Hole-in-One fundraiser returns to Tyler campus
The 23rd annual U.T. Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-In-One contest returned to the University in May, drawing many first time visitors to the event and the campus.
“The property that we have used for roughly the last 20 years changed ownership and the new owners, and while they were still supportive of our event, they were actively trying to utilize the property for something different,” said Kevin Williams, project vice president and chairman. “We did not want to take a chance on waiting and we thought now was the time to go ahead and move.”
The committee, which put together the Hole-in-One contest, moved from various locations to the University this year.
Closer to hone, he predicts the event will surge in popularity.
“We feel like it is a great way for the University to get some exposure,” he said. “There are a lot of people that don’t even know this campus is out here. We literally had a handful of people at Media Day that said they have lived here for 30 years and they had never seen this campus in their life.”
Through the event, which lasted from May 9-May 16, amateur golfers aged 18 and older paid a $1 per shot to qualify to win a 2009 Ford Flex or $1 million.
A total of 600 hopefuls made 23,443 shots in this year’s competition, up from 2008 when 432 made 16,006 swings, according to records provided by the University.
Proceeds from the annual golfing event benefit student scholarships at University campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.
First place winner Stephen Smith from Tyler defeated 34 other hopefuls during the Hole-in-One Finals at the Cascades on May 17. Smith’s shot landed three feet, one inch from the hole.
“The first place prize is a complete custom fitted set of golf clubs provided by the Golf Connection, and a swing analysis and a set of lessons from the Golf Connection,” Williams said. “He also received golf passes to the Robert Trent Jones Golf trail in Alabama and a $400 gift certificate for hotel accommodations for their trip.”
Tyler’s Walter Treat finished second with three feet, nine inches. He received a $400 gift certificate from Tiremax and a Greenberg turkey.
Third place honors went to Tyler’s Wesley Hill, who came within 10 feet, five inches of the hole to win a one-night stay with breakfast for two at the Westin Stonebriar Resort in Frisco.
Other qualifiers included Mike Cearley, Troup; Michael Cearley, Troup; Stephen Smith, Tyler; Daniel Treat, Tyler; Laura Burton, Tyler; Tracey Mekalip, Troup; Walter Treat, Tyler; John Bonney, League City; Lester Yarborough, Flint; Mike Craig, Whitehouse; Bill Campbell, Tyler; Kevin Simpson, Tyler; George Rowe, Tyler; Jacke S. Davis, Tyler.
Also, John Rasmussen, Tyler; J.P. McClintock, Bullard; Jeff
Mekalip, Troup; Steve Duffey, Tyler; Jesse Jones, Tyler; Claude Reese, Henderson; Michael Gilbert, Longview; Ted Williams, Winona; Danny Bishop, Tyler; Paul Hambleton, Henderson; Dwayne Walker, Tyler; Don Wood, Tyler; Rick Hale, Whitehouse.
Also from Tyler, Pam Shillingham, Nick Spencer, Fred Kozak, Wesley Hill, as well as Allan Fulcher, Ann Marrs, Bobby Painter and Chris Phillips.
