Treasure hunters, gamblers, yard salers or even individuals who have a healthy passion for a challenge, which may make for an exciting story, have a common denominator amongst them. They all are in quest of that rare event that defies the odds, yet on any given day, they may achieve that success which makes their effort and at times, frustration all worth it. There have been books written about the trials and tribulations of such people with some ending in success, while others are still looking for that elusive prize, the proverbial pot o' gold. Our imaginations feast on such things making it all the more addictive and unhealthy at times. I had such an experience this summer, so let me share the "hole" story.
It began several years ago, in May of of 2021 to be exact, my nephew was getting married in California, so the family decided to make an extended vacation out of it. We visited Yosemite and then made our way to Carmel. It was in Carmel that we planned to meet with others making the trip to CA. Because of work commitments, my daughter and her boyfriend, an avid golfer, would plan to join us and then make the trek down the Big Sur. However, before heading to San Luis Obispo, we had a couple days in Carmel to enjoy the sites.
On the first evening in Carmel, we gathered to celebrate our inaugural gathering following the onset of Covid. This is where I had the opportunity to meet my daughter's new boyfriend, and obviously a chance to be introduced before playing golf the next day. Of course, we were all relieved to see each other in person, rather than through the lens of telecommunication.
Knowing that my daughter's boyfriend was a golfer, I asked him a few leading questions to start our conversation. Eventually, I asked him if he'd ever had a hole in one, to which he responded, YES, three! Naturally, I was impressed by that alone, having never had one myself. However, he quickly shared that he had a good feeling about tomorrow's prospects for me, and we laughed and moved on to other topics.
After breakfast and an early morning hike along the Pacific Ocean, it was time to head off to the golf course, Pacific Grove Golf Links or the "Poor Man's Pebble Beach" to the locals. We had lunch at the course and only enough to time to hit a few chip shots and roll some putts, the "perfect" warm-up after a long winter with the clubs resting exactly where I left them in the fall before the trip.
On the first tee, a par 3, 146 yards, I stood feeling my daughter's piercing eyes, having seen me play only on a miniature golf course, and her boyfriend, my possible future, son-in-law watching intently. Pressure? Like you read about! I recall, just relax and don't dribble one off the front of the tee. When I connected with the ball, I remember, I think I flushed it. My daughter said, "Dad, that looked like a pretty good shot." I just agreed, and said it felt good. I then hit a second shot, a breakfast ball as they say, for good measure, which I saw go just long of the green. I was just happy not to embarass myself.
As we walked up to the green and only saw the one ball, that's when it occurred to me that I may have just hit my first hole in one, a rarity and mind you, predicted, with my daughter and her boyfriend as my witnesses. When I looked in the hole and saw the ball resting at the bottom, my emotions went into overdrive.....this moment couldn't have been scripted any better. Playing golf with my daughter and her boyfriend, the first hole, and near golf's "hallowed" ground, a virtual trifecta!
Of course, after hitting the hole in one which seemed so easy, I expected it to happen again soon. Wrong! The odds of hitting a hole in one for an amateur have been reported to be on the order of 12,500 to 1, and putting that into perspective, it was probably not likely to happen again anytime soon.
After our round and arriving back at the club house, I shared my story with one of the attendants. He indicated that I could request a certificate proclaiming this rare event, if I spoke to the gentlemen in the pro shop. So, I wandered over to the pro shop and indicated my purpose for being there, and the reaction was immediate, "So you're the guy who had the hole in one. We saw it go in!"
Getting a hole in one is one of those events that you hope happens, but the way it unfolds is hardly predictable or scriptable. Well, not always, as it played out in this case. It has made for a very memorable story and one I have readily shared.
Fast forward to July 4th, 2026, a beautiful day in which the country was celebrating its 250th anniversary of our independence, perfect for a few early morning holes of golf. Before heading off to yet another family wedding, I thought it would be nice to get in some exercise.
Playing golf has become a new passion, but when you do it fast, it's real exercise! In order to get in as many holes as possible, I tee off at first light, long before the course gets crowded, and consequently, I have been rewarded with many beautiful sunrises. The fourth of July was already special due to its significance and the family wedding, so the cosmic tumblers were in place. However, accurately predicting a hole in one is just about as rare as the occurrence itself, but my now son-in-law mentioned it before saying good night, the final blessing.
After an hour and a half, and the competition for freedom on a wide open course, I made my way to the par 3, 8th hole. A 155 yard hole over a grass filled depression, waiting to accept a number of wayward tee shots; but not today. After a quick survey of the conditions, I launched my 5 wood on the line of flight I visualized. When the ball landed on the green, I could see it tracking toward the hole. It came to rest in line with the flag stick, so I surmised that it was close. Seconds passed and I could still see it like a beacon signaling in the distance. Then suddenly, it was gone. The florescent yellow ball wasn't to be seen. What just happened? Had a turkey come through and picked it up? That's when I said to myself, "I think I just hit a hole in one." However, before briskly walking to the green to investigate the situation, I pulled out another ball and hit another tee shot, because this was perhaps my lucky day, so why not? That tee shot hit the green on the left but clearly wasn't on the same line.
When I arrived at the green I could see the track of the ball in the morning dew, right on line towards the hole and dead center on the flag stick, so when I looked into the cup, there it was staring at me light like the beacon it had been before it fell in. Excitement immediately came over me, as it would have for anyone, but no spectators. I took several quick pictures for documentation and then putted the other ball for fun, which dropped in for a birdie! Yikes, this was my lucky day...the 4th of July, 2026, my nieces wedding, and another ace as part of wedding activities.
So, here I am playing golf, mostly because of the walking and its cardiovascular benefits. However, having finally hit a hole in one and then another, I'm thinking that it's a regular event for those fortunate few who have luckily, experienced this The statistics, however, don't bear this out, and there are life long golfers who never achieve the thrill of an ace. So, what am to think?
I now look at golf in a different light, the cardiovascular benefits of walking fast, early morning or late day play to avoid the crowds or the damaging effects of the Sun. More importantly, however, it has provided me an opportunity to reflect on the beauty and solitude golf courses rarely exploit, and to me that's the "ace in the hole" I'd been searching for all these years!
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