UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-In-One Contest Has Successful Start
Staff Photo By Chris Parry
UT TYLER PRESIDENT Dr. Rodney H. Mabry (second from left) and wife Merle Mabry (left) accept a check for $25,000 from Suddenlink representatives (from left) Todd Cruthird, Russell Moreland and Jared Sonne.
By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
Nearly 25,000 golf balls were fired at the pin last year in an attempt to win $1 million. UT Tyler Patriots spokesperson Don Garrett is hopeful for even more this year.
Staff Writer
Nearly 25,000 golf balls were fired at the pin last year in an attempt to win $1 million. UT Tyler Patriots spokesperson Don Garrett is hopeful for even more this year.
The 2008 UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-In-One contest begins today.
“It’s fun to see people come out and compete,” Garrett said. “We have people who are regular golfers and those who are just out here to hit the ball and have fun.”
Dr. Rodney Mabry, UT Tyler president, kicked off the 22nd Hole-In-One contest Friday as part of a media day that also recognized this year’s scholarship recipients.
“This is a mainstay of the three parts of the Patriot Classic,” Mabry said of the hole-in-one contest. “These scholarships matter.”
The Hole-In-One Contest, Texas Shootout Barbecue and Patriot Golf Classic combined to raise more than $100,000 for scholarships last year.
Suddenlink presented a check for $25,000 for this year’s scholarship fund. Presenting the check to Mabry and his wife, Merle, were Suddenlink representatives Todd Cruthird, Russell Moreland and Jared Sonne.
This year’s scholarship recipients were Lori Tirado, Heather Tidwell and Amber Fernandez.
Staff Photo By Chris Parry
SCHOLARSHIPS: Three UT Tyler students received scholarships Friday. Presenting the scholarships were (from left): Wendy Fulgham Walker, Joy Turns Duncan, Evelyn Muntz and Mike Medders.
Tirado received the Tommy Lee Memorial Scholarship, given annually to the outstanding criminal justice student. Mike Medders of the UT Tyler Police Department, the first Lee scholarship recipient, presented it. It is the second year in a row for Tirado to receive the scholarship.
Tidwell was the recipient of the John R. “Son” Fulgham III Memorial Scholarship. Wendy Fulgham Walker, family of the late Mr. Fulgham, presented the scholarship.
Fernandez received the scholarship in honor of Joy Turns Duncan and Evelyn Muntz. Both Duncan and Muntz, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday, presented the scholarship.
The media winner Friday was Kenny Smith of East Texas Radio Group. Smith outclassed the media field by getting his shot within four-feet and 10 inches of the cup.
This year’s ace contest will continue through May 17, with the finals set for May 18 at The Cascades Golf Club.
Qualifying sites are in Tyler, between Old Bullard Road and 5701 S. Broadway Ave., behind the Holiday Inn Select hotel, and Longview, located behind the UT Tyler-Longview University Center, 3201 N. Eastman Road. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, the hours will be from 2 to 7 p.m. in both Tyler and Longview.
The contest offers amateur golfers, age 18 and older, the opportunity to compete at $1 per shot, in daily preliminary rounds. Daily qualifiers are persons who hit closest to the hole as well as those who hit holes-in-one.
“They have a chance to win a million dollars, a car, a motorcycle or a set of golf clubs,” Garrett said. “There will also be prizes for our first, second and third finalists.
“We also have daily prizes. We also have a ladies’ day on Monday with separate qualifiers and prizes for the ladies as well. On Wednesday we have Seniors’ day, and they also have separate qualifiers and prizes.”
The UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole-In-One Contest, an official event of the UT Tyler Patriot Classic, is presented in conjunction with KLTV Channel 7, KTBB AM-600 and Longview and Kilgore Cable TV.
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