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GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Mike Sweeney on September 24, 2008, 08:54:25 AM

Title: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Sweeney on September 24, 2008, 08:54:25 AM
My buddy had a Hole in One at Pine Valley #3 yesterday. I was not there  :'( but spoke to him on the phone and he sounded like an 8 year old who just hit his first walk off homer in Little League!

As tradition dictates, Pine Valley pulled the flag and I believe The Pro and his playing partners sign the flag and he gets to keep it. Not even members get flags at Pine Valley, unless they get a Hole in One.

I am sure it has been done here before, but any "special" holes in one out there?

I am currently 0 for 10,000+ holes.

Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Jim Franklin on September 24, 2008, 08:56:14 AM
Is 4 birdies in a row then a hole-in-one special at Turnberry? If so, yes, if not, no.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: John Foley on September 24, 2008, 08:58:55 AM
Mike,

Cool story. One of my old VP's worked for / sold to ATT / Lucent for just about his whole life.

In an outing at Pebble prior to the Pro-Am w/ a bunch of ATT / Lucent people he aced #7.

His secretary told me he would tell that story 4 -5 times a day every day afterwards.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: JESII on September 24, 2008, 09:07:34 AM
Sween,

I have been in the room at Pine Valley when they present the flag, ball, signatures and all to a guy...just one of a number of things they do really well there to make it special. They will have it mounted for you in a really attractive frame if you want afterwards.

I caddied for a hole-in-one there on #3 by one of the managing partners of Sandler, O'Neill in about '97 or '98. It became more special after 9/11, unfortunately.

I am currently 1 for 10,000, but 0 for my last 7,000
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Scott Sander on September 24, 2008, 09:09:31 AM
My Dad has 2.

The first came on a day that his ballstriking led him to borrow a buddy's 5 iron.  First swing - ace.

So he goes out and buys the same set (MacGregor JNPs) and plays well with them for nearly 20 years through the middle of this summer, when...

...he gets an invite to play Medinah #3 - and with a new set of irons on order, pulls out a JNP and plops in his second ace.

So they went in with a bang and out with a bang.  Nice.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tommy Williamsen on September 24, 2008, 09:13:39 AM
Mike I took my son to PV when he was 16.  The pin on number 3 was in the center.  My son hit his tee ball to the far right of the green.  The ball hung for a second and then started to to drift down the hill.  It picked up speed as it slide down the hill.  We were just beginning to cheer until it hung on the lip. 

By the way is it "holes in one" or "hole in ones? I hear both.

I made a hole in one about fifteen years ago on my first round after ACL surgery.  I barely could walk and still had a brace on my leg.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Anthony Fowler on September 24, 2008, 09:28:22 AM
No Pine Valley here, but I had a fun one to close out a round on a 310 yard par 4.  I hit a good tee shot right where I knew the ball could kick down to the green.  We got up to the green and couldn't find the ball anywhere.  When I finally courage to check the cup, I found it happily resting there for a double eagle 1. 

Here's a rendering of the hole.  Anyone played it?

http://www.granitelinksgolfclub.com/Images/Library/hole09.jpg
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Rich Goodale on September 24, 2008, 10:24:29 AM
One of my finanical advisers e-mailed me recently to let me know that he had just taken up golf and aced a 188-yd hole with a 3-wood on the 6th round of his life (possibly a Redan, using the "kick-plate"?).  He doesn't see what is the big deal about holes in one.......
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: tlavin on September 24, 2008, 10:53:33 AM
I had one on my birthday.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: JMorgan on September 24, 2008, 10:55:19 AM
As tradition dictates, Pine Valley pulled the flag and I believe The Pro and his playing partners sign the flag and he gets to keep it. Not even members get flags at Pine Valley, unless they get a Hole in One.

Add that one to my list of golf mememtos.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tom Huckaby on September 24, 2008, 10:57:39 AM
My sole and only ace in 37 years of golf - which the envious or malicious or malcontents of the world say doesn't count since it occurred on a par three golf course - also occurred with my then 9 year old son, in a match against him, and allowed me to HALF the hole as he got two strokes and made one of the few pars of his young life.  It impressed the heck out of him.  I thought it was pretty special.

