July 17, 2022 will always be a day to remember as I made a hole in one at my local muny, Capital Hills at Albany, considered to be one of the most challenging golf courses in the New York Capital Region.

I was playing in a league game with two other players. The day was very hot in the 90s with nary a breeze. With hardened fairways and slick fast greens, balls roll past the target. Picking the right club was a challenge.

We came to the 13th. One of the highest points of the property where the view from the tee is very nice. But this downhill par 3, 162 yards, with hilly slopes in the front and a bunker on the back could sometimes be very deceiving especially when wind becomes a factor.

My playing partners hit their shot and having seen where their ball landed, I doubted which club to use. Out of nowhere there was a slight breeze against us so I opted to use a 5 iron - half swing, low ball flight with the intention of landing it short and allow the front slopes to give it a bounce and release. I hit the ball as I had planned, tracked the line but I could not see where it landed. When we reached the green, we were only able to find my partners balls. I looked around the front rough edge, the hilly side, the back bunker and it was nowhere to be found. That’s when I thought maybe it’s in the hole. So I walked in and there I saw my Titleist ProV1x settled at the bottom of the right side of the hole. I informed my partners that I found my ball. They were just as surprised as I was. In the words of one of my playing partners, “Thank you for letting us be a part of this very rare experience.”

I will always cherish and remember this day for the rest of my life.