It has been over 12 months since Paul Clifton topped his driver all the way into the hole on the 5th over the Labour Day weekend in 2022, so it was past due that the feat was to be achieved again.

On a drizzly, blustery Easter Saturday Will Ross and his crew (Jason Thompson and Michael Calleri) teed off early, eschewing the traditional viewing of Masters 2nd round and hoping to beat the forecast rain.

The round was progressing smoothly, a few pars, a few bogeys – until the 7th hole where Will blocked his tee shot right, and as many before, saw his round lost in the woods like Hansel and Gretel because the ravens had eaten the bread crumb trail. Just like that a scratched hole threatened to derail a promising start. 

The pin on the 8th hole was set in a dangerous position, it would be foolish to ‘go at the flag’ as it brings the water and the overhead tree into play. 

Will approached the tee thinking to play to the heart of the green and get his round back on track.

With 155m to the pin, and a gusty breeze blowing off the right toward the water, Will took out his 5 iron and set up. 

A skinny toe, that bounced before the bunker, skipped over and up onto the green, rolled to the left and disappeared.

Hole in one! 

The stats give a one in 12, 500 chance of scoring one, and as they say – there are no pictures on the scorecard.

Congratulations Will. A rare achievement.

 

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