Brian Heck stepped up to the 163-yard par-three second hole at Triple Crown Country Club in Union, pulled a six iron, and aced it.

Heck, a Lakeside Park resident, hit the first-ever hole-in-one in 33 years of Point/Arc golf classics during the third annual Mike Dyas Golf Classic in late July. It was also his first hole-in-one ever, and his 25th time playing in a Point/Arc tournament.

"I play golf about thirty times a year," Heck, who works for Richard Goettle Inc., told the Northern Kentucky Tribune. "As for participating with The Point/Arc, I have known the Gerding Family forever."

The tournament drew 120 golfers in 30 foursomes to Triple Crown Country Club, raising money for The Point/Arc, a Northern Kentucky nonprofit that has served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1972. The organization supports more than 1,500 individuals annually through residential group homes, employment programs, and social enterprises including Point Perk Coffeehouse and ZELS Pretzels.

First-time winners take the title

The foursome of Sam Barnett, Alex Vaughn, Bret Reedy, and Mark Miller shot 14 under par to claim their first tournament title. Last year's champions, Jordan Griffin, Mike Kessling, Matt Brady, and Steve Lock, had won with a 15 under.

Heck walked away with more than bragging rights. He also won the Closest to the Pin trophy and a two-year lease from Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell.

A 30-year thank you

The event's most personal moment came when Judi Gerding, the founder and president of The Point/Arc, presented a 30-year service plaque to Andy VonLehman, chairman of the Dyas Classic, recognizing three decades of volunteer work for the organization.

Gerding, who turns 86 on August 6, founded The Point/Arc in 1972 when three parent groups united to advocate for their children with disabilities. The nonprofit now operates 19 residential group homes across Northern Kentucky.

Honoring Mike Dyas

The golf classic has been held at Triple Crown Country Club for 33 years but was renamed three years ago to honor Mike Dyas, who served as president and CEO of Sterling Cut Glass from 1976 to 2021 and sat on The Point/Arc's board. Dyas died Oct. 6, 2023, at age 76.

"His favorite things included trophies, golf, and The Point/Arc," Gerding recalled.

No total fundraising amount from the 2026 classic has been announced.