Associated Press Published

Greenbrier Classic Group: Holes-in-One Should Be Covered

Greenbier
Listen

  The nonprofit behind the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic says it wasn’t informed until after the tournament its insurance wouldn’t cover cash prizes for holes-in-one on holes deemed too short.

In a third-party complaint in Charleston federal court, Old White Charities says the PGA controls the distance and location of golf pins. It says the insurance application notes that.

George McNeill and Justin Thomas aced the par-3 18th from 137 yards, prompting a $192,000 payout to fans. Underwriters sued the nonprofit, saying they agreed to a 170-yard minimum distance.

Fans in the 18th-hole grandstands receive $100 payouts for the first hole-in-one during the tournament, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third.

The tournament gave $25,000 to the first golfer’s charity of choice and $50,000 to the second golfer’s charity.