HAVERHILL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It is an annual tradition at Murphy's Garrison Golf Center in Haverhill that is back for its 52nd outing.
The Par-3 golf course and driving range hosts a charity hole-in-one contest every year, where participants try to sink a 120-yard drive. All proceeds from the contest benefit The Santa Fund, which raises money for needy families during the Christmas season.
Mary Murphy, who has co-owned the golf center with her husband Ted for over 50 years, credits people's longstanding interest in the annual contest to "the fact that they could get a chance to win a prize, and they get to see friends that, you know, the same people come every year. It’s a social event as well as a fundraiser."
"Local high school kids and even customers go out and pick up balls," said Ted Murphy. "It’s really good for the community, it’s a fun time."
"It's exciting, it’s exhilarating, and quite a feeling," said Jimmy Gordon, who has participated in all 52 years of the contest and sunk six holes-in-one. Gordon also runs a 50-foot putting contest during the event with a cash prize.
"We’re gonna get it down to one person who’s gonna putt for $5,000," Gordon said. "One ball, 50 feet, for $5,000. We bought insurance for it and everything, it’s pretty exciting."
This year's event runs through Saturday. Buckets of golf balls are $10 each.
WBZ's Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reports.
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