Kentucky Derby Festival's Hole-in-One Contest Offers $1 Million Prize

Golfers compete for the chance to win big at the annual event in Louisville.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:52pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting depicting a golfer mid-swing, with the golf ball trailing a neon streak through the air, capturing the raw energy and movement of the sport.The Kentucky Derby Festival's hole-in-one contest offers golfers a thrilling chance at a life-changing $1 million prize, fueling the competitive spirit and energy of the annual event.Louisville Today

The Kentucky Derby Festival's hole-in-one golf contest has returned, giving golfers the opportunity to compete for a $1 million prize. The contest features multiple rounds, with golfers aiming for the closest shot on a 100-yard hole to qualify. Those who qualify then advance to the semifinals and finals, where they face a 150-yard shot with just one swing to win the grand prize. While no one has ever hit the $1 million shot in the finals, some golfers have managed hole-in-ones during the preliminary rounds.

Why it matters

The hole-in-one contest is a long-standing tradition of the Kentucky Derby Festival, drawing in golfers from across the region to compete for the chance to win big. The high-stakes nature of the event and the potential for a life-changing payout adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the festival.

The details

The hole-in-one contest works as follows: Golfers aim for the closest shot on a 100-yard hole to qualify. Those who qualify then advance to the semifinals and finals, where they face a 150-yard shot with just one swing to win the $1 million prize. While some golfers have managed hole-in-ones during the preliminary rounds, no one has ever hit the $1 million shot in the finals.

  • The hole-in-one contest runs from April 16 to April 26, 2026.
  • There is a pause in the contest on Saturday, April 19, 2026, for the Thunder Over Louisville event.

The players

Jim Ice

A golfer from southern Indiana who has made it a tradition to be the first person to tee off at the hole-in-one contest each year.

Marty Storch

A volunteer with the hole-in-one contest who has witnessed some incredible feats, including multiple hole-in-ones in a single day.

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What they’re saying

“When I know that Thursday's coming, I'm here.”

— Jim Ice, Golfer

“Normally, I hit out of seven just because seven is my lucky number.”

— Jim Ice, Golfer

“The finals, you only get one swing for it. I try to talk stockyards into having multiple swings. Every good golfer knows you should get a mulligan.”

— Marty Storch, Volunteer

“I think one day we even had six hole in ones. That's pretty incredible.”

— Marty Storch, Volunteer

“I remember the first year that I qualified, I was the number one to hit off the tee down here, and I immediately walked up, shanked it right off the toe, hit it over in the houses to the right, walked down to the creek, threw my nine iron in and walked away.”

— Jim Ice, Golfer

What’s next

The hole-in-one contest will continue until April 26, 2026, with a pause on Saturday, April 19 for the Thunder Over Louisville event.

The takeaway

The Kentucky Derby Festival's hole-in-one contest is a long-standing tradition that offers golfers the chance to win a life-changing $1 million prize. While no one has ever hit the grand prize shot, the event continues to draw in golfers from across the region, showcasing the excitement and anticipation surrounding the annual festival.