Make an Ace, Win a Million

If you're in the crowd at most PGA Tour events, the closest you'll come to some free gear is getting hit by an errant tee shot and land a glove from the player that conked you. This week, at the Greenbrier Classic, being in the stands means you could be part of a million dollar giveaway.

Oh, and then there is the golfer. Any ace on the par-3 18th this week means that the tournament will give out $1 million, with $250,000 going to the player that cards it and $750,000 going to their respective charity. If you are in the stands watching the great tee shot on the 160-yard hole, you get $100, and could get even more.

Here are the details ....

Should there be a second or third ace on the 162-yard par 3 that day, each would result in the same $1 million payout and distribution. But the fans will receive $500 and $1,000, respectively, for the second and third hole-in-one.

The promotion starts over each day so there is a potential maximum payout of $12 million for the actual aces and about half that much for the fans.

"I hope that will generate some real live excitement," said Jim Justice, who owns the Greenbrier. "There will be a lot of cheering going on for the pros and everything, and I hope they make a beaucoup of hole in ones, and I hope we have a lot of fun with it."

Honestly, is there a better idea for a lesser known golf tournament than something like this? Sure, it might not bring a ton of fans out from the railroad tracks, but it will generate buzz from fans anytime a ball comes close to the hole. Just think, this is the Par-3 Tournament at the Masters with actual cash prizes at stake.

Good call, Greenbrier Classic.