Goldsboro Municipal GC hosting epic challenge

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 18, 2012 1:48 PM

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Need some quick cash?

Got good golf skills?

Grab your clubs and head on out to Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course on Thursday. The First Tee of Eastern North Carolina is sponsoring a three-day, hole-in-one challenge that will pay the winner $1 million.

No, that's not a typo.

"We started the program in Craven, Jones and Pamlico County, and since our future plan is to roll out to Wayne County, we decided to bring our fund-raising efforts that way," said Martin Vezina, executive director of The First Tee.

"Goldsboro Municipal was willing to let us come and not charge us a fee, plus shut down their operations to have the challenge. They've been very accomodating to us and we want to make sure we return the favor through publicity."

Two of three qualifying rounds are scheduled Thursday and Friday from noon-7 p.m. each day. The final qualifying round is Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Golfers will hit a 100-yard shot that must land within a 10-foot circle around the pin.

The semifinals start 15 minutes after the third qualifying round is completed. Challenge organizers will stretch the shot to 135 yards and a golfer's attempt still must land within the 10-foot circle surrounding the pin.

Once the finalists are determined, they will each get one opportunity to record a hole-in-one from 165 yards out on No. 9. The ace pays off $1 million.

Proceeds benefit The First Tee of Eastern North Carolina, an organization geared to impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.