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.