Posted on: Thursday, June 9, 2005

HOLES IN ONE
Ace gave big Pistons fan something to cheer about

Advertiser Staff

Michael Zalopany

May 25, 2005

Hawai'i Kai Golf Course, par 3

Hole No. 7, 120 yards, sand wedge

If there's one thing that could keep Michael Zalopany from a round of golf, it would be a Detroit Pistons game on television.

Zalopany, a 48-year-old retirement planner from Hawai'i Kai, was watching the Pistons in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference championship against the Miami Heat on May 25 when his neighbor Mike Coviello asked him to play a round at the Hawai'i Kai Golf Course's par-3 layout.

"You know how you can't stand watching a team you like when they're losing," said Zalopany of his decision to take up Coviello's offer. Miami went on to defeat Detroit, 92-86.

While the Pistons weren't having much luck, Zalopany's day wasn't a total loss.

"At the seventh hole, a 120-yarder, I chose my sand wedge since the pin was up front," he said. "The ball launched high, hanging momentarily, then the wind guided it toward the pin.

"Mike yelled: 'It went in the hole!'

"After playing 38 years, I've seen many shots disappear only to reappear as I got closer. But my gut said: 'This is it!' "

It was Zalopany's first ace.

And now that the defending champion Pistons are in the Finals again, he said, "I got the best of both worlds. I'm all set."

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