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.
Gary Smith, Peninsula Lakes Golf Inc. (Quarry/Hillside), Hole #14
It was my second hole-in-one, so feeling special.
Rick Fesciuc, Royal Regina Golf Club, Hole #17
It was my first hole-in-one after 45 years of golf. I played with Larry Wagman and Ben Ryan. Hole #17 at the Royal Regina play at 144 yards from the silver tees and I used a 7 iron. So unexpected after playing quite poorly all day but one shot can make your round enjoyable.
Brian Damianidis, Summit Golf & Country Club, Hole #15
16 of us played in the “Black and Green” tournament that day. We played from the back in the morning and the front in the afternoon. This was my first hole-in-one. My wife, son and daughter all play golf and my daughter had her first hole-in-one at Summit Golf & Country Club a few years ago. Mine was a nice draw with an 8 iron to 150 yards. What’s even more amazing is another member of the tournament, Nick, was playing in the group ahead of us and got his first hole-in-one 15 minutes later on hole #17.
Charles Fitt, Salmon Arm Golf Club, Hole #5
It was a fun day! I was golfing with Gord Bell and hadn’t been out much. I was three over after three holes and my ball striking was awful, so I put away the Pro V’s and pulled out a Kirkland. I parred the difficult hole #4 and felt a little better. I ranged the pin on hole #5 at 147 yards. With the wind I decided a pitching wedge was the club of choice. I hit a perfect little draw that started at the middle of the green and moved towards the pin on the left. The ball landed about 10 inches long and spun back perfectly centre cup. I was actually in disbelief as I’d never had a hole-in-one previously. I hoped my eyes hadn’t deceived me, but sure enough there was the ball in the hole.
Cindy Gibson, The Hamptons Golf Club, Hole #12
It was very exciting! My golf partner was Jo-Ann Kolodychuk. It was 100 yards and I used my 8 iron.
Kevin Fitzgerald, Heron Point Golf Links, Hole #11
Hole was 144 yards and I used a 7 iron. Played with Graham Abell, Steve Gendron and Gary James.
Catherine Dorman, Cobble Beach Golf Links, Hole #14
I was playing with Tim and Diane Packer, who are members and Mike Harris, CPGA member. Hole #14 was 117 yards and I used a 5 rescue.
Alana MacLeod, Digby Pines Golf Resort and Spa, Hole #2
I was playing with my fiend Shearon, just the two of us. It was a beautiful Fall day. Hole #2 is 83 yards from the red tees over water to the green. I used my 9 iron and it was a nice high ball flight. The ball landed next to the hole and immediately disappeared. I made the mistake of not taking the ball out of play immediately and lost it in the woods on the fourth hole. When I played the next day, I found the sacred ball. It’s ready for a display case now. What a joyful exciting experience. I have golfed for 25 years and this is my first hole-in-one.
David Raymer, Ballantrae Golf Club, Hole #4
I was playing with my regular Ballantrae group which includes Wayne Jackson, John Tardella and Bill Grove. Hole was 130 yards and used a pitching wedge. Also it was exactly four weeks after Wayne Jackson got a hole-in-one on hole #17 at Ballantrae Golf Club. It was his first hole-in-one. He waited until he was 74. We witnessed both together.
Geoffrey Osborne, Muskoka Lakes Golf & Country Club, Hole #9
I was playing with my father-in-law, Rob McConnell and his friends. Unfortunately, I was having a particularly challenging round. I can’t recall hitting a fairway leading up to hole #9 that morning. I decided to hit a low “fairway finder” half-swing with my trusty 4 iron. Somehow, it went in! It was a very special moment for both Rob and I, as he has also had a hole-in-one on the same hole. It was a very cool experience to share together. Rob and I were on opposing teams that morning, despite that, I remember him yelling, “go in for him” just before the ball sank into the cup. It was probably my only useful contribution to my partner Rob McClelland all day. But we had a lot of fun! It was a 190 yard, par 3.
Carl Culloty, Shelburne Golf & Country Club, Hole #9
My first ever hole-in-one. I was playing a weekly nine holes with my wife and kids. Amazing to have them there for such a cool moment and experience.
Hole #9, 130 yards to the pin, I hit a pitching wedge, two hops and it went in. None of us actually saw it going in because we were looking into the sun but there were people on the clubhouse balcony and they were jumping up and down.