This is the story of my shot at a $1 million. Probably the best chance I'll ever have. And now...the story...

It was a warm and sunny day. Barely a cloud dotted the baby blue sky. It was hot, but not too hot. The greens were perfect, the fairways pristine. The course at Dell Rapids was primed and ready for a hole-in-one worth a cool $1 million. I walked up to hole number 3 at Rocky Run Golf Course. The biggest question of my life (well, not really but it makes the story better): Should I use my 7 iron? Or maybe my 6? Which one would get it there, but not too much? I don't want to be short of the green, but I don't want to blow it by either. I just don't want to embarrass myself, and maybe I'll get lucky.  

I ask for a ball from a golfing buddy. He dials up coordinates on the ball (just put his finger on it and pretended to push buttons...he's a little off I think) to assure the right shot. I push my lime green tee softly into the warm tee box soil. I take one last look at the green. The hole is 180 yards from my ball. Then I take another last look at the green. I take a practice swing. And then one last look at the green.

I push the blade of my 6 iron (I chose the 6, I didn't want to be short) to the ball. I don't feel too nervous surprisingly. My back swing is smooth, I try not to think too much. I strike the ball with ease, and the ball takes flight. Off the club I hear some cheers. It felt good, and right now it looks pretty good. It flies toward the hole. I hit it high, but was it too high? I couldn't tell. The sun took the flight of the ball from my eyes, then I saw it hit. It was on the green. But there's no roll. Not even a bit. It stuck on the green, about 15 feet from the cup. The million bucks wasn't to be, but it was fun to have a shot.

The whole thing was part of a fundraising tournament to benefit Dell Rapids St. Mary's schools. It was a blast, and that warm sun left my neck and face a nice shade of scarlet. (Good thing I can wear makeup...well it's sort of good I guess.) It was for a good cause, and it'll probably be my best, and last, chance to win that much money. Unless they invite me next year...(hint hint...I want another shot!)