BECKLEY, W.Va. — Some 48 days after two holes-in-one saw resort owner Jim Justice handing out $192,000 to fans at the Greenbrier Classic, the jackpot payout remains in dispute.
Underwriters who filed suit Wednesday claim they’re not responsible for the money because the insurance policy purchased by Old White Charities covered aces from a distance of at least 170 yards on the 18th hole. The lawsuit, first reported by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, alleges George McNeil and Justin Thomas made their shots from only 137 yards on July 2, the opening day of the tournament.
Media reports on the yardage were conflicting, even on the PGA’s website. An article listed the hole as playing 137 yards, but a video of Thomas’ ace and the PGA shot-tracker referenced the length at 175 yards.
The Greenbrier jackpot promotion promised $100 to each person in the 18th gallery after the first hole-in-one. It rose to $500 for the second ace, and a third would have meant $1,000 per person.
After roaming through the jovial grandstands handing out cash, the billionaire Justice—who earlier announced plans to run for governor in 2016—put the tab at $192,400. An additional $75,000 was donated between the golfers’ preferred charities.
The insurance policy promised to pay $150,000 for a first hole-in-one, $750,000 for a second ace, and $1.4 million for a third, according to the lawsuit. Old White Charities, a nonprofit arm of the Greenbrier that operates the Classic, reportedly filed a full $900,000 claim for the two holes-in-one, which underwriters declined.
Fans seated on the 18th green receiveing $100 from @The_Greenbrier‘s Owner, Jim Justice for McNeill’s hole-in-one! pic.twitter.com/E0ywustWPx — TheGreenbrierClassic (@GbrClassic) July 2, 2015
With Justice campaigning for next May’s Democratic primary, the cash payout became fodder for Republican opponents.
“We have a candidate for governor who is handing out cash payments to potential voters, state-subsidized cash payments no less. At best, this is the appearance of impropriety. At worst, it’s a felony,” said Conrad Lucas, the GOP state party chair.
Democrat party vice chair Chris Regan’s response: “Because Republicans suddenly feel threatened by it, they’re going to turn it into a nasty political attack, have their chairman go on the radio and accuse people of a felony? That’s absurd.”