I’ve been a casual player for many years but decided to get more serious about golf late last season. I overhauled my golf bag from top to bottom and decided to be consistent with the golf ball I used (Pro V1). I went for a few lessons, practiced like crazy on the range and went out to play as much as I could this season. It was approximately my 40th round this season when I got my first ever hole in one. Honestly, getting a hole in one never really crossed my mind. Breaking 80 was actually the goal for me that day/this season. As luck would have it, I would get my HIO before break 80. It was on the 6th hole, Par 3 at Spring Lake Golf Club in Middle Island, NY. Rangefinder said 118 yards to the pin so I grabbed my 56 degree Edel SMS wedge which is usually my 110 yard club. It was sunny and winds were calm. I aimed straight at the flag and told myself “just make good contact with the ball.” And boy did I do what I told myself to do. I hit one of the most pure wedge shots I had ever hit in my life. It felt so great in the hands as the ball left the club face and it soared into the air going straight for the pin. I saw it bounce once on the green, roll a few times and disappear. The angle of the green from the tee box made it hard to see if it went in the hole so my buddy and I raced in our golf car to the hole to confirm it indeed went in the cup. We were so ecstatic to see the ball sitting in the cup (my buddy also had never had or witnessed a HIO). It is a day we will never forget!