TH
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: PThomas on September 24, 2008, 11:04:01 AM
I got one at the 17th at my local muni....after the ball went under the windmill...ow, never mind......
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tony_Muldoon on September 24, 2008, 11:06:16 AM
One of my finanical advisers


It's good to be Rich. ;)
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: PThomas on September 24, 2008, 11:16:58 AM
I got one at the 17th at my local muni....after the ball went under the windmill...ow, never mind......

i forgot to add my congrats to the real acer...i hope my first one can be at a special place too!
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Bart Bradley on September 24, 2008, 11:34:04 AM
For those of us who remain barren...is there any such thing as a "not very special hole in one".  Congrats...I think any ace would be pretty special.

Bart
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tom Huckaby on September 24, 2008, 11:35:58 AM
For those of us who remain barren...is there any such thing as a "not very special hole in one".  Congrats...I think any ace would be pretty special.

Bart

BINGO!

One hopes it will occur at Pine Valley.
One takes it if it occurs on the short course at Santa Teresa.

TH
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: SPDB on September 24, 2008, 12:03:33 PM
I'm betting the pin was front to middle left. I'm also betting there are quite a few aces on this hole, mostly to this position.

I have a friend who made one on #3 during his first "Members Weekend." That's quite a way to make your debut at PV.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Vegis @ Kiawah on September 24, 2008, 12:32:35 PM
I had always worried that I'd get my first on some po-dunk course or that I'd skull the shot and have it roll the entire length of the hole and drop in almost by accident.  But, I got my first one a couple of years ago on No. 5 at The Ocean Course.  Played lousy on the first four holes, hit a pure 5 iron into a 20 mph wind and aced it.  Lost the ball on the next tee shot and played lousy the rest of the round.  All except for that one 5 iron!  Best of all, I was playing with the sports editor for the Asheville paper.  Since I was on the clock, I could sign for the drinks I bought afterward (luckly we weren't busy that day...).
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Greg Tallman on September 24, 2008, 02:29:52 PM
Best here was during a find raiser for the American Cancer Society... one of those how many holes can you play in one days deals. Sponsors sign up for whatever amount per hole, per birdie. and hole - in -one...

Well everyone checks off something for the HIO... or they used to as many were somewhat surprised when it came time to collect and had to pay off the Hole In One sponsorship.

Another nice moment was a casual round with the wife one evening and boom, in the hole... though that is less special these days if you know what I mean.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Jay Flemma on September 24, 2008, 02:43:03 PM
I not only saw Eddie Peck get the first hole-in-one ever recorded at Ballyneal, I snapped a pic!

Then I holed my bunker shot at the E-green (number 7)
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Sweeney on September 24, 2008, 03:01:11 PM
I spoke to another high school golf teammate today about said hole in one. My other buddy informed me that he has had a Tom Paulian 7 holes in one and one was for a car at a charity outing!

Where is the love????
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tim Leahy on September 24, 2008, 07:28:03 PM
My sole and only ace in 37 years of golf - which the envious or malicious or malcontents of the world say doesn't count since it occurred on a par three golf course - also occurred with my then 9 year old son, in a match against him, and allowed me to HALF the hole as he got two strokes and made one of the few pars of his young life.  It impressed the heck out of him.  I thought it was pretty special.
TH

Didn't we vote here to call any hole in one on a less than championship course a "Huckaby" ? :D
I got my one and only after 30 years of playing on New Years Eve at Angeles National #12 two years ago.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Ed Tilley on September 25, 2008, 03:32:50 AM
Sorry guys, but I had a hole in one on my first ever round of golf. I was 11. At least I had the decency to wait until the 9th hole though. 130 yards downhill - 5 iron, bounced over the front bunker and straight in.

My only other hole in one, in 25 years of trying, was on a 298 yard par 4 at Frilford Heath near Oxford. I borrowed my friend's driver as I was struggling with mine - only shot I ever hit with it.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: wsmorrison on September 25, 2008, 07:20:41 AM
Mike Sweeney,

Your buddy is going to have to get 10 more holes in one to match Old Man Paul's 17!  I am stuck on 0, but came close on the wee 13th yesterday.  Hope springs eternal.

I have 5 eagles on par 4s but those aren't nearly as satisfying as a hole in one.  I wonder why as I think they are harder to achieve.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Jim Tang on September 25, 2008, 09:14:40 AM
Myself, Jeff Tang and Jim Colton (all members here) had played golf together for 20+ years and had never had a hole in one.  Then, during a regular morning round at our daily fee course, with these guys as witness, I made a 1.  It was just magical.  I had won the "Race for the Ace".

