There was no million-dollar cheque handed out Sunday at the finals of CFAR’s Million Dollar Hole in One contest, but organizers were pleased with the final result of the annual fundraiser.
“Financially it was the best year we’ve had since we started it,” said CFAR’s Dianne Russell.
The contest, which gives golfers a week of chances to make the finals for their shot at a million dollars, has now successfully run for 13 years in the Flin Flon area.
Aside from more than $20,000 in prizes handed out to golfers, the Tri Service Club – made up of the Rotary, Lions and the Kinsmen clubs – will use funds from the event to provide $5,000 to the Flin Flon Ski Club for new track lighting.
Additional funds raised will go toward three annual bursaries handed out to graduating students from Creighton Community School, Hapnot Collegiate and Many Faces Education Centre.
On the golfing front, Trevor Fox was this year’s top player as his final shot landed 23 feet and eight inches from the pin at the Phantom Lake Golf Course on Sunday, July 18.
Shawn Frazer was the runner-up with his ball 33 feet and nine inches from the pin. Jason Mucha rounded out the finalists at 74 feet and eight-and-a-half inches from the pin.
“It was awesome,” Russell said. “It was another great year. Sometimes you do things for a long time and you wonder if it’s time to try something new. But people love it. It’s a great community event with a cross section of people.”
Russell gave credit to the pleasant summer weather.
“It cooperated with this event and made it the perfect place to be,” she said.
As for the community, Russell said residents showed their support in more ways than one.
“There were some brand new faces who had never been [there] before who hit a lot of buckets [of balls] they weren’t planning on hitting,” she said. “And some faces we don’t see all year and then they are there all week. It’s a really great community event.”
Golfers swung their clubs from Tuesday, July 14 through to Saturday, July 18 in hopes of qualifying for the finals as well as daily prizes.
Top prizes were on site from Twin Motors, Exclusive Auto and Marine and Frontline Sport and Leisure on top of the estimated $20,000 in awarded throughout the week.
Participants earned prizes like flights, barbecues and bikes as well as gift certificates to local restaurants.
“People love winning the prizes,” said Russell. “A lot of them come for the competition and the fun and some just want to see if they can do it.”
