Jan. 23, 2025 – The South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation hosted its eighth annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford on Saturday, Jan. 18. This year, all finalists were unable to place, but the event raised $16,029 in support of SFSC Athletics.
Golfers participated in the three-day Golf Shootout and new Putt Challenge, which began on Thursday, Jan. 16 at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring. A record number of golfers turned out to vie for the $1 million prize with 116, and 24 golfers tried to putt their way to $10,000.
The golfers who rounded out the group of 12 shootout qualifiers were: Kyle Braxton, Dave Johnson, Jeff Polen, Steve Sortore, Tosh Banning, Scott Hitt, Jeff Taylor, Julian Gonzalez, Randy Bonney, Carlos Maldonado, Andy Polk, and Peter Elliott. The Putt Challenge finalist was Terri Thayer.
“Anytime we can see an event exceed a previous year is a great accomplishment,” said Jamie Bateman, vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs at SFSC. “This, of course, couldn’t be possible without our sponsors and golfers who come out each year to support our athletes, and who bring their friends. SFSC is blessed with the amazing support we receive from our community.”
Proceeds from the golf shootout benefit SFSC Panther Athletic with teams in women’s volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. SFSC’s student-athletes assisted throughout the Golf Shootout.
For more information on the event or how to become a sponsor for next year’s Golf Shootout, contact the SFSC Foundation at 863-453-3313.
Jan. 16, 2024 – After the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation’s seventh annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout, sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford, on Saturday, Jan. 13, no one won the $1 million, but Kyle Braxton was the sole golfer who landed his ball on the green at 24’ 7” from the hole and winning $750. The event raised $11,551 for SFSC’s athletic programs.
This year, golfers swung in wet and cold conditions to qualify during the three-day Golf Shootout that began on Thursday, Jan. 11, and was held at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring. Despite the weather conditions, 94 people turned out to vie for the $1 million prize. Golfers included 12 from out-of-state, two from outside the country, and 12 women, the highest female participation in the event’s history.
The golfers who rounded out the group of 12 qualifiers were: Tod Phillips, Steve Sortore, Ricky Weppler, Michael Thayer, Chris Pingel, Mike Nelson, Kyle Braxton, Richard Sinclair, Rodger Dowe, Tom Kestler, Michael Kelly, and Bill Parrett. Tod Phillips hit a hole-in-one during day two of the qualifying rounds.
“The 2024 SFSC Foundation’s Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout sponsored by Bill Jarrett Ford was again an outstanding event,” said Rick Hitt, SFSC athletic director. “Thank you to our sponsors, to our volunteers, and of course to our outstanding participants who came out each day regardless of the weather to get themselves on the leaderboard. We continue to be blessed to live in a community that
supports so many different events and the Million Dollar Shootout is no exception. SFSC Athletics is extremely grateful for the proceeds from this event to assist in all aspects of the Panther athletic program. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue hosting this event and look forward to 2025 with great anticipation.”
Proceeds from the golf shootout benefit SFSC Panther athletic teams in women’s volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. SFSC’s student-athletes assisted throughout the Golf Shootout.
For more information on the event or how to become a sponsor for next year’s Golf Shootout, contact the SFSC Foundation at 863-453-3313.
Feb. 7, 2022 – This year’s fifth annual Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Shootout drew golfers to the Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club in Sebring for a chance to hit a hole-in-one and walk away with a $1 million prize. During the three days of qualifying from Jan. 13 through Jan. 15, the South Florida State College (SFSC) Foundation raised funds to support the College’s Athletic Department. SFSC fields four athletic teams: women’s volleyball, women’s cross country, men’s baseball, and women’s softball. The total amount raised was approximately $17,700.
“I am pleased that the student-athletes are respectable and that they are representing our community in a professional and courteous way,” said event sponsor Ronnie Carter, Century 21 Advanced All Service Realty, Inc.
On the evening of Saturday, Jan. 15, the 12 finalists took one shot at winning the $1 million prize by making a hole-in-one at the par-3 18th hole of Deer Run. Although no one walked away with the ultimate prize, first-place finalist Steve Sortore of Plainfield, Ind. won $750 for landing his ball 20’ 11” from the hole. Donald Bressette of Sebring, Fla. claimed $500 for second place when his ball fell 40’ 7” from the hole, and third-place Brad Crone of Estero, Fla. received $250 for getting within 50’ 7”.
“We appreciate our sponsors and the competitors who participated in this event,” said Jamie Bateman, executive director of institutional advancement at SFSC. “The SFSC Foundation provides financial support to students, which enhances their access to the affordable, quality education, training, and experience they will need to excel as tomorrow’s leaders. This was also a fun and exciting time getting to know the golfers as they battle to get on the leaderboard.”
Thank you to this year’s sponsors:
- Event Sponsor – Century 21 Advanced All Service Realty, Inc.
- Award Sponsor – AdventHealth Sebring
- Media Sponsors – Herald Advocate and Sebring Radio
- Hitting Zone Sponsors – Dr. Deborah Fuschetti, Marmer Construction, Sun ‘N Lake Improvement District, Albritton Insurance Services, LLC, Bowen and Son Roofing, Inc., W2 Holdings, LLC, and Quality Tees & Sporting Goods
- Qualifying Sponsors – The Estrada Family; Havery Services, LLC; Tom and Nancy Leitzel; Lena Phelps; Creative Printing; Glades Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Cullen, Mackenzie, and Emmarie Fells; Dr. David Boersma; Turner Furniture; Indy Boys; Robbins Nursery; Twilight Glass; and Sunny South Exterminators
