HOLES IN WON
Mark and Neil ace the same green within minutes to claim £10,000 tourney prize..but might have to share
TWO amateur golfers both holed their tee shots at the same hole within minutes of each other to claim a £10,000 prize.
But Mark Fowler and Neil Snedden are waiting anxiously to learn whether they both walk off with the jackpot – or have to share the cash.
Hopeman Golf Club in Moray had offered the prize to players in their amateur competition on Sunday.
Mark and Neil had both aced the 12th by 11am.
Now the organisers are waiting to learn whether their insurance will pay out for two winners.
Prison officer Mark, of West Lothian, used a pitching wedge at The Prieshach, hailed Scotland’s best par three by ex-Open champion Paul Lawrie.
Mark, 46, said: “My wife and I are staying at a caravan in Lossiemouth and I saw an advert for the Moray Firth CamperVan and Caravan AM/AM with a £10,000 prize.
“I believed the cash prize would cost me my amateur status for a year. That wasn’t going to bother me and I’d much rather have the money.”
Elgin timber company boss Neil Snedden was playing in a group of four behind. Neil, 55, used an eight iron for his first hole-in-one and had already agreed to share the prize with his playing partners before teeing off.
So his fellow Elgin Golf Club members Chris Farrell, Craig Coulson and Steve McWilliam hope the insurance company stump up twice.
Neil said: “We’re splitting the money four ways but my first hole in one was even more special as I learned to play golf at Hopeman 40 years ago.”
Club manager Trevor Mearns said: “I’m filling out claims forms and according to the wording it looks like the boys will get 10 grand each.”
And thankfully for the winners, Royal and Ancient Golf Club rules state one-off prizes for a hole in one do not affect players’ amateur status.