Golf: Businessman wins car with a hole in one
When Tralee businessman Der O'Sullivan, who owns a bar and delectesan in the Mall, headed to Killarney last weekend for a Charity Golf Team Event which was being run to raise funds for the New York Fighters, after the appalling events of September 11th, little did he know that he was driving into the eye of controversy.
The Organisers had taken out insurance to cover the possibilty of someone getting a hole-in one on the par three third hole, which measures 170 yards. The first person who could achieve this feat would be the recepient of a brand new Ford Focus car.
There was a notice up telling the serious players and the scrubbers who were going out to compete for this worthy cause. Der O'Sullivan takes up the story " I took no notice of the sign until I came to the third. I hit a good shot with a six iron and while I knew it was well hit, it started to fade a little and and I saw it hitting the green but thought no more of it back on the tee.
"My partners thought it was close and as we approached the green there was no sin of my ball. I honestly thought it had rolled off but I did see a plug mark just before the flag. Then two officials from the organising committee, the Irish Golf Tour Operators Association were greenside told me I had in fact aced the hole which was quite a shock. "
"There was much excitement around the green as officials checked both Dooks and Waterville who were co hosting the event to see if anyone had got a hole in one.
I was informed that I was the first to get the hole in one and that I had won the Ford Focus. I was delighted if not a shade stunned at the turn of events" stated the President of Tralee Golf Club.
However there was sting in the tale for Der, who would have driven it away if he was Padraig Harrington, when he returned to the clubhouse.
He was informed that by Tournament Director Marty Carr, that if he was to accept the car , he would be in breach of the amateur code which dictates that the maximum that an amatuer can win is a prize with a value of 450 euro or less, which might mean all those who won won fancy wide screen televisions in various Captains prizes around the country might well have to give them back.
John Molyneaux a Munster GUI official, confirmed that if Der accepted the car he would be unable to compete as a amatuer because of a maximum value of the prize rule. If O'Sullivan accepted the car he could not compete in amateur competitions for two years.
O'Sullivan is philosophical about the whole affair. " I am in limbo at the moment because I dont really know what will happen. If I cant accept the car I would hope to have a say in giving it to a local Charity.
I am not upset or anything as I did not have it when I started the day but I doubt if I will do anything to affect my amateur status.The matter is now in the hands of the R and A Golf Society at St Andrews so I will just have to wait and see."
