Money Shot
PENN TWP — Kristy Gales' first hole-in-one yielded more than just bragging rights and a good story.
When the Middlesex Township resident aced the 160-yard, par-3 No. 8 hole at Conley Resort and Golf Club on Friday, she won $20,000.
Gales was taking part in the annual Butler PM Rotary golf outing, which uses a scramble format. There are three other par-3s on the course, but only No. 8 had the cash prize for a hole-in-one, thanks to a generous sponsor.
“There was a sign near the tee box that let everyone know $20,000 would go to the first person to ace it,” said Gales, 41. “I was golfing with three other people and we were joking about it being one of us.
“Then, it turned out to be one of us,” she said, laughing.
Gales used a 5-iron on the hole. She did not see her shot drop, but knew long before she got to the green that it had went in.
“There was a guy sitting near the green,” related Gales. “He was watching all the tee shots on that hole to confirm a hole-in-one and he started waving his arms and yelling, “It's in! It's in!'
“We started jumping up and down and it was pure excitement,” she said. “I still can't believe it.”
The Rotary has held its fund-raising event for at least the last 20 years, according to former president Millie Pinkerton.
“But we have never had someone win money for getting a hole-in-one,” she said. “I was also golfing when Kristy got it and we were shocked when we heard about it.”
Gales, who is a member of the Cranberry Township Rotary, said she golfs about four times per year in events similar to Friday's fundraiser, to which she was invited less than a week ago.
“This was my first time playing in this event. I would say I golf fairly well,” she said. “I've always been a pretty good athlete. I have a softball swing and can hit the ball pretty good. But I never had a hole-in-one before and this one was very rewarding.”
Pinkerton estimates that the annual golf outing raises $20,000 per year through sponsors and an auction.
