The colloquial definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for a different result.

In that sense, local golfer Derek Tolan might be crazy for pursuing his dream of breaking into the sport’s elusive upper echelon of professional players who make a handsome living traveling the world.

Then again, as The Denver Post explains in a profile of the former University of Colorado golfer, it’s not like Tolan is a long-shot player chasing a pipe dream. Last year, he set the Colorado Open record, shooting 22 under par, and he has a top-15 finish on his resume in the 2010 season.

The 24-year-old is part of a talented group starting today in this year’s Colorado Open, playing against guys who probably don’t need the money, like John Elway and 1998 British Open runner-up Brian Watts.

“If you’re going to make money, this isn’t the avenue to go,” Tolan says. “But I haven’t been worried about that; I’ve been thinking about increasing my opportunities, maybe accomplishing something big on a level I know I can play at.”

Photo: big12sports.com