Nikole Babb
nbabb@cherryroad.com
$6.3 million in cash & prize money available to win
In a turn to wrap fundraising efforts into one event instead of multiple throughout the year, El Dorado Main Street has created an innovative and unique golf challenge that can only be found right here in Butler County. The Hot Shot Golf Challenge is unlike any other golf tournament with $6.3 million worth of cash and prizes available to win for amateurs and seasoned golfers alike.
What they believe to be the only challenge of its kind in the history of the State of Kansas, the Hot Shot Golf Challenge will take place next month. Only 300 golfers will be admitted onto the course that day to win cash and prizes. The challenges that golfers will compete in are:
-$1 million annuity hole in one (5 winners)
-$250,000 cash hole in one (5 winners)
-50’ putt for a brand-new Dutch Miller SUV (1winner)
Sponsored challenges:
-Longest drive (1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes)
-Closest to the line (1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes)
-Chipping contest (1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes)
-Sand trap (1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes)
In the longest drive, closest to the line, chipping and sand trap contests, first place will be awarded $1,000; second place $500 and third place $100. The $1 million hole in one challenge will be 165yrd swing. The $250k cash hole in one will be a 135yrd swing. In addition to these prizes that golfers can compete for, raffle prizes will be available for entry. The raffle prizes are:
-A 1-year membership at Prairie Trails Golf Course (Limited to 100 $50 tickets)
-All expenses paid trip for 2 to the Pebble Beach 2026 AT&T Pro/Am Golf Tournament (Limited to 200 $100 tickets)
Spectators can also enter into the raffle prizes. The challenge will be hosted at Prairie Trails Golf Course in El Dorado. There will be three rounds of tee times to section golfers off. Golfers are able to choose their preferred tee time of 9am, 12pm or 3pm. All golfers who enter the challenges are required to play all seven challenges.
“We wanted to promote amateur golf and give them that look and feel of professional golf to experience this,” said Craig Yaryan.
Yaryan is a former El Dorado Main Street Board Member and innovator behind the Hot Shot Golf Challenge. A golf enthusiast himself, he believes that all golfers deserve to play like the hot shots.
“We want to do something unusual and unexpected here in El Dorado,” said Emily Connel, Director of El Dorado Main Street.
The three big golf challenges are financially backed by a golf insurance agency, just like the pro tournaments. All prizes are guaranteed to be paid if they’re won according to rules and regulations. The competition will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025 with a rainout date of Sunday, June 8.
Tickets for the Hot Shot Golf Challenge will be sold online only at hotshotgolfchallenge.com. Only amateur golfers are allowed into the challenge, no professional carded golfers will be granted entry. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 5. All golfers must be 18+ years old. The challenge will begin with check-in starting an hour before the first tee time.
Five volunteers will be needed at each hole plus at the check-in tables and more. If interested in being a volunteer, visit the challenge website listed above.
El Dorado Main Street is a non-profit organization dedicated to boosting local businesses, strengthening retail and professional services, preserving the community’s heritage, and fostering pride in downtown El Dorado.
