A Clarksville, Tennessee man's luck turned green earlier this month when he won $200,000 in the Kentucky Cash Ball lottery.
David Crowe, 56, told Kentucky lottery officials that even though Tennessee's lottery is up and running, it's the Flash Market store in Oak Grove, Ky., where he always buys his ticket.
Crowe has been playing the lottery in Kentucky for 12 years. His wife, Sue, bought the winning ticket for him saying she just happened to be the one who went into the store.
"It was a quick pick. I think it's pretty sad I pick him a winner, but I can't pick myself a winner," Mrs. Crowe said jokingly. The couple plans to pay off bills and "then we'll go from there," she said.
David Crowe said the couple also plans to take a vacation to Ohio to visit family.
"I'll probably go take a vacation we really haven't thought about it," he said. "I didn't think I'd ever win $200,000 I never, never thought it. I was really going for $2,000."
Crowe said for five years he's been driving 17 miles to Flash Mart because he likes the people at the service station.
"Dave, you're going to win big one of these days," Flash Market manager Steve Bose recently told Crowe.
Bose added that Crowe is one of his best regular customers, and he's happy for his sudden wealth.
"With David, we have a friendly relationship more than a business relationship," said Bose, who sold the winning ticket to Crowe's wife. "I guess she was his lucky charm."
Bose got an excited early morning call on Sept. 5 from Crowe who said he had won and "when can I come over and collect?"
"I thought he was kidding, then I found out he hit the jackpot. I myself couldn't believe it. I'm happy for him. He buys a lot of tickets, so he deserves it," Bose said.
But his recent Kentucky Cash Ball win wasn't his first. He took home $2,000 about two years ago at the same store.
Kentucky Lottery communications specialist Jennifer Cunningham said Crowe's win proves it pays to play in Kentucky.
Yes I have played cashball every time I go to Kentucky. That to me is a fair game.
Did he stay home to play $215 million Powerball?
good question.
We won't know.