Memorable first hole-in-one

Advertiser Staff

A newly found ball and no practice shots proved to be the right formula for Scott J. Westcott's first ace.

Scott J. Westcott
Sept. 5, 2001
Hickam Par-3
Hole No. 1, 142 yards, 7-iron

I have been stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawai'i for the past 6 1/2 years. I took up golf in Tucson, Ariz., in 1995, and moved to Hawai'i later that year. I play golf at least once a week.

It was another typical Wednesday night of golf at the Hickam Par 3 with my friends. As normal, I showed up and didn't practice any shots.

I grabbed a new Wilson titanium ball I had found the week before at Mamala Bay Golf Course on Hickam, and pulled a 7-iron for the first hole.

I was the first to tee off in my foursome that night. I took a few practice swings and hit what I thought was dead on the pin. I saw the shot hit the green exactly in line with the pin. It appeared to me that it either went in or continued past the pin. I figured the latter.

Either way, I knew it disappeared. DeDe Bailey, one of my playing partners, immediately said, "Scott that just went in the hole, you got a hole-in-one!"

I said, "Are you sure?"

She said she was.

We were the only ones who saw it. I was slightly excited, but more than anything wanted the rest of the group to hit so I could race down and see for myself if the ball was in the hole.

I at last got to the green and the ball was in the hole.

I was quite excited and didn't know how to act for the last eight holes. I continued to use the same ball on the next hole, and when DeDe realized this, she said, "Put it away before you lose it."

At the end of the round I had her and the rest of my foursome sign the card I knew I would keep for life.

Inside the pro shop, they gave me a trophy that has a place for the ball.

My wife got the trophy engraved recently as a birthday present.

What a thrill. Like any other golfer, I am looking intently for the next ace.