Yellowknife (May 12/04) - Five hundred and one hopeful golfers stepped up last weekend in an attempt to win a Ford Mustang in the Ultimate Long Putt Challenge at the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring Trade Show.

Michael Gray didn't let a basketball injury keep him from trying to win a Mustang at the trade show last weekend. - Daniel T'seleie/NNSL photo

But nobody managed to pull it off. To win the car, you had to sink four out of five putts from 30 feet.

The challenge was sponsored by the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, First Air, Maclab Hotels and Resorts and Kingland Ford.

Despite the difficulty in sinking putts that consistently, the event was hugely popular.

"The line ups were non-stop," said Sarah Archer, office manager for the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.

All the hopeful putters had to walk away (not drive), but most didn't leave empty handed.

"Every kid that putted got a musical ball that lights up," said Kim Poulter, promotions and sales coordinator for First Air.

Many of the adults got hats and golf balls. There were some big winners, too. A couple lucky Yellowknifers won free trips to Edmonton in two separate incidents when First Air spontaneously decided to give tickets out to the next person who could sink three in a row.

Everyone wanted that car, though.

"I'll be back tomorrow," said Fred Koe who won a plane ticket and a new putter, but would still like to be driving south in his own Mustang.

Michael Gray isn't old enough to drive, but he tried his luck anyway. And it really was luck considering he was putting with only one arm. He hurt the other in a basketball mishap.

Gray missed all his putts, but has no regrets considering the money he paid ($15) goes to a good cause.

The putting competition raised more than $1,200 for Facilities for Kids, a local group working to get a second ice pad at the Multiplex.

"We wanted to help get that Multiplex built," Poulter said.

As an added incentive to get potential putters participating, the organizers raffled off prizes for everyone who tried out.

Prizes included a two-day trip for two to Edmonton courtesy of First Air and Maclab Hotels and Resorts, a golf bag and a golf shirt.

Despite being a highlight of the trade show, organizers are not planning on another putting challenge next time.

But don't worry. Dale Thomson, executive director of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, says they are thinking of something "bigger and better" for next year.