honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, June 15, 2006

GOLF REPORT
Retiree has recorded six aces in his career

 •  Kono's path bringing results

Ronald Koji Kimura, of 'Aiea, got his first hole-in-one in 1981 at Pearl Country Club, and his last in 2001 at 'Ewa Villages.

Dell Manini photo

spacer spacer
2006 Hawai'i golf calendar
See a listing of all Hawai'i golf events this year.

Golf Tips logoGolf tips
Here are some tips to keep your game in tip-top shape!

Golf Guide logoAdvertiser golf guide
Here is a look at all of the golf courses in the state, with contact numbers, yardage and green fees.
spacer spacer

Editor's note: With Father's Day on Sunday, we thought it would be appropriate to share this story submitted by reader Dell Manini.

My dad, Ronald Koji Kimura, age 71, has had what most people would like just once in their lifetime, a hole-in-one.

In fact, he has been blessed with six holes-in-one.

He is a humble man at times. He wouldn't tell anyone unless they asked. That's why I'm doing the bragging for him. As the eldest child, I've caddied for him in golf tournaments and watched in amazement how smooth a swing he has, so effortless.

He doesn't kill the ball and he doesn't take that many practice swings, he just goes up and hits it!

When he won a car on his third hole-in-one, he told me that it was mine.

I said, "But dad you have five children, it's not fair to the rest of them."

He replied, "OK, then I will give it to my brother (my uncle)."

Immediately, I blurted out, "OK, I'll take it!"

I had two plaques made for him showing all six holes-in-one. Here is the breakdown:

  • Jan. 11, 1981, Pearl Country Club, No. 6, 187 yards;

  • Nov. 7, 1987, Barbers Point, No. 14, 130 yards;

  • June 16, 1988, Makaha West, No. 10, 156 yards (won a new Nissan Sentra);

  • Jan. 9, 1994, Mililani Golf Club, No. 12, 153 yards;

  • Nov. 14, 1995, Kalakaua Golf Course, No. 11, 169 yards;

  • Feb. 9, 2001, 'Ewa Villages Golf Course, No. 7, 138 yards.

    Between his first and second holes-in-one is a six-year stretch, followed by one a year later then another six-year span, followed by one and then six.

    In 2002, I told him according to this pattern you should be getting a hole-in-one this year. It didn't happen but if it did, I would have gladly had another plaque made.

    When asked how he managed to get six holes-in-ones, he says, "It's mostly dog luck with a little skill."

    Go figure, he was born in the Year of the Dog.

    — Dell Manini

    Ronald Kimura, of 'Aiea, is a retired owner of a moving and storage company who golfs once or twice a week. He took up golf in 1961.

    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.

    • • •