Jeff and Jim were so happy for me, but secretly, I knew they were jealous as well.  Two months later, while on a golf trip with Jeff at Reynolds Plantation he made a 1.  Unfortunately, Jim Colton was not present to witness the event.  Jeff was so blown away he played the next hole with the ball before realizing it and then put it in his pocket.

Well, Jim Colton was now the lone man standing and he became OBSESSED with joining our exclusive club.  At every par three he launched his tee shot directly at the flag.  Hole loaction, wind speed, shot length, status of the match did not register for Jim in this situation.  One simple thought dominated his brain; make an ace, man, make an ace. 

The summer closed and Jim didn't have his 1.  He was despondent over the winter.  He became convinced that he would go to his grave without an ace.

However, the next summer, Jim finally got his ace at the same course I got mine (different hole) with Jeff as witness.  I wasn't there, but from what I've been told it was a screaming shot from 200 yards that bounced once on the green, solidly smacked the flag and found the bottom of the cup.  For the sake of our friendship, his professional career and probably his marriage, this was a good thing.

What is interesting is that between the three of us we had played thousands of rounds of golf over a 20 year period without anyone making a 1.  Then, within 15 months of each other, we all found a way to get it done.  It just goes to show you how actually seeing it done and a little competition can inspire you to achieve anything.

The "Race for Ace # 2" is currently being conducted.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Michael on September 25, 2008, 09:22:39 AM
My son at 15 playing with myself and his younger brother, stiffed a 4 Iron on a 165 par 3...took one huge hop... a bounce.... and "Plunk"..

 I had the ball and card mounted for him.

 I think I was more excited then he was....... ;D
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Carl Rogers on September 25, 2008, 09:49:27 AM
I have been lucky to have made 5 aces.  The last being on April 1, 2006 on the second hole at Riverfront.  This was special for me because in the fall of 2005, I was extremely lucky to win Golf Magazine's last Armchair Architect contest, (for me the equivalent of a hole in one) judged by Tom Doak and spent 3 days at the end of January 2006 with him & group at the Bay of Dreams in Baja Mexico.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tom Huckaby on September 25, 2008, 10:01:15 AM
My sole and only ace in 37 years of golf - which the envious or malicious or malcontents of the world say doesn't count since it occurred on a par three golf course - also occurred with my then 9 year old son, in a match against him, and allowed me to HALF the hole as he got two strokes and made one of the few pars of his young life.  It impressed the heck out of him.  I thought it was pretty special.
TH

Didn't we vote here to call any hole in one on a less than championship course a "Huckaby" ? :D
I got my one and only after 30 years of playing on New Years Eve at Angeles National #12 two years ago.

Read my post.  The only votes for such were from the envious, malicious or malcontents.

 ;)
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Bradley Anderson on September 25, 2008, 10:07:49 AM
When I had my one and only hole in one, I called my father on the cell phone and told him about it.

My dad was in the middle stages of alzheimers disease and almost to the point where he had lost his ability to comprehend a conversation. But he understood my hole in one. He asked me to discribe the shot. That was actually one of the last times he and I connected in a normal conversational way.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: archie_struthers on September 25, 2008, 10:26:02 AM
 :D ;) :D

Anyone ever make one at  #5 PINE VALLEY   or   # 16  CYPRESS

never saw one on #5 despite my many trips around the course

interestingly enough,  one morning  three holes in one made on #3  before 11 am  ....causing quite a stir   !!!


the pin was middle front left ...in a spot that just seemed to be the end of a funnel....

none were made in the afternoon.....as the pin was moved at lunchtime   !
 
   
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Jim Franklin on September 25, 2008, 11:48:24 AM
I had a kick in birdie at #16 CPC once. It was under a foot, just left. It tracked the flag all the way there. That would have been sweet.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Bob_Huntley on September 25, 2008, 12:20:00 PM


:D ;) :D

Anyone ever make one at  #5 PINE VALLEY   or   # 16  CYPRESS

never saw one on #5 despite my many trips around the course

interestingly enough,  one morning  three holes in one made on #3  before 11 am  ....causing quite a stir   !!!


the pin was middle front left ...in a spot that just seemed to be the end of a funnel....

none were made in the afternoon.....as the pin was moved at lunchtime   !
 
   


Archie,

Bing Crosby had an ace at Cypress. So did a couple of friends of mine, one Tom Taylor was the President of the club years ago and the celebrations lasted a week. Another,  Merrill Magowan, for whom I worked at Merrill Lynch thirty years ago, had one at about the same time I had an ace at the Dunes fourth hole. His was the sixth hole-in-one at CPC and mine was the same number at MPCC. He claimed boasting rights but I claimed mine was superor at 241 yards to his 219 yards. In retrospect I think he was right.

