SPRINGFIELD, VT (October 21, 2019)  –  On September 19^th, 2019, Mark Huntley of Cavendish, VT, landed a Hole-In-One during the 19^th Annual Springfield Hospital Golf Challenge at the Okemo Valley Golf Club in Ludlow, VT, and won $10,000 which was awarded on Friday, October 18th.  This was the first time in the history of the Golf Challenge, and also the first time during a tournament at OVGC, that a player hit a Hole-In-One on one of the big prize-winning holes.

“Many thanks go to long-time supporters, Sharon and Ron Bixby of Ludlow Insurance Agency, for sponsoring hole #17 and the $10,000 cash prize,” says Sandy Peplau, who managed Springfield Hospital’s 2019 Golf Challenge. “We also extend thanks to Springfield Buick-GMC for sponsoring a hole-in-one prize at hole #8… a bright, red 2020 GMC 3500. While we had a very close call on that hole, we had no winners,” continued Peplau.

Twenty-two teams participated in this year’s Golf Challenge, and more than 60 businesses and individuals sponsored the event that raised over $14,000 for Springfield Hospital.

“When I was given the task of organizing this year’s tournament, I hoped for three things,” says Peplau. “One: No rain, and we had a beautiful, blue-sky day. Two: Enough people to play in the tournament, and we had 88 players. And, three: Wouldn’t it be fun for someone to get a Hole-In-One? I never thought that I would get my third wish. Thanks, Mark!” comments Peplau.

Proceeds from this year’s Golf Challenge are being used to purchase equipment for the Urology Department and Operating Room at Springfield Hospital.   ###

Photo: Sharon Bixby (L) and Sandy Peplau (R), present Mark Huntley, center, with $10,000 hole-in-one cash prize.