HOLES IN ONE
No. 13 turns out to be lucky number

WESLEY F. FONG

• Oct. 2
• New 'Ewa Beach
• Hole No. 13, 166 yards, 5 wood

"Be the right club, be the right club."

Those were the words I heard from my teammate after I hit my ball toward the 13th green at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce Benefit Golf Tournament.

The ball hit the green and I heard, "be the one, be the one."

It was "the one."

The ball went into the hole. "You got a hole in one," someone yelled.

I didn't respond. I was in shock. It was my first hole in one after playing golf for 50 years, and all I had been trying to do was reach the green.

Prior to the tournament at the New 'Ewa Beach Golf Club, I purchased my mulligans, putting contest tickets and tickets reaching the green in regulation.

Before the 13th hole, I had completely missed the greens on the prior two par-3 holes. I just wanted to reach a green so I could drop my ticket into the bucket for a lucky number draw.

After I made my hole in one, I felt confident on the last par 3, so I aimed for the hole and swung boldly — just like I did on the 13th hole.

I missed the green again. Oh well, I figured, a hole in one after 50 years of playing golf isn't too bad.

Later, someone asked me what was my secret in making a hole in one.

I replied: "Don't be greedy, just aim for the green and if you are lucky, maybe your ball will roll into the hole."

By the way, my ticket for reaching the green on No. 13 wasn't picked when the drawing was held.

Wanted: Aces with story to tell

Was it a perfect shot? Was it blind luck? Did you judge the wind? Did you just hack away?

Tell us about your experience shooting a hole in one.

Fax or e-mail your hole-in-one experience and you could be featured in The Advertiser's Golf Report.

Stories must be typed and brief, around 50 to 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.