There have been 19 aces at the 16th at CPC to date, two of them by college girls, the first was Marie McKay a Scot attending Stanford and the second was Brooke Godwin, a left hander out of Vanderbilt. Both played the mens tees.


Bob




 

Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Scott_Burroughs on September 25, 2008, 01:56:11 PM
I am stuck on 0, but came close on the wee 13th yesterday.  Hope springs eternal.

I have 5 eagles on par 4s...

I'm right behind you, Wayne.  No aces and 4 eagles on par 4's, the last coming 2 years ago up in your neck of the woods.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Tom Yost on September 25, 2008, 02:04:11 PM
I have a funny story about a good friend's one and only hole-in-one.

He and another friend were playing the front nine at an executive course in a retirement community when the hole-in one was achieved.  At the turn, they rushed into the pro shop and announced the event, perhaps with visions of a name on a plaque or whatever.  The bored old guy behind the counter looked at them and gruffly asked:
"You keeping the cart for the back nine?"

That was very special indeed!

Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Bob_Huntley on September 25, 2008, 02:17:30 PM
I have a funny story about a good friend's one and only hole-in-one.

He and another friend were playing the front nine at an executive course in a retirement community when the hole-in one was achieved.  At the turn, they rushed into the pro shop and announced the event, perhaps with visions of a name on a plaque or whatever.  The bored old guy behind the counter looked at them and gruffly asked:
"You keeping the cart for the back nine?"

That was very special indeed!



Tom,

Now that's a " Perfect Squelch."

Bob
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Marty Bonnar on September 25, 2008, 03:11:03 PM

There have been 19 aces at the 16th at CPC to date, two of them by college girls, the first was Marie McKay a Scot attending Stanford and the second was Brooke Godwin, a left hander out of Vanderbilt. Both played the mens tees.

Bob


Much as I hate to correct such a fine gentleman as yourself Dear Bob, MHAIRI (pronounced 'Varry') did indeed make an ace on #16.

Somehow, amongst the multitude of wonderful plaques and pictures on the walls of the clubhouse, I happened upon hers quite quickly.

Who is the marvellously poetic member(?) who writes all those wonderful words of praise?

cheers,
MB.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Doug Siebert on September 29, 2008, 12:10:15 AM
When I first visited Scotland in 1991 I made my first ace ever on the 16th at Carnoustie.  I parred 17 and 18 and my caddy told me he'd been carrying for over 30 years and never seen or heard of anyone finishing 2 under on the last three holes.

In 2001 I was due for a return visit and a couple weeks before I left for Scotland I aced my home course's 13th for my second hole in one.  Guess I should have left for Scotland a bit earlier!  I had to settle for a birdie on 16 this time, and even par on the last three holes.

Dunno why everyone thinks Carnoustie is so damn hard.  Hell, I've never gone 2 under on the last three holes of my home course, and getting through them in level par is hard enough I probably manage it less than 1 out of every 10 times! ;)



Shivas - I'm not sure how I could explain how you could sink so many shots and fail to do so on par 3s.  Other than my two aces I've only sunk ONE shot over 100 yards, and it was a 5 iron for a freaking BIRDIE on a par 4 after I drove into the trees!  I've come awfully close to double eagles on par 5s about a half dozen times and even hit the stick with my drive on a par 4 once but I'm starting to think an albatross will elude me.  I guess we always want what we can't have...
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mark Smolens on November 04, 2008, 08:50:57 PM
Had to drag this topic back up.  Got a tx call from my 75 year old mother this afternoon.  She made her first ace this morning on the 18th hole at Mountain Shadows.   :o  The dreaded water hole which has claimed many a golf ball from her and her friends, gave one back today.  Her handicap may well be up to 27, but there are few people in the world I'd rather play golf with.  Congratulations Mom!
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Chris Black on November 04, 2008, 09:49:16 PM
How about an albatross?
How about an albatross on the fourth at Lahinch?  I holed my blind second on the fourth hole of the first day of our trip to Ireland in July.  Very special.
Read all about it here:  http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/K2Rbicf46MCPHQ-JU3BKLQ
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Doug Siebert on November 05, 2008, 02:33:41 AM
That's pretty cool Chris!

I must admit I'm shocked that you were told there had been only one other albatross on the Klondyke!

