For President's Day 2022 I decided to put together a big group of people to play a round at an executive course near us. It's an 18-hole Par 58, so I figured everyone would have some fun. We ended up with two groups of five, I went with the second group, but as it was a holiday, pace of play was a little slow, so we got to hang out on the tee boxes together for the majority of the day. As we make the turn, we came upon another par 3, straight shot, 145 yards to the green from the blue tees. We watch as the five in front of us all tee off, many hitting near or on the green. As they depart, my group of five starts talking about making a hole in one. This was not the first par 3 that we had played this day, so it was kind of odd that the hole in one conversation started at this point, but we were all out to have a good time, so I thought nothing of it. As I watch the other four tee off, one rolling his ball within inches of the hole, I decided to club down from my 9i to my PW because the wind was at our back, and I felt that the 9i would be well over the green. As I teed up my shot, I took one last peek at the green, just trying to get the ball on the dance floor, not even considering the pin placement. I strike the ball, and it's pure, but it’s going left, right towards the hill and gravel that is only a few yards off the left side. I think I said, "well it's the right distance anyways," not wanting to show my disappointment of it not hitting the green. In an instant, the ball careened off the left side, taking a hard right, and started rolling on the green, tracking right at the hole. As the ball disappeared, the world got silent for me in my stunned state. I start jumping up and down, the group ahead turned to see what the commotion was. The four guys playing with me started hugging and jumping with me, yelling and celebrating, all just ecstatic to have seen and been a part of the moment. As I drove the cart up to the green, I was able to take my cap off to the group of five in front of me, one of which was my father, who taught me how to play this game over 30 years ago.

Some days I can't stand this game, but this was a day to remember, and will forever be my reason to continue playing.