The Haverhill Gazette kicked of the annual Gazette Santa Fund last week with the 40th Annual Hole-In-One Contest sponsored by the Murphys Garrison Golf Center, 660 Hilldale Ave. in Haverhill.
Over the course of the four-day event —the first time the contest lasted four days — golfers of all ages battled the cold and blew through bucket after bucket of balls as they attempted to sink a hole-in-one from 120 yards.
While engaging in friendly competition, the golfers raised more than $4,800 for the Santa Fund, which helps local needy families and children buy toys, clothing and food during the holiday season.
On the first day of the event, Wednesday, Oct. 14, Jim Grant had the only hole-in-one. But he didn't stand alone for long. Thursday evening, Peter Farley, Tyler Nauffts and Tim DeRoche each sunk a hole-in-one within nearly an hour of each other. Although Friday didn't see a single hole-in-one, Walter Srybny came back on Saturday to nab the final hole-in-one.
Volunteers over the course of the event included players and coaches from the Varsity and Junior Varsity Haverhill High School Golf Team and members and advisers from the Whittier Vo-Tech and Haverhill High School Key Clubs.
The Gazette would also like to thank Mary and Ted Murphy for their generosity and support over the past 40 years.
