Steven DeMoura of Bethel, receives prize from Ed McGill (right), principal dealer of BMW of Ridgefield, while Jose Boa (left), co-chairman of the Portuguese Cultural Center, witnesses presentation. Mr. DeMoura won a new car, valued at $40,275, at the Portuguese Center’s 17th Annual Golf Classic when he hit a hole-in-one sponsored by BMW of Ridgefield. He received the check, instead of the car, on Thursday, July 18.
Imagine putting $40,275 in your child’s college fund when he or she is only seven months old.
That’s the reality for Steven DeMoura who won a new car from BMW of Ridgefield when he hit a hole-in-one at the 17th Annual Portuguese Cultural Center Golf Classic on June 5 at Richter Park Golf Course in Danbury.
The Bethel resident opted to receive the value of the car — $40,275 — in a check rather than drive out of the dealership with a new, sporty BMW.
“The day of the hole in one my son Max, who’s only seven months old, did his first roll over, so that was really the highlight of the day,” Mr. DeMoura said. “Now, I can start the process of saving for his college fund.”
Mr. DeMoura, who is a litigator out of Bethel, said he’s never hit a hole-in-one before in his life and classifies himself as an average golfer.
“It’s surreal, you take a lot of shots and never come even remotely close to hitting one like that,” he said. “When you hit a shot like that, from 180 yards out, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”
The first thing Mr. DeMoura did was call his wife, Kathryn, who is a second grade teacher at Branchville Elementary School.
“The best part of hitting the shot was calling my wife afterward,” he said. “She couldn’t believe it, she didn’t think it was possible.”
While the shot was a first for Mr. DeMoura, it was the second time in four years that a golfer came away a big winner at the PCC Golf Classic.
This was the ninth consecutive year BMW of Ridgefield sponsored the event.
“I just want to thank BMW of Ridgefield for their generosity and great sponsorship, they’ve been really great,” Mr. DeMoura concluded.
“The Portuguese Cultural Center deserves a lot of credit, it’s a great tournament and I’m looking forward to trying to hit another hole-in-one it next year.”
The tournament’s proceeds go to the PCC’s Building Fund, a non-profit fund that serves the greater Danbury community.
Ritcher Park Golf Course is rated one of the top 25 public golf courses in America.