I’ve been playing golf for the best part of 26 (long) years and I’ve never been fortunate enough to have even witnessed a hole-in-one, let alone have one myself.

Like many UK golfers right now, the weather has been horrendous and I’ve only managed a few rounds in 2024 due to my local course being closed. That led to my friend and I booking 18 holes as guests, at Stoneleigh Deer Park in Coventry. I had a steady round going (due to shoot around an 82/83) and tee’d up on the 17th hole, which is a par 3, uphill and into the wind playing about 184 yards. Took my trusty Titleist CB forged 6-iron and it literally never left the pin. Took one bounce and then we couldn’t see where it went. As I walked up to the green I could see the pitch park a foot from the hole and immediately assumed it skipped past the hole? To my utter shock, it was nestled in the hole! Couldn’t believe it!! A lot of people have told me that when you get your first ace it’s a feeling you’ll never forget and I didn’t believe I’d ever get a hole-in-one in my life. Absolutely over the moon!