An Unexpected Triumph: My First Hole in One and Golf Journey

It’s been quite some time since my last update, but an unbelievable event has led me to share my recent experiences on the golf course. Earlier this season, I achieved the significant milestone of breaking 100 for the first time, recording scores of 95 and 92. After that exhilarating start, I was left with high expectations for the rest of the golfing year, but I certainly didn’t anticipate what lay ahead.

As many golfers know, it’s not uncommon to experience a drop in performance following a personal best. I certainly felt this slump, but amidst the ups and downs of my game, a surprising highlight occurred: I made my very first hole in one.

It might be hard to believe, but the witnesses present were my wife and a close friend who had traveled from Calgary to spend some quality time golfing with us. The remarkable moment unfolded during our first round at Purcell, where we set out to play the front nine.

I began the round feeling quite frustrated, having made a three-putt bogey on the second hole. But then we arrived at the third hole, which measured approximately 165 yards from the blue tees with the pin located at the front of the green, according to my Garmin.

With my trusty eight iron in hand, I decided to attempt a high draw shot and executed it with exceptional precision. As the ball soared through the air, I couldn’t resist shouting, “Be the numberrrr,” recalling a humorous video my friend had shown me featuring Bubba Watson playfully mocking Patrick Reed during a tournament back in 2015.

As I watched the ball’s trajectory, I felt a surge of excitement when it struck the front right edge of the green and began rolling towards the pin. The anticipation grew as it neared the hole, and in an instant, it disappeared into the cup. I dropped my club like a baseball player celebrating a home run and sprinted towards the green in sheer disbelief.

My friend could hardly contain his surprise: “What is going on? I’ve just gotten here!” The first person I reached out to share the thrilling news with was my dad. I texted him excitedly, explaining, “You won’t believe what just happened!” He, having turned 70 this year and played golf for most of his life without ever achieving an ace, was overjoyed to hear about my accomplishment.

Next on my list was my coach, Simon Jones. I was thrilled to inform him of my ace, and it turned out that he had another student who also achieved a hole in one within the same week. The days following this incredible moment felt similar to celebrating a birthday, with an outpouring of congratulatory messages flooding in—some even mixed with playful curses from my fellow golfers.

However, the celebration was short-lived, as I was quickly reminded of the unpredictable nature of golf. On the very next par three, I hit a solid six iron, only for it to ricochet off a tree, sending my shot down into the fairway. After that, a wayward 40-yard pitch led to a frustrating sequence of events, culminating in an unsightly eight on the hole. That meant I was now three over par through just two par threes, with one ace to brag about.

The following day, we awoke early to tackle Trickle Creek, teeing off at a brisk 7:15 a.m.—potentially the earliest I’ve ever played golf. While I didn’t play to my fullest potential, my friend remarked on the positive changes in my game since our last outing two years ago. I was grateful to hear his encouragement, as I had been diligently taking lessons and putting in practice time.

Despite my improved play, I encountered a setback, finishing with a 10 on the 18th hole and carding a score of 100 exactly. The next day at St. Eugene, I nearly managed to break the 100-mark again, lipping out a par putt on the par five 18th to once again finish with a score of 100. I couldn’t help but think that if I hadn’t previously broken the 100 barrier, these two challenging holes would have crushed my spirits.

In the subsequent weeks, my golf performance has been less impressive, but the progress I made remains evident. I feel as though I’m moving closer to consistent play, a common struggle for many amateur golfers. Often, just a couple of bad holes can derail an otherwise solid round.

What remains crucial for me is the enjoyment I derive from the game. When I’m having fun on the course, my performance tends to get better as well. Just this past Sunday at Trickle Creek—where I celebrated breaking 100 earlier this year—I managed to shoot another score in the 90s, ending with a 95. Additionally, I’ve had a few close attempts on par threes, my heart racing as I watched balls land just feet from the hole. While these moments didn’t result in any additional aces, they were exhilarating nonetheless.

Regardless of whether the hole in one at Purcell remains my only one, the joy and exhilaration of that moment will always stick with me. I wonder what the odds are of an amateur golfer scoring a hole in one shortly after breaking 100 for the first time, a rare occurrence that adds to the wonder and unpredictability of this great game.