A three-day qualifier, followed by a benefit and silent auction, will culminate in the million-dollar shootout at the Hurricane, W. Va. property, where finalists will swing for a hole-in-one to win $25,000 per year over a 40-year period. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of equipment, curriculum and training for the Physical Education instructors at each of the 14 elementary schools in Putnam County, W. Va.
The First Tee of West Virginia has teamed with Sleepy Hollow Golf Club in Hurricane, W. Va. to raise funds for the First Tee National School Program to provide supplies to Putnam County elementary school Physical Education classes, the Charleston (W. Va.) Gazette-Mail reported. For $2 a shot (no maximum amount of swings), amateur golfers can vie for the $1 million prize.
First, golfers will take their swings toward the hole 85 yards away at qualifier events slated for April 9 through 11 at Sleepy Hollow, according to the Gazette-Mail report. Five qualifiers from the three-day shoot-outs will then tee up to swing for the million dollars on Sleepy Hollow’s 10th hole on April 12, following a “Masters Mix & Mingle” benefit cocktail party and silent auction.
The target hole will be 165 yards away for male golfers and 150 yards away for female golfers, the Gazette-Mail reported. The transferable prize, if won by a hole-in-one drive, will be awarded as $25,000 per year over a 40-year period.
All proceeds from the event will go directly toward the purchase of The First Tee National School Program equipment, curriculum and training for the Physical Education instructors at each of the 14 elementary schools in Putnam County, according to the Gazette-Mail report.
“They’ll receive targets, clubs, SNAG Velcro and tennis ball equipment, golf tees and balls. It’s an entire package we purchase,” said First Tee of West Virginia Program Director Ashley Hamilton.
“We have a really good relationship with some of the Sleepy Hollow members who have been instrumental in getting us involved with the community and bringing this to Putnam County,” Hamilton added. “By having this in the schools, we can gauge the interest before bringing a program like we have at Coonskin Park. It’s so 4,600 kids can have exposure to it every year and know that it’s available.”
West Virginia chapters of The First Tee are located at Coonskin Park in Charleston, as well as in Wheeling, Morgantown, Beckley, Charles Town, Lewisburg and Parkersburg. First Tee chapters offer golf to males and females ages 5 to 17, with full scholarships or reduced sessions available and golf clubs, balls and tees supplied at no charge.
“The primary goal is always to have fun,” Hamilton told the Gazette-Mail. “Our programs help young people build confidence, develop respect and appreciate the value of giving back to our community, all while learning the lifelong sport of golf.”
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