At the conclusion of the 33rd annual Sunny King Charity Classic golf tournament today, Humphries will take a 160-yard fairway shot with the chance to win $1 million dollars.
At Friday night’s social event at the Anniston Country Club, committee member Jason Alderman drew Humphries’ name first from the velvet purple bag full of all of the 390 tournament participants. Committee member Hank Smith said this is the first year someone will attempt the shot for a million dollars; usually it is two fairway shots for a chance at $100,000 each and a 25-foot putt for $25,000.
Though Humphries was startled with the news of his name being drawn for the record shot, he already has a strategy in mind.
“I will try to take some deep breaths and not grip the club with white-knuckled fear,” he said.
“I think I’ll just close my eyes and swing.”
Humphries, who has lived in Oxford for more than 30 years and calls Calhoun County his home, said he started playing golf “a little later in life” and has played on and off for about 25 years.
This year he is competing in the tournament with his youngest son, Chad.
“I’m extremely nervous,” Humphries said. “Because I’m not very good. I have a lack of talent, but I love the sport. I’ll try not to embarrass my family and everyone.”
After about 10 years of carrying out the money giveaway fairway shots and putt, they have become a popular tradition at the Calhoun County golf tournament. Committee member Brad Williams said it was Bill Wakefield’s decision to bump up the amount to a million.
“A lot of people enjoy seeing people attempt shots for that kind of money,” Williams said.
Despite the fact Humphries said his chance of making the hole-in-one is one in two million, he said he would give the money to his church, pay for his son to finish college and try to help people.
“He is a wonderful man,” Karen Burks said of Humphries, whom she has known for 23 years.
Three other lucky participants will also be shooting at the conclusion of the tournament for the chance to win some cash.
Michael Abney and Davan Evans will have the chance to win $100,000 each by taking a 160-yard fairway shot. Dalton Chandler will attempt a 25-foot putt for the chance at winning $25,000.
Alderman said the fairway shot is tough because it is a “downhill breaker.” If Humphries is successful, he will be the first ever to make the shot.
