What to Expect at the UT Tyler Million Dollar Hole in One Contest

The 30th Anniversary of the UT Tyler Suddenlink Patriot Million Dollar Hole in One kicks off tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. on campus. What is this all about?

I'll tell you.

I happen to be one of the UT Tyler Patriots who helps organize this event annually. If you are an amateur golfer then this event is not only fun, but it could also be your ticket to Millionaire status!

The Patriots invite you out to the practice soccer fields on the UT Tyler campus to come hit some golf balls at pin that we move each day during qualifying rounds.

How does it work?

When you show up, you'll need to sign a waiver and decide how many shots you'd like to take. Each ball that you purchase is $1. If you purchase $25 worth of balls you'll receive 5 free shots. Purchase as many as it takes to qualify, because those dollars you spend go toward funding scholarships at UT Tyler.

Once you're purchased your allotted number, a Patriot or volunteer will walk with you to the hitting lane of your choice, and count out the number of balls you purchased.

Then it's all up to you. It's time to start hacking away at it. Maybe you'll get lucky and your first shot will be dead on and close to the pin, but just keep hitting until you get close.

If you do get close to the pin, a Patriot will ask all hitters to hold their shots, while a second Patriot on the green measures the distance and announces it back to the registration desk.

You could be the current leader! If you are the leader at the end of the shift, you'll be announced as one of our qualifiers and invited to the Finals!

What happens if you hit a Hole-in-One during qualifying? You're an automatic qualifier, and invited to the Finals competition at Hollytree Country Club on Sunday, May 15.

At the Finals you have an opportunity to win $1,000,000, a 2017 Cadillac XT5, or $25,000. There will be three holes cut into the green.

If no one hits a Hole-in-One, we have prizes for the person who gets closest to the pin at the finals as well. That person will receive Six (6) Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail passes. Please be our guest for one round of golf with cart at any of the 26 courses courtesy of KLTV Channel 7, valued at $800​.

The Runner-Up will receive a Dream day of fishing with guide Dick Strother at East Texas Lake of your choice, valued at $250​. The Second Runner-Up receives A round of golf for four (4), including cart, valued at $275.

The first person placing a ball inside two feet of million dollar pin will win $500, and our lady finalist who gets closest to the pin will also win a prize. She will receive an Alwond Vahan sterling silver and 14 carat gold bracelet with diamonds, valued at $1,495.