Celebrity News

Hole-in-one ace sues for $1M

Former Commodities Exchange chairman Martin Greenberg is suing former NBA star Alonzo Mourning‘s charity after he won $1 million for hitting a hole-in-one at its golf tournament — then was denied the prize after it was claimed the course had been improperly shortened.

Greenberg hit the hole-in-one at the Alonzo Mourning Charities tournament at Donald Trump‘s National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, NY, last August. But the insurer backing the event refused to pay up, claiming Greenberg’s required 150-yard shot had actually traveled only 139 yards.

Philanthropist Greenberg last night threw down his 9-iron and filed suit in state Supreme Court against the charity, which helps urban youth, event organizers and Trump’s Golf Club. He told us, “This situation should have been a happy and exciting event. It is my intention to use the proceeds for charitable purposes, which makes my being forced into legal action all the more tragic. Sadly, I was left with no choice.”

Greenberg is suing for the $1 million plus legal costs. The founder and CEO of Sterling Commodities Corp. said in court papers that after he aced the 13th hole, Mourning “personally congratulated” him. But an hour later, he was “summoned to the course” to meet with a rep for the insurers to identify the spot from which he hit his tee shot. They then “denied coverage” and have “refused to make any payments for the prize.”

Underwriter Odds on Promotions president Mark Gilmartin previously told us the hole-in-one had to be 150 yards to win the prize — but videotape showed it was short.

AM Charities CEO Vincent L. Dimmock said, “We help deliver positive change to high-risk kids in need, who stand to lose the most from this unfortunate lawsuit.”

A source close to the Trump Organizaion said, “We had nothing to do with the matter other than they chose to use our course.” The source added that Trump offered to play a round of 18 holes at Briarcliff with Greenberg, and if Greenberg won, Trump would pay him $1 million in cash on the spot. If Greenberg lost, he’d have to pay Trump $100,000. He didn’t take up the offer.