Hartselle’s Jimmy Reist, front, warms up on the driving range with a swarm of other golfers — many watching a helicopter as it readied for the ball drop — on Monday at TP Country Club.

J.C. Chappell and Bob Moody had so much fun at the 22nd annual Cullman Regional Medical Center Foundation’s Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Extravaganza that they just couldn’t pass up on the 23rd.

As hordes of eager golfers hustled and bustled between the clubhouse, driving range and putting green Monday at TP Country Club, Chappell and Moody stayed planted in their cart, raring and ready to hit the pristine course. Conversation between the brothers-in-law quickly turned to last year’s event, where Chappell qualified for the million-dollar shootout with the closest ball to the pin on the par-3 12th.

He and three others returned to that very hole later in the evening for the chance to win a $1 million, 40-year annuity. Chappell ultimately didn’t cash in on the seven-figure sum, however — no one has in tournament history — citing darkness due to a rain delay as the chief reason an ace escaped his grasp.

“I know that’s the only reason I missed the green,” Chappell joked. “I came up a little short that time, but I thoroughly enjoyed the chance at shooting for a million dollars.”

The opportunity to take another swing at the lifechanging prize was more than enough to bring Chappell back to TP on Monday. He and Moody secured their spots in the field from Dr. Josiah Daily, the former’s nephew and latter’s son-in-law who just so happens to be the director of the CRMC’s emergency room.

Daily is not Chappell’s only connection to the local hospital.

His wife doesn’t work there, but she’s spent plenty of time at the state-of-the-art site recovering from unfortunate medical woes. Before taking off for the links, Chappell was proud to declare his spouse’s bill of health is now on the upswing.

“My wife had breast cancer two years ago and had everything done in Cullman,” he said. “She’s doing great two years later. Great facility up there.”

Executive director Maria Stanford said the CRMC Foundation raised close to $100,000 in 2013 and was hoping to raise that amount or more from this year’s extravaganza. A tournament-record 51 four-man teams that all paid $500 to enter — not to mention loads of sponsorships and other minor revenue sources, like mulligan packages and helicopter ball drop tickets — had the group well on its way to that goal.

Stanford said last year’s proceeds went to the hospital’s Refresh-A-Room project. This year’s will be set aside for unrestricted funds, which allows the foundation to secure grants, as well as “the latest-and-greatest equipment” for various departments at the CRMC.

James Clements couldn’t have asked for a better time to take over as the hospital’s interim CEO. Just four weeks into the job, his work station for the day was shifted to TP, where he soaked in the lush course, the slew of people who overtook it for the tourney and even got in a round of golf himself.

The event is highlighted by the hole-in-one shootout and four-man scramble but also annually features a helicopter ball drop, putting contest and long-drive competition. With those staples and a dedicated crew that successfully carries them out each and every year, Clements doesn’t see the event slowing down any time soon.

“I think it’s all their hard work and their volunteers and board members and the goodness of the community that’ve made it continue to grow,” Clements said.

Sure, some golfers might be drawn in by the fat check they’d take home on the off chance they actually carded an ace. But to Clements, the majority of participants have a different motive in mind.

“I think it’s for the cause — to help our community’s hospital and the goodness of the people of Cullman,” he said.

Danny McAfee, a foundation board member for more than 20 years, wholeheartedly agreed with Clements’ assessment of the CRMC as the “community’s hospital.”

“All these folks realize that our hopsital does belong to us, and they’re out here supporting it,” he said. “That’s great.”