A Hole-in-One For Former NFL Star

Former NY Giants running back Ottis “OJ” Anderson made a hole-in-one to win $100,000 during the Cranford Rotary Club’s Annual Golf Tournament in front of nearly 100 people at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, NJ recently.

Now in it’s 22nd year, the tournament has included for the past seven years a “$100,000 Shoot-out,” where five qualifiers each take a single shot to make a hole-in-one for the grand prize. The qualifiers were selected during the day through a closest-to-the-pin contest, and the contestants took aim from 150 yards away as fellow golfers and guests watched on. The $100,000 Shoot-out was sponsored by Garlic Rose Bistro of Cranford.

“I was just trying to get it close,” said Anderson, the Super Bowl MVP for the NY Giants in Super Bowl XXV. “I was as shocked as anyone else when it disappeared in the cup.” The ace was Anderson’s first.

Anderson was not the only big winner of the evening, though. With its largest single donation ever from the golf tournament, the Rotary Club presented Cranford PAL a check for $10,000 to support its youth athletic programs. Additional proceeds from the event go towards approximately $15,000 in scholarships presented each year by the club.

But no doubt, the biggest buzz of the evening was the rare feat that occurred right in front of everyone’s eyes. 

The Rotary club’s golf tournament has for more than two decades supported local organizations and charities. It is supported each year by scores of businesses and individuals who take part through sponsorships, donations and participation, with this year's primary sponsor being ShopRite of Garwood.

"Rotary's motto is ‘Service Above Self’,” chimed Rotary President Dave Del Vecchio. “Cranford Rotary's Annual Golf Tournament has become a premier event in Union County for those interested in fellowship and supporting community projects.”