Open last month. So far, he has refused to pay back the 156 golfers their $300 entry fees. Doak also owes at least another $21,000 for facility usage and goods and services, according to creditors...
[snip]
After failing to sign a title sponsor, he canceled the 2003 Colorado Open on Aug. 26, two days before the scheduled opening round of the 72-hole event at the Sonnenalp Golf Club in Edwards...
Many of the competitors already had arrived in the Vail Valley for practice rounds and to prepare for a pro-am.
A full field of 156 players means Doak received $46,800 from entry fees.
Well, this year being a lost cause I'd just like to play next year. That's not a certain prospect, either:
Scott Wellington, executive director of the Colorado PGA Section, said it will be almost impossible for Doak to continue and run the Colorado Open. Wellington has been besieged with calls from players inquiring whether the section office has heard anything from Doak about getting their entry fees returned.
"One way to regain the players' trust is to have operations of the Colorado Open taken over by the golf associations (Colorado PGA Section and Colorado Golf Association)," Wellington said. "I think something has to be done within 30 to 60 days to prepare for next year."
CGA executive director Ed Mate is convinced some form of a state open championship will be conducted next year, almost assuredly in the Denver metro area and likely for a much smaller purse.
Well, no one is trusted more than Ed Mate. I hope they can get it done.
