On Labor Day, 9/1/14, Mary Corrigan, my partner in the upcoming O'Neil Tournament, and I decided to play a practice round to get used to the kind of distances we might be faced with in the alternate shot format event at Woodstock Golf Club in VT.

On the 5th hole, a narrow par three with a steep bank on the left and water on the front and right, the hole location was in the back left, playing about 150 yards.

I hit what I thought was going to be a good shot right at the flag, but unfortunately it hit the bank a couple of feet up and gently bounced towards the flagstick.

As it was very hot, humid and hazy, I did not see the final result, but will admit to having a hunch about where it ended up.

However, having played golf since the early 70's, which, by my estimation, has afforded me not fewer than 5000 hole in one opportunities, none successful, I did not want to set myself up for possible disappointment, by even suggesting the remote possibility that this attempt might have actually found the bottom of the cup.

Upon walking up to the green, we only saw one ball. Still I kept quiet. As we walked toward the hole I made sure that we walked up to it together, and there was my ball, the Pro V1 supplied in the attached photo, which I calmly removed from the hole! Ho Hum.

Fortunately I had the presence of mind to record the event with the camera in my phone, video attached.

Perseverance and Pro V1 payed off.

Chris Sluicer