The night before my hole in one, I had actually been on the fence about playing golf the next morning. It wasn't until I checked my club's online tee sheet and saw that two good friends of mine (a husband and wife couple) were playing, so that's when I made up my mind to go out the next day. I had an 8:56 tee time, and showed up at 8:50, a bit rushed, but got off to a decent first six holes. Hole number seven at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, KS is our "signature hole;" a gorgeous par three with a water hazard coursing along the entire right side. Playing from the tips, the distance measured 168 yards to the pin. Wind wasn't a factor, so I chose my seven iron in routine fashion. I teed up a Titleist DT SoLo (#3), swung easy, and watched an unusually straight iron shot (I usually play with a draw) soar into the air aimed directly towards the pin. Immediately both members of my group commented that I had hit a "great ball," but because of the pin placement and green topography we couldn't tell where the ball actually impacted the green or ended up. In all honesty, I was just happy that it appeared that I would be on the green, and that I might have a birdie put for a change! My friend Martha led our threesome off the teebox, across a bridge, and towards the green. She was therefore the first to have a good look at the entire green, and commented that she didn't see my ball. (The other members had both missed the green). She was also the first to spot and comment on a ball mark 3' directly in front of and in-line with the cup. I then heard Martha's husband Randy say, "I think that was a REALLY good shot!" At this point I began to do the math that this was possibly an ace, but still wasn't convinced. My eyes feverishly scanned the back of the green and adjacent bunkers for for a ball, but found none. At this point the excitement really began to grow, as did a full-on set of goosebumps! With my heart pounding, I approached the cup slowly from the side left, cautiously peered in, and sure enough, saw a ball sitting peacefully in the bottom of the cup! Still not convinced, given the chance this was an errant range ball (from the nearby practice area), I pulled it out, inspected it, and indeed confirmed that it belonged to me. My first ace had become a reality at the age of 33! Mutual goosebumps and cheers were shared by the rest of my group for several minutes. Nearby groups waved and smiled applaudingly. The combination of adrenaline and the fact I still was wearing my glove on my left hand made texting nearly impossible, but after several tries I was able to produce "Just aced 7!" and sent it out to family members and golfing buddies. My brother Greg was the first to respond with "monumental," and indeed it was a special moment that I will never forget.