Would Have Been One In A Million
The golfers who competed. Pictured in no particular order are: Nate McDanel, Henry Moore, Brad Vance, David Ahmad, Carolyn LaRuel
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Not many people get a chance to play for 1 million bucks, but five local residents had a chance Saturday evening at Harvest Point Golf Course to do just that.
This was the first year, said Harvest Point owner and PGA Pro Jeff Smith.
Before they could line up for their chance, golfers purchased balls to drive towards the pin, or hole, in hopes of being one of the five nearest the pin so they could move on to the million dollar round. They golfers could purchase three balls for five dollars, seven balls for ten dollars, or sixteen balls for twenty dollars.
Initially, the golfers were 156 yards from the hole. One golfer, David Ahmad, came fourteen inches away from perfection. In all, 43 people made the attempt. Participants could try their skill, or luck, from 9 am to 5 pm, with the finalists shooting for the million at 5:30 pm.
All proceeds made by selling the chance to swing for a million will be split between Oskaloosa Sunrise Kiwanis (for the Oskaloosa Elementary School library) and Oskaloosa Lion’s Club (for hearing and vision assistance), after the insurance fees are paid that would cover the million dollars– if a lucky golfer makes the hole-in-one.
The five skilled golfers made their way to the par 3 hole 5. There they used a laser rangefinder to make sure they were at least 165 yards away from the hole.
“It’s one shot for the million dollars. If more than one of you make a hole-in-one, you both would win it,” said Jeff Smith.
One by one the golfers made their way to the tee area, each giving it their all. In the end, no one was able to make the fabled hole-in-one, and walk away with that cash. “It was an experience,” says Carolyn LaRuel. “I was a bit surprised I got in [final five] cause I think there was only two of us women who tried out.”
The real winners were the students of Oskaloosa Elementary School and hearing and vision impaired residents who will benefit by the generosity of area golfers who took swing at the one in a million.
