Harrisburg man makes BGC history

History was made at the Brandon Golf Course on Saturday, July 1, when a Harrisburg man scored a $10,000 prize in the 11^th Annual Hurney Tourney.

Andrew Krier, 25, of Harrisburg, used a 9-iron to ace No. 4, a 3-par, 160-yard hole. The $10,000 cash prize was the first major prize to be won in the BGC’s 38-year history.

“All these outings over the years, and this was the first big prize to go out,” said Zane Swenson, BMGC manager/golf pro.

“It turned out to be a better day than expected,” said Krier, who’s been playing the game since he was 6 years old. He added that his shot off the tee “felt like a really good shot.” The ball landed about three feet from the cup and swung back and fell in is how Krier explained the feat.

Krier, who was married this past spring, said his unexpected fortune will likely pay for a honeymoon this winter.

This was the second year Krier has played in the Hurney Tourney, which is organized by Kerry Thill’s family. Thill, who is the BGC banquet/lounge manager, said the tournament was started 11 years ago when her cousin, Matt Hurney, was deployed to Iraq with the 147^th Field Artillery Unit. Proceeds from the event benefitted Hurney and fellow Unit members who were deployed.

Since then, proceeds from the tournament have been directed to a variety of worthy causes, including the Brandon Valley Backpack program, Cure Kids Cancer and Wounded Warriors programs.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response to this tournament,” Thill said, noting how the couple thousand dollars of profit has grown to more than $10,000 annually. Last year, Thill said $12,000 was donated to Cure Kids Cancer.

Thill said 146 golfers participated this year, and the tournament has drawn a high of 168 golfers.

The $10,000 hole-in-one prize was sponsored by Riverview Insurance of Tea.

“I just really appreciate the tournament and the cause,” said Krier, “and it was an honor to be able to play in the tournament.”