Ballyneal and fundraiser for Ben Cox featured in Denver Post

Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club, a world-renowned private Colorado golf club, is featured in the Denver Post. Ballyneal member Jim Colton will be attempting to play 108 holes of golf on June 20 as a fundraiser for Ben Cox, a former Ballyneal caddie. Cox, who is 23 years old, crashed while doing a ski jump and is now paralyzed from his chest down.

Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post writes:

Since the accident March 17, there has been an onslaught of support — family, friends, neighbors — but the most unlikely support hascome from a stranger.

See, Cox spent three previous summers as a caddie at Ballyneal, the prestigious golf club in northeast Colorado. And while member Jim Colton had never met Cox, when Colton heard about the accident, he felt he should help. Ballyneal, Colton explained, “is almost like a second family.” So, on Monday, June 20, Colton is sponsoring an event to raise money for the Cox family, which is remodeling its home for wheelchair accessibility.

Since June 20 is officially the longest day of the year, the voracious golfer will attempt to play 108 holes of golf at Ballyneal, while accepting pledges for his quest. He’s already at $35,000.

“I’m just grateful and surprised — why me?” said Cox, with tears falling from his eyes. “For once, it seemed that God allowed something good to happen to me.”

Read the entire story about the Colton-Cox fundraiser on the Denver Post website.

Ballyneal offers world-class sand hills golf in northeastern Colorado, 2.5 hours from Denver. The Ballyneal land is referred to by locals as the “chop hills,” due to the unique characteristics of its dunes. Ballyneal was Travel + Leisure Golf’s Best New Course of 2006 and currently is ranked #6 Best Modern by Golfweek, #48 in the United States by Golf Magazine, and one of Golf Digest’s top 100 golf courses in America. The intimate setting at Ballyneal includes the golf shop, a fine-dining restaurant and three lodges with private suites. To learn more visit http://www.ballyneal.com or call 970-854-5900.

Denver Post: Jim Colton, right, and Wyatt Halliday visit Ben Cox at Craig Hospital. Colton set up an unusual golf event to offset Cox's medical costs. (Photo courtesy of the Cox family)