Family legacy
Dr. Tom Stoy withstood the torment of his brother, Bob Stoy, long enough.
Tom Stoy, a family practice physician at the Family Medical Center in Little Falls since 1985, and a Little Falls native, felt left out of a family hole-in-one legacy -- both his parents and his brother have one.
That changed on a warm, sunny day June 28 in the Hands of Hope Charity Golf tournament at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Motley.
The 48-year-old took out his Callaway 7-wood and attacked the 181-yard, par-3, 15th hole with a high draw. Stoy's Titleist Pro V1, a ball he found in the woods, sailed through a slight breeze and over the trees on the right side of the fairway and landed on the green.
"It rolled right in," said Stoy, who started playing golf when he was 6. "The green is one where there is a big slope and it took a big bend into the hole.
"I did see it fall, except I wear contacts and I'm getting to the point where I should be wearing bifocals, too. So everything at that distance is kind of a blur. The guys I was playing with could see it clearer because they were all wearing glasses or had Lasik done. A gal that was down by the green started screaming that it went in."
The 13-handicapper, who previously had never won anything beyond a water bottle, not only captured his first hole in one. He also won a 2004 Buick Century from Falls GM.
"It is an actual win," said Stoy, who golfs once a week in men's league at the Little Falls Country Club. "I looked at the card twice or even three times to make sure it wasn't just a lease. It was a Buick promotion and the dealer buys hole-in-one insurance.
"I had to talk for 20 minutes to somebody to make sure everything I did was legit. I had to sign a statement and I had to have at least two witnesses. They all had to call the insurance guy in Atlanta, too."
It was a four-player scramble, so Stoy had three witnesses in his group along with the two women near the green. His playing partners, Pat Rioux, Dr. Phil Prosapio and Carl Vaagenes, joined Stoy's celebration.
"That was hilarious," said Stoy, whose father died in January and whom he believes helped him finally get the ace. "Pat hit first and he was on and off all day. He hits first and he gets it off the tee box. I was No. 2 and everyone was dumbfounded.
Dr. Tom Stoy of Little Falls shot a hole-in-one during the Hands of Hope Charity Golf tournament at Pine Ridge Golf Club in Motley. Stoy won a 2004 Buick Century with his ace on the 181-yard, par 3, 15th hole. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
"Then Carl starts teeing up his ball and Phil goes to him and says, 'What the heck are you doing?' Carl wanted to hit his tee shot, too."
Stoy had a more difficult time convincing his wife, Brigid, who also has a hole in one, that he won a car. She was in a foursome behind Stoy's group and didn't believe him.
"They totally thought we were lying and that we weren't to be trusted," said Stoy.
After the tournament Stoy had the enjoyment of telling his three sons what he had won. His oldest son, Paddy, is an exchange student in Argentina so Stoy sent an e-mail to him. Stoy's 15-year-old son, Kelly, just got his drivers' permit and was wondering if they could trade the car for a newer vehicle. The youngest son, Gilly, was disappointed it wasn't a golf cart.
The value of the car is still being debated. The sticker price is $22,900, but there is a $4,000 rebate. The exact amount is important to Stoy for tax purposes.
"My old vehicles aren't worth a hill of beans," he said. "If you have a teen-ager driving a car you'll know what I mean. We have to keep our old cars. But I do fully plan on making a nice donation to Hands of Hope and I do intend to support them for many more years."
It was the first hole in one in the seventh annual Hands of Hope tournament, which raised an estimated $7,000.
The Hands of Hope Resource Center is a community-based non-profit organization that serves Morrison and Todd counties.
"We work with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse in both counties," said Charles Hempeck, Hands of Hope agency director. "We also have a general crime and visitation center in Morrison County."
JEREMY MILLSOP can be reached at jeremy.millsop@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5856.