OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES

 

 

 

 

-- The Contest consists of four (4) days of qualifying rounds held at Lakeside Golf Course, leading up to the final Hole-In-One Shootout at Tates Creek Golf Course on October 11th.  Qualifying dates are to be held on August 30th, September 19th, September 27th, and October 3rd and may be rescheduled due to course conflicts or weather-related issues.  

 

-- Due to insurance stipulations, the competition is open to amateurs only.  Professional golfers are ineligible.  A professional golfer is one defined as an owner/operator of a professional golf club, course, association or organization at the current time or having held a professional golf certificate prior to the Hole-In-One Golf Contest or any person acting as a golf pro and receiving compensation for being a golf professional.

 

-- Contestants must use balls provided and play from designated (corresponding) tee area (box) only.  No other balls will be allowed.  The entry fee is the purchase of balls for play at the rate of $1.00 per ball, $5.00 for five (5) balls, $10.00 for eleven (11) balls, $20.00 for twenty-five (25) balls.  The Event Committee reserves the right to offer special promotions.  Additional cash payment will be allowed on the day of competition; however contestants should already be registered online through the Golf Genius registration.  There is no restriction on the number of balls that may be purchased.  All players must read and sign an official entry application including the applicant’s personal WAIVER OF LIABILITY.

 

-- The winning qualifier's names will be available at the Gilbert Bunnell Foundation Hole-In-One Shootout Golf Genius portal or www.gilbertbunnellfoundation.org

 

-- All qualifying shots must be hit between the specified qualifying dates and times listed.  Any shots struck before or after the posted closing time will not be counted.  During the qualifying rounds, the closest shot (one per day) will advance to the final shootout.  If there are multiple hole-in-ones on the qualifying day, both contestants will hit one additional ball to determine the winner.  Contestants are solely responsible for checking the official standing at the event site to determine if they are eligible as a Finalist.  

 

-- Official volunteers will always be present during the contest. Their decision in all matters is final.  Only designated officials shall exercise the right to question the eligibility of any participant. Eligibility may be revoked at the sole discretion of Event officials based on such considerations as extreme or unusual conduct, or based on the use of unfair, unrecognized, or illegal golfing apparatus or equipment. Permission to participate in the contest may be revoked at any time.

 

-- Officials will observe the green area throughout the contest.  The officials will periodically stop play to clear balls from the target area or when a golf ball comes to rest within the approximate area to be considered for measuring as one of the closest to the hole around the flagstick.  The distance from the front of the ball to the center of the hole will be measured and results recorded.  Official records will be posted in the registration area at the conclusion of each day’s round.  

 

-- A ball in motion stopped or deflected by any outside agency, another ball (whether at rest or still moving) or anything else will be counted as a shot and the results will stand regardless of the resting spot of the golf ball.  If a ball is at rest and is moved by another ball in motion, the original resting spot will still stand as the correct spot.  A ball at rest cannot be ricocheted closer to the hole for measuring. 

 

-- The contestant understands his or her entry into the event constitutes permission to use his or her name, image and likeness for advertising and publicity purposes without any additional compensation.  The contestant is aware that participation in this event may have bearing on his or her amateur athletic status.  The contestant is solely responsible for making determinations as to the consequences of participating in this event.  

 

-- Those people participating in the Gilbert Bunnell Foundation Hole-In-One Golf Contest do so at their own risk.  The Gilbert Bunnell Foundation, Play Golf Lexington, Board Members, Volunteers and other sponsors assume no responsibility for personal injury, loss or damage to personal, private or other property and equipment claimed lost or damaged which may be sustained by contestants or their guests.  The Entrant hereby agrees to hold harmless of any and all acts including negligence, The Gilbert Bunnell Foundation, Play Golf Lexington, Lakeside Golf Course, Tates Creek Golf Course, and other sponsors and tournament officials harmless in this regard.  

 

-- Winners are responsible for any taxes, licenses or related fees. Prizes may not be substituted or redeemed for cash or otherwise. Winner’s rights may not be transferred or assigned.

 

Good luck and we appreciate your participation in the 2026 Gilbert Bunnell Foundation Million Dollar Hole-In-One Contest