Such a beautiful day 4 days into winter. 70 degrees and sunny. Me and my buddy Mikko had to play on Christmas Eve because he said that would never happen back in Finland where he is from. So we booked our local course, Fort Walton Beach, Oaks. I am no pro by any means and play for fun while wanting to break 90 someday. I had 2 pars on the front 9 so I was hitting the irons well (for me that is good). As we approached the end of the round, I carded an 8 on the par 4 16. It happens a few times a round, so I wasn't cursing. Mikko and I wager a buck on the par 3's for closest to the hole, and on 17, he had the honor. He powered his shot high over the obtrusive Live Oak on the left of the fairway. His ball didn't fade this time, and he ended up just past pin high in the 2nd cut off the green. My turn. It was 115 to the center, and the flag was centerish and a few places left. I hit my 9 iron well a few times already, so I pick it and get set to swing smooth and easy. It worked this time too! The ball streaked to the sky and went straight towards the center of the green. Then my baby draw kicked in and time froze. I watched as the ball tracked in slow motion toward the flag. It landed, bounced once, and went straight in the hole! I threw my arms up, ran around in a Happy Gilmore circle and some emphatic high fives from Mikko! It was my very first Ace, hopefully not my last!!