I would think there'd be at least a few since its short, plays with the wind, and the hard ground means the ball will spend a lot of time rolling.  Yeah, its a blind shot, but so long as most people aim in the general direction there will be enough cases where their lack of perfect aim is exactly cancelled out by their lack of perfect execution ;)
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Ari Techner on November 05, 2008, 03:25:01 AM
I had a hole in one at Pacific Dunes #14 with a 5 iron from 120y into a 40 mph wind during a tournament that I play with friends.  Also on the Dell #5 at Lahinch.  Both were pretty special. 
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mitch Hantman on November 05, 2008, 06:39:07 AM
Two years ago on the original: #15 North Berwick.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Chris Haspell on November 05, 2008, 07:31:46 AM
Stuart Mccolm the construction manager here at Castle Stuart had one on  the 11th during preview , we like to think it hit a sprinkler head , but the first on the course ,

And My first in the presence of my father in law who at the time had been playing 25 years and not had one , I hugged him that hard it nearly broke him in too, Having him there to witness it was better than the hole in one itself, not that we are competative you understand!


 Chris
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: TEPaul on November 05, 2008, 08:56:07 AM
For a very special hole in one, I'll take one I had in my club's big annual member/guest invitational tournament because when it went in it also won the match.

Figure that one out!   ::)

I have had what seems like an unusually large amount of holes in one but nevertheless somehow they seem to me to be semi-flukes because I frankly cannot remember hitting that many shots that just end up really close to the hole, not to even mention the fact they all came in spurts separated by some fairly long hiatuses.   ???  I guess there might be something to be said for that old adage that the "hole (or flag) gets in the way."
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Brad Tufts on November 05, 2008, 09:17:34 AM
I witnessed my dad making one for a car back in about 2001.  We had a non-golfer riding along for the round who doesn't know the game, and didn't think this was a strange occurrence until our reactions.  Too bad I lipped my 8-footer for birdie, as our group could have gone 1-2-3-4.

Before I had my first H-I-1 last year at Chechessee Creek (with GCA's Jeff Siskind!), I had notched a semi-hole-in-one at Jeffersonville (on the front, 140-yard hole).  I was in the middle of a conversation and pulled the wrong club from my bag (PW, I meant to grab 9) and hit short of the green.  Confused, I realized my goof, and promptly jarred the 9-iron I meant to hit.  A very nice (with a sociable ruling on my first ball) par of 3.

I've heard it's harder to hole one from the fairway, but I've done that 15+ times, so I think there is something just strange about the possibility of a 1 off the tee.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: archie_struthers on November 05, 2008, 09:31:35 AM
 8) ;) 8)


any hole in one made in our group at Greate Bay .....  we have a standing rule that if someone makes an ace ...everyone owes him /or her
a C-note ........and no one begrudges the maker  ...not real emotional or poignant ...but true capitalism at work...


Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Sweeney on February 26, 2009, 09:20:55 AM
My buddy had a Hole in One at Pine Valley #3 yesterday. I was not there  :'( but spoke to him on the phone and he sounded like an 8 year old who just hit his first walk off homer in Little League!

As tradition dictates, Pine Valley pulled the flag and I believe The Pro and his playing partners sign the flag and he gets to keep it. Not even members get flags at Pine Valley, unless they get a Hole in One.

I am sure it has been done here before, but any "special" holes in one out there?

I am currently 0 for 10,000+ holes.



The son of a gun had another one yesterday at Calusa Pines.

Sweeney remains 0 for 10,200+ holes and counting.  :'( Where is the fairness!
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: John Garrison on February 26, 2009, 04:19:04 PM
My dad was a pretty good player. He had six (6) aces and I was fortunate enough to witness two (2) of them.
Never have had one myself, but have had two(2) double-eagles, both on the same course but different holes.
The first was at age fifteen (15) with a driver and six-iron. Ah, if only I were able to hit that par five in two with a six-iron again. The second came many years later on the ninth hole. It was an "emergency nine" with all bets and presses riding when the one-iron went in.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: George Pazin on February 26, 2009, 04:40:27 PM
This is a thread where I really wish someone could get Ran to share. Many moons ago, I seem to recall him having several hole-in-ones at special places, Dornoch among them.

I also seem to recall Steve Lapper having a couple very impressive ones.

And, of course, Bob Huntley has at least one very special one, and an albatross, if memory serves.

