The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The big prize remained elusive Sunday evening at the conclusion of CFAR's Million Dollar Hole-in-One contest. But there was still plenty of ball-thwacking suspense to keep participants and spectators on their feet at the Phantom Lake Golf Course driving range. Ten semi-finalists from each of the six days of the charitable tournament swung for a chance to reach the local final. Not surprisingly, the three participants who landed their ball closest to the pin 152 yards away were all experienced golfers. Competing in the playoffs were Scott Kennedy (5 ft. 5.25 in. from the pin), Harold Harris (6 ft. 6.5 in.) and Matt Hill (7 ft. 3 in.). Each man was given four attempts to sink a hole in one. An ace on the first hole would have meant a shiny new Dodge Journey; on the second a 3D television set and accessories along with an $8,000 Canadian Tire gift card; and on the third a $6,000 outdoor package. But it was the fourth ball that garnered the most anticipation: a hole in one with it would have meant a cool one million dollars. As talented as they are, none of the golfers could manage the rare feat on any of their shots. Kennedy came the closest (4 ft. 1.5 in.) followed by Hill (9 ft. 10.5 in.) and Harris (94 ft. 3.25 in.) That gave Kennedy a place in the Northern Final against the top Million Dollar Hole-in-One competitors from The Pas and Thompson. Owen Nodrick of Thompson (15 ft. 4.5 in.) was nearest the yellow-flagged pin, giving him a place at the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout slated for Whistler, B.C., this September. John Erickson of The Pas (19 ft. 1.5 in.) placed second, followed by Kennedy (19 ft. 4 in.) in third. Though he has 14 years of golfing experience, this was Nodrick's first year entering the contest. "It's a good feeling Ð every time you win it's a good feeling," said Nodrick, who works as the assistant superintendent at the Thompson Golf Club. Matt Hill took home the Top Gun Trophy for coming closest to the pin out of all of the 2009 semi-finalists who re-entered this year. He sunk a hole-in-one on the first day. Also sinking aces during regular competition were Dave Salahub, Steve Pickering and Don Melien. Near the pin sat teams of volunteers from the Tri-Service Club Ð made up of the Lions, Kinsmen and Rotary, who take in proceeds from the event Ð to verify the results. After each round of balls was driven, the volunteers would dart out onto the makeshift green with a measuring tape and clipboard in hand. Maureen Kozar, manager of sponsor CFAR, was pleased with how the event went. "It's sort of in the spirit of what radio does Ð it's exciting, it's fun," she said. Kozar noted that while the seven-figure grand dividend has never been won in the nearly 10 years the contest has been held in Flin Flon, other major prizes have gone. She expects the Million Dollar Hole-in-One, now a firmly entrenched summer tradition, will return to Phantom Lake again next year. The event typically generates between $5,000 and $6,000 for the Tri-Service Club, though the figure is expected to be a bit lower this year. See 'Toward' on pg. Continued from pg. This year's funds will go toward the proposed Flin Flon skateboard park. Past years have benefitted Rotary Park, the Lions Handivan, Flinty's Boardwalk and the Kinsmen walking trail, among other community initiatives. Tri-Service supplied all necessary staffing for the contest, with most of the revenue coming from the sale of balls for $1 apiece or $20 for 30. Catherine Hynes, a Tri-Service rep for the Rotary Club, said the contest is a good chance for the three clubs to collaborate. "We're all so involved in our own clubs, this gives us that opportunity to spend time with other club members," she said. Finalists Several finalists from throughout the week made the leader board on more than one day. The daily finalists were: Day 1: Matt Hill, Dave Salahub, Steve Pickering, Don Hume, Brandon Eikel, Brad Hyrich, Harold Harris, Keenan Kennedy, Scott Kennedy and Don Melien. Day 2: Keenan Kennedy, Dustin Trumbley, Matt Hill, Glenn Smith, Brad Burke, Lori Salahub, Harold Harris, Colin McPhee, Don Melien and Robert McKeen. Day 3: Wayne Spring, Brad Hyrich, Ron Atkinson, Keenan Kennedy, Dave Salahub, Harold Harris, Alan Chatfield, Tim Smith, Brad Burke and Eric Fernandes. Day 4: Don Melien, Matt Hill, Dustin Trumbley, Willy Eikel, DJ Wilson, John Hrechka, Brad Burke, Tim Smith, Terry Styba and Daniel Kennedy. Day 5: Ron Atkinson, Harold Harris, Brad Burke, Don Melien, Sara Lynne Koop, Matt Hill, Dave Koop, Dean Danis, Wayne Spring and Evan Akkerman. Day 6: Don Melien, Brad Burke, Matt Hill, Scott Skeavington, Justin Bloor, Ron Atkinson, Diane Therien, Wayne Spring, Guy Rowe and Harold Harris. The top 10 finalists in the ladies' category were Lori Salahub, Sara Lynne Koop, Diane Therien, Brenda Russell, Kristie Burke, Sue Murray, Dustin O'Donnell, Marlene Anderson, Gladys Martinot and Crystal Brooks. Leading in the junior category were Willy Eikel, Tanner Stradeski, Rylan Nivon, Nevin O'Donnell, Nathan Hrysak, Eric Rutherford, Cole Pickering, Zack Crisp, Ryker Watt and Mitchell Reid.
