I started golfing seriously in 1987 when I had more time to devote to the game. Prior to that, I was the type that played 3-4 rounds per year.

I am a disabled Veteran from the Vietnam Conflict. I was wounded three times and when younger, the pain was diminished by my enthusiasm. I now golf with severe pain in my neck as I have seven bone spurs that limit my swing. When first playing, I hit 3-4 shots that came within 6" of becoming a hole-in-one.

As the years passed, I accepted the fact that I would not receive a hole-in-one in my lifetime and was good with that. Just to be able to get on the golf course was good enough for me.

Today, 4/23/2012, I played the back nine with 7 straight bogeys. I stepped up to the 17th tee, hit my shot and it was laser like to the hole. The 17th is an 188 yard par three up-hill and difficult to get on the green. We saw that it was headed for the pin and I said, "it either hit the pin or went over the green," When we got to the green, I looked in back, could not see my ball and walked toward the hole. I have done this many times (wishful thinking) and looked into the hole. My Titleist was in the bottom. No celebration. Just glad that I had finally done it. I had five Eagles previously so this was anti-climatic for me. Texted my brother and within minutes I had 4 texts congratulating me for my efforts.