Mine is at a little Mom and Popper called Hartman's Deep Valley in Zelienople, PA, but it's kinda special to me, and makes me probably something like 1 for 1000 par 3s in my life, if that. 183 yards of beauty.

Nobody ever said life was fair. :)

* forgot to mention one of my friends had his first at the Valley Club of Montecito, I think. Another has 2 at Mountain Ridge.
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Wagner on February 26, 2009, 06:00:55 PM
Two stories:

Made two double eagles in 3 months-  one was on a par 4 that had never been aced.  That one was playing on mother's day with my dad and two brothers - the perfect foursome.  Yes, we went back and had dinner with mom.

My dad who had never had one in 55 years of a 5 handicap - finally made one.  He then got to the end of the year "KP contest" with other members who made one during the year.  They were heckling the hell out of him for it being his first one - about 50 guys watching the contest....what did he do?  He knocked it in!!
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Doug Siebert on February 26, 2009, 10:16:39 PM
Mike Sweeney, I think you and Shivas are just proof of what George says - life isn't fair!

I figure over the 30 years or so since I first started playing I have averaged about 25-30 rounds a year, so that's 3000-3500 par 3s.  I've had 2 aces so that's not a bad percentage - probably better than TEPaul's percentage despite his 17 aces since he likely has played at least 10x more rounds in his life.

But as I pointed out to Shivas in this thread last year, in all those rounds I've only ever knocked one shot over 100 yards in from the fairway (and even that was only for a birdie....all my par 4 eagles have been putts, chips and flip wedges)

When I've only ever holed three shots from over 100 yards (all were over 180 actually) in my whole life, but 67% of them were holes in one you can only draw two conclusions:

1) I suck
2) I may suck, but I'm pretty good about choosing my moments ;)
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Sean Leary on February 27, 2009, 12:01:46 AM
Mike,

Which par 4 did you ace? Here in WA?
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Mike Wagner on February 27, 2009, 12:15:57 AM
Sean,

It was #10 at Sand Point.  It's weird that there's never been one there, but that's what they tell me.  The other double eagle was #18 at Inglewood.

Let's get out and play sometime!
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Pat Burke on February 27, 2009, 01:28:05 AM
My first was on a par four.  Playing with my sponsor at the time at Friendly Hills 5th.
Drove it over the trees and yelled  "GO IN!"  Sponsor politely told me to eff off and get in the cart.  You can't see anything from the tee.  When we drove up to the green, no ball in sight.  Grabbed my wedge and putter, set out to find my ball.  Looking around the bunkers in front and getting pretty pissed off about losing  my ball when my sponsor gave the courtesy look in the  hole.  Really thought he was just screwing with me, but there it was
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Patrick_Mucci on February 27, 2009, 08:59:16 AM
Mike Sweeney,

Are you sure you want to know ?

It will help to ruin your day.  ;D
Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: David Druzisky on February 27, 2009, 01:57:08 PM
I just had my first last month!  What made it special was I was playing with my dad.

Monday January 5th.  Brookside - Rose Bowl Pasadena.  Hole 13 - 186 yards.

My father has been assisting with managing and coordination of the improvements to the course that Harbottle has been doing there for several years.  We get to the 13th hole and after playing absolutely horrific off-season golf (as expected but still frustrated) I pure a 4 iron.  Approaching the tees he was describing the work they had done to the teeing area and was telling me it was one of the more difficult ones to do for various reasons including the big tree that had grown up in the middle left of the hole among other points.  He sounded like it wasn't his favorite areas of the effort.

As I said I pured a 4 iron - easily the best contact I made all day.  Slight fade into the heavy air.  Hits the front right portion of the green on the slope coming down off the right front bunker.  Rolls slightly left and back to the right middle pin and in.  Instantly erased his bad memories of the hole and gave us each a new one to share.

Oh yea, we went to the Rose Bowl too where unfortunately his Nitney Lions got whacked.

Title: Re: Very Special Hole in One's
Post by: Jonathan Cummings on February 27, 2009, 06:11:51 PM
A guy I use to play Pine Valley with - Merrill McGowan had a hole-in-one at CPC #16.  It was about 8-9 years ago.  Until then they had had only three aces at 16 since the founding of the club (Bing Crosby was one).  Merrill was the fourth.  Strangely enough there were two more aces on 16 right after Merrill's (including the first woman).  Last I was there - a couple of years ago - I think it still stood at 6 club aces at 16 - The Hunt man can correct me if there have been more.

I parred #16 the first time I played it years ago - which felt like an ace!  ;)

JC