honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

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."



Do you have a story to tell about your hole-in-one? Tell us about it. Stories must be typed and brief, around 50-100 words. The stories must include the date, course, hole, yardage and club. 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