Kirk Hegna has hit three hole-in-ones throughout his life. But the one he hit during the annual Tomah Health Community Foundation Golf Outing Aug. 1 is one he will remember. His shot on the No. 10, 170-yard hole at Tomah’s Hiawatha Golf Club won him $25,000.
Hegna and his wife, Barb of Madison stopped by Tomah Health Sept. 4 to donate $5,000 of the winnings back to the Tomah Health Community Foundation. “It’s still surreal. It’s like did that really, really happen,” Hegna said recalling his shot Aug.1. “When it went in, I think we all just kind of look at each other and then Mike Betthauser might have said, ‘did he just win 25 grand?’”
Hegna said the donation is an opportunity to give back to a worthwhile organization that does a lot for health and wellness initiatives in the Tomah area. “I was glad we could do something. The Tomah community is where I grew up and learned my work ethic and values, so it was super important to give back.”
Hegna was one of 116 golfers to take part in the golf outing. Hegna, Mike Bursinger, Mike Betthauser and Rick Carlson made up the foursome of the Carlson Advisors team which has participated in the outing for several years.
Foundation ex-officio Eric Prise said the hole-in-one was the first one recorded in the 29 years the foundation has held the fundraising event. “It was exciting day and one that will be remembered for a long time,” said Prise.
Taphouse Twenty of Tomah was the sponsor of the hole-in-one event paying the insurance that covered the $25,000 prize, while CCF Bank of Tomah was the main sponsor of the annual outing. Prise said the Foundation will celebrate the outing’s 30th anniversary with next year’s event Aug. 7, 2026.
