Photo: CRMC Foundation Executive Director Maria Stanford congratulates Danny Adams, right, who was the winner of the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout. No one actually made the hole-in-one to win the $1 million, but Adams was the closest.
CULLMAN – Changes have been made through the years, but the tradition of golf fundraising has never been more popular than it is at the present time.
The Cullman Regional Medical Center Foundation’s 25th Annual Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Extravaganza took place Monday at Terri Pines Country Club. Held annually in September, the day-long event includes a traditional golf tournament, a putting contest, a helicopter golf ball drop and a Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout between qualifiers who all vie for a million dollar prize. This year’s event raised $80,000.
Seventeen teams playing in a 4-person scramble took to the course for session one.
A busy afternoon, session two consisted of 34 teams with 136 contestants. In total, 51 teams made up the 2016 event as 204 golfers from various locations and different ages fought off a humid, but beautiful day to play the sport with, the proceeds to support the foundation.
The tournament began with a ceremony hosted by CRMC Foundation Golf Extravaganza Chair Jerry Lawson, CRMC President/CEO James Clements, CRMC Foundation President Champ Crocker, CRMC Foundation Director Maria Stanford and Terri Pines Golf Manager John Hunt.
The tournament enjoyed the support of 88 different sponsors, who sponsored different activities and participants, ranging from the hole-in-one to the ball drop, eagle, birdie, caddies and others.
Competition was fierce throughout the day. The best score was a 50 recorded by Clayton Ingram, Mark Ingram, Jeff Tiffin and Mike McGill representing Regions Bank.
The foursome edged Dr. Bill Myers, Joe Myers, Jimmy Snead and John Neal, representing River Oaks Urgent Care with a 55.
Finishing a stroke behind them were Kip Potter, Chase Kennedy, Steve DeBour and Kevin Byrd of Daystar Church with a 56.
In a three-way tie for fourth position, with a 58, were Adam Shedd, Jacob Mullins, Steven DeBour and Aleah DeBour of Premier Bank; Stuart White, Kevin Phillips, Jeff Bradlet and Matt Smith of Regions Institutional Trust; and Mike Manning, Dr. Wayne Fuller, Skipper Estes and Chad Allbright representing the Cullman Power Board.
Bobby Elhman, Frank Brown, Maxie Nelson and Larry Wright of USA Healthcare of Alabama were seventh with a 59.
A tight group scoring a 60 came in next. Maurice Weeks, Cliff Green, Bobby Brown and Wayne Brown from Tradition's Bank; Joe Holmes, Jack St. John, Billy Jackson and Danny Riggs of the Joe Holmes Team; Brian Dove, Garlan Gudger Jr, Clint Hollingsworth and Andy Page representing Cullman-Jefferson Gas; and Tony Larremore, Zachary Trotter, Brian Malcom and Mike Fant of Waller, Lansden Dortch & Davis.
As for the coveted $1 million hole-in-one, none of the golfers made the shot, but Danny Adams was the closest, winning the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout. His prizes included gift cards and other items.
Stanford thanked the numerous volunteers who put in a long day making sure everything went smoothly from tournament registration to the putting contest, golf ball drop, luncheon, putting contest, million dollar shootout, photos and reception at the 19th hole of the country club.
A majority of the participants are regular golfers across the area. They had the opportunity to enjoy a round of a sport they enjoy with a worthy cause receiving the profits.
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