Underwriters Sue Over Hole-in-One Jackpot in West Virginia

Insurance underwriters claim they shouldn’t have to reimburse a charity for payouts to golf fans for two holes-in-one made during the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., because the aces weren’t long enough.

The tournament’s insurance underwriters filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Beckley, W.Va., against Old White Charities, The Greenbrier Classic’s nonprofit financial arm.

Under a tournament-sponsored program, fans seated in the grandstands on the 18th hole of the Old White TPC course in White Sulphur Springs receive payouts of $100 for the first hole-in-one during the tournament, $500 for a second ace and $1,000 for a third.

George McNeill and Justin Thomas each made holes-in-one from 137 yards with pitching wedges hours apart on the par-3 18th on July 2.

After both holes-in-one, tournament chairman and The Greenbrier resort owner Jim Justice went through the grandstands handing out cash. The PGA Tour announced that total payouts of $192,000 were made. The tournament also gave McNeill $25,000 and Thomas $50,000 for the charities of their choice.

The lawsuit said Old White Charities’ policy required a minimum distance of 170 yards on the 18th hole and that the underwriters shouldn’t be responsible for the cash payouts. The lawsuit also said the premium of $106,470 wasn’t paid by a July 1 deadline.

The lawsuit was filed by London insurers Talbot 2002 Underwriting Capital Ltd., White Mountains Re Sirius Capital Ltd. and Markel Capital Ltd.