Each week we write to Golf Canada members who record a hole-in-one, congratulating them and asking if they’d tell us how it happened. These are their stories (edited for length and clarity).
Have you recently accomplished the feat of a hole-in-one? Tell us about it! Share your story, picture / video and course information with us at holeinone@golfcanada.ca.
Kim Ta, Fraserview Golf Course, Hole #16
Perfect shot with great trajectory. Landed nicely in the of the green, bounced forward and tracked perfectly for the pin!
Ryan Lawrence, Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club, Hole #14
My first hole-in-one occurred on a beautiful evening on Monday, September 23rd at Tower Ranch Golf Club in Kelowna, B.C., on the signature 14th hole, par 3, playing 203 yards adjusted. The blue tees were paired with the tips that day and the flag was at the middle-back of the green. I used a 5 iron and hit a high-draw and it landed pin high on the green about 13 feet left of the hole and steadily rolled in for the ace. The feeling was pure bliss. My playing partners were Nathan Draper, Kendall Draper and James Behnke.
“I was in the group in front of him and just to let you know how difficult that shot was. Very strong wind into the face and a huge drop in elevation. Just to be on the green was an amazing shot.” – Facebook Comment from Ryan’s post for Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club
André Couet, Club de Golf Algonquin, Hole #2
Wow, this was my first-ever hole-in-one! It happened on a regular Tuesday skins day at our club while I was playing with my usual partners, Luc Laframboise, Steve Proulx and Dave Beresford.
We were on the second hole, a straight forward par 3 that measures 129 yards with a blue pin placement. The green is small and narrow, and I usually pull the ball left into the sand about 80% of the time. Interestingly, I witnessed my partner Steve make a hole-in-one on this same hole last year (on a red pin), and I do believe I was more excited than he was when it happened, and now having done it myself, I understand how this could be possible!
For some reason on that day, I approached the hole differently. Instead of hitting a full wedge, I choked up on a 9 iron and aimed straight at the pin. I struck the ball well, and we all watched as it flew toward the pin, bounced once, and rolled gently into the hole. I couldn’t believe my eyes and my heart skipped a few beats before I was able to catch my breath! My partners were jumping for joy, and to my surprise, the previous owner of the club, who live right by the hole, ran out in his robe, cheering and celebrating with us from his kitchen.
It was an unforgettable moment, and yes, I won a skin on that hole!
Arden Kidd, Musqueam Golf Course, Hole #17
It was a first for me after taking up the sport on retirement 22 years ago. Our club captain, Diane McNeely kindly put together a collage of the event.
On the day, it was quite a surprise to watch that yellow ball disappear over the rise in front of the 17th green, then reappear and roll right up the green and into the cup! From the blue tees it was about 135 yards and I used my trusty driver, a TaylorMade Burner.
I took up golf later in life after giving up skiing and later tennis and I find golf much easier on the body. For the first few years I took lessons and enjoyed learning about club choice and the satisfaction of achieving some success.
What I love about the game is being outdoors on the fairways with the good company of my ladies club members, and of course enjoying occasional success. I also enjoy being greeted by the friendly staff and volunteers of our club. I’d certainly recommend the game to anyone, to join a club and to get involved in its activities remains something to look forward to for many years. Though my scores reach new highs these days, I hope to keep golfing as long as I’m able.
Peter Bartus, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, Hole #4
I was playing with two of my good friends John Vander Hoeven and Eric Woodland on a beautiful afternoon when I got my hole-in-one. The fourth hole at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club was playing 196 yards from the back tees that day. I hit a great 6 iron off the tee and watched it land on the green. Thinking I’d have a putt for birdie I picked up my tee and put my club away. My friends were saying they couldn’t see the ball and thought it went in. I wasn’t as optimistic but sure enough when we got up to the green the ball was in the hole!
Howard Herman, Silver Creek Golf Course, Hole #8
I played a round with three young men (who each had a caddy, due to a lost bet). I had a fantastic round and a great day with the boys. Hole #8 on the North course is a par 3, playing 116 yards. I chose my pitching wedge and hit a clean shot at the flag. The ball landed about 14 inches from the hole and slowly rolled in. This hole is an elevated tee, over a pond, so I was able to see the ball drop. My first after nearly 60 years of playing.
Richard Grimes, The Oaks of St. George Golf Club, Hole #5
It was on the fifth hole from 127 yards. Oddly, it was one year to the day since my last hole-in-one. Witnessed by Dan Demurak, Bob Hillstrom and Ian Lim.
I was competing in the Tri-County league which includes Guelph Country Club, Stratford Country Club, Elmira Golf Club and The Oaks of St. George. I am told that the league, which continues to be active today, remains the oldest regular interclub golf contest in the Western hemisphere and has previously include Westmount Golf & Country Club and The Galt Country Club.
Ben Hendsbee, Brightwood Golf & Country Club, Hole #15
Visiting the Halifax area on vacation, I played Brightwood Golf and Country Club for the first time on with my brother-in-law, Andy Arsenault, who is a member. We played with two other members, Bill McBurney and Noel. It’s a nice old Donald Ross course in Dartmouth N.S. On the 15th hole I hit a 9 iron from 145 yards that drew toward the flag. I thought it would be inside 10 feet. We saw it land, then disappear. Not having played there before, I thought it might have caught a hidden slope and drifted away. The other three guys, all members, were adamant it went in. Sure enough when we got to the green it was in the hole.
Steven Kodama, Remington Parkview Golf and Country Club, Hole #7
I was playing on the first day of the two day Toronto-based Senior Japanese Men’s League tournament. My friends, Tony, Ron and John joined me. It was a perfect morning for golf; it was slightly cool with no wind. I used my Adams 8 iron for the 167 yard, par 3. After looking for my ball for a couple of minutes past the green, my playing partner Ron, discovered my ball in the cup to our surprise. This was my first hole-in-one in 45 years. I want to thank our club organizers, Bob, Harold, Tony and Dennis for their wonderful support and the staff and Remington Parkview Golf and Country Club for their hospitality.
Canaan Marche, Lake St. George, West Course, Hole #2
First hole-in-one! Playing the second hole at Lake St. George West, hit a gap wedge that rode the cross wind perfectly back in front of the pin, took one big bounce then trickled in the front of the cup. Got to watch the whole thing from the tee block with a good friend and our wives.