HOLES IN ONE
With match on line, he saved best for last

MIKE DiCARLO
Oahu Country Club
Hole No. 11, 163 yards, 5-iron

This story is about my friend, Mike DiCarlo, who passed away several years ago from cancer.

Mike, John (Parkes) and I were playing Oahu Country Club in the late afternoon with time for 11 holes of golf in the mid-1990s. We had a very tight match with everything riding on the last hole, including skins, carry over greenies and the match.

The 11th hole at Oahu is a 163-yard downhill par-3.

I hit first — a beautiful 7-iron that was right on the flag, hit about four feet short and ended up two feet to the right of the hole. A big grin appeared on my face as I looked to be a sure winner.

John hits next with a 6-iron and hits an even better shot that actually lips out and ends up six inches behind the hole. John now has the big grin.

Mike hits last, a 5-iron, a screaming slice that starts out to the left, hits very hard short of the bunker, jumps over the bunker and slams into the flag and drops for the ace.

Mike's grin took the cake and the money, too.

A lucky slice is better than two near-perfect shots any day.

Gary G. Osterman, who submitted this story, has five holes in one in 35 years of golfing. Mike DiCarlo, who was a leader in Hawai'i's advertising community, died Nov. 12, 1997. He was 53.

Tell us about your experience shooting a hole in one.

Stories must be typed and brief, around 50-100 words. They must include the date, course, hole, yardage and club selection. Return phone numbers must be listed. Holes in one must have been reported to The Advertiser by the golf courses.

Fax submissions to 525-5491, or e-mail to: sports@HonoluluAdvertiser.com.