Randy Abernathy of Belmont will get a boost to his retirement after he played the 50X The Cash scratch-off game and won $1 million.

“This is a very good thing to happen when you’re retired,” Abernathy said.

The Air Force veteran said he was on his way to play golf Wednesday afternoon when he stopped by Mike’s Food Store on Post Road in Shelby to get a Mountain Dew.

“I always stop somewhere to get a drink before I go golfing,” Abernathy said. “I saw the ticket, I actually won $1,000 on it last year, and I decided to try my luck again.”

Abernathy played his round of golf, and scratched the ticket when he got home.

“I was just really surprised,” Abernathy said. “I looked at it a couple of times. I really just didn’t know what exactly to do.”

Abernathy claimed his prize Friday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking an annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $423,009. In addition to retirement, he plans to use some of the money to renovate his house which he’s had for over 30 years.

“I’m going to fix my deck,” Abernathy said. “I’ve been putting it off, but it will be nice to sit out there and enjoy the afternoons.”

50X The Cash launched in February 2017 with four top prizes of $1 million. Abernathy claimed the last top prize, which means the lottery will begin steps to end the game.

Ticket sales from instant games like 50X The Cash make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million a year for the state. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.