I couldn't have asked for a hole in one on a better day. Our regular Match, hi-lo, December 12, 2012 and we got a gorgeous sunny day. I birdied the 1st hole to go up 2 points with my partner, Scot. After halving 2 and 3, we then lost 2 points each on 4, 5 and 6 to go 4 down. We scratched out a point on #7 and came to the 8th tee with the honor, down 3.

The 8th hole at Mercer Oaks West plays to my natural iron shot, a right to left fade for a lefty. Playing 136 yards to the flag and protected on the left by 3 large bunkers, I pulled my 8-iron out of the bag, teed up my "Titleist 8" and set up to fade the ball into the wind and make it spin towards the hole.

Making the smoothest swing I can remember, the ball made that sweet click and took off exactly on my line with the precise flight path I had envisioned. My first thought was "that can go in" and Scot immediately said "nice shot." It carried perfectly towards the green, took a hop directly towards the flag and disappeared. Jack screamed out "Wow, real nice shot!" From the tee, we couldn't tell whether the ball went in because the flag was tucked close behind the bunker, but we knew it was real close. Deano gave the line of the year, saying "It's either in the hole, or on the grass," which made us all laugh.

After Scot, Jack, and Dean hit we drove up to the green and we could see it was super tight, but since we could see the ball, I assumed it was going to be a tap in birdie. After getting out of the cart however, we discovered it was wedged between the flag and the inside of the hole. I got a hug from Jack and high fives from the rest of the guys. We took 6 points on the hole (two greenies, one for the birdie, one for the eagle, one for low ball, and Scottie won high ball) took a 3 point lead and never looked back on the match.

After we went up 7 on 13, they pressed and took 3 points on 14 with Jack's birdie, but we chipped away a point on 15, 16, and 17 and then took 18 to win the press, 1-up.

So I got my first ever hole in one on 12/12/12 on the 8th hole with a Titleist 8. (I only play Pro V1's with the high numbers 5-6-7-8) And we won $40. What a day, one I will remember forever. Hitting a hole in one with my regular foursome, in a meaningful match. Doesn't get better than that!