The evening of Friday, the 18th of July,2025 turned out to be rather special for me.

It was on a sultry afternoon at Hadley Wood Golf Club, playing a matchplay competition with three of my friends,, when to my delight on hole 10, using a 5 Wood aiming directly for the flag about 130 yards away, my Titleist 6 hit the green and walked straight into the cup. I had just made a hole in one!

I have been told I should frame my ball as it is a fairly rare event for an amateur golfer, especially one with a high handicap! Most people apparently have about 24 years of golfing experience before they make an ACE and only 14% are female.

My friends jumped up and down in glee and as there was a society playing that afternoon, there were people clapping on the surrounding holes who observed the hole in one, even before I realised what had just happened. People in the clubhouse wondered what all the commotion was about.

It was also a particularly memorable golf round for me that day, as all my shots were landing well, making it the first time I officially shot below 100 with a score of 91. I followed up the hole in one with another par on hole 14 and a birdie on hole 15. The golf gods were certainly smiling down on me that day. The rest of that twilight round took on this surreal feeling.

When we walked back to the club house, I was greeted by clapping and congratulations from the busy terrace

My friends and my husband, also fellow golfer were clapping, waiting for me by the 18 th hole.

The mood was exuberant and jubilant and everyone was infected with what my friends and I had just experienced. We talked and laughed well into the late hours.

Buying a traditional round of drinks for club members and staff, having a drink with the Men’s Captain and signing the hole in one book ended a perfect round of golf for me that day. It was, I am told, a very special and exciting night for all of those involved.

My wish is for every golfer to experience a hole in one at least once in their lifetime.