Golfer wins Mustang with hole-in-one
BAKERSTOWN — An Adams Township businessman had a hole-in-one Sunday afternoon to win a new convertible Ford Mustang at a charity golf outing benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ralph Jockel, Jr., president of Woodhyrst, based in Adams Township, a company that supplies residential and commercial power solutions, sunk the hole-in-one on Hole No. 3 at the Pittsburgh North Golf Club.
Jockel said he used a 7-iron on the par-3, 160-yard hole. The hole was sponsored by Shults Ford in Wexford.
The event was the 13th annual Rudolph Family Golf Outing with a four-man golf scramble that had 19 foursomes.
“When I hit it, I knew it was a good shot. But, the greens were hard and balls were bouncing and rolling off. When it hit the green, I thought it going off the green,” said Jockel, who was playing in the event for the third time.
“The hole witnesses started jumping up and down. I really didn't believe it, at first.”
“A hole-in-one would have been good enough. But, to win a Ford Mustang is pretty exciting,” said Jockel. “I think everyone there was more excited than I was. It really didn't sink in until today (Monday).”
Once Jockel completes all the paperwork, the convertible is expected to be his in a couple of weeks.
Barb Becker, vice president and director of development for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania & Southern West Virginia, said the Rudolph family has been hosting the golf outing since 1999. This was the first time that anyone has gotten a hole-in-one at it.
“It's a rarity at any of the Make-A-Wish outings, too,” said Becker.
This year's event raised more than $5,000. The Rudolph family outings have raised a total of more than $70,000 for the chapter.
The Rudolph Family outing and other events help fulfill boys' and girls' heartfelt wishes, said Becker.
“These children face medical challenges that most won't ever have to endure,” she said.
