Watching the Open from Royal Birkdale reminded me of a time I played there 20 years ago with a group of fellow club members from Cincinnati. On the 7th hole, my friend Jake Ruppert, a mid handicapper, made his first ever hole-in-one which was celebrated boisterously by all present.
As we walked off the 18th green towards the clubhouse, four members who were playing just ahead of us were seated on the small terrace sipping after round beverages. When we approached them, one of the members asked. “I say, would one of your chaps have made a hole-in-one back on the 7th?’
“Yes,” I answered. “My man Jake!”
“Good to hear”, replied the member. “The reaction would have been rather excessive for a mere birdie. And, Jake, we’re drinking gin and tonics.”
Oh, the English and their sense of place.
In the two decades since those celebratory G&T’s on the Birkdale terrace, our Members of the Forces have gone on to record many more aces…
There was Nick Papadakes, PGA of Onwentsia Club, who aced the famous 4th hole at Castle Stuart as part of the first foursome of their 2012 season. It was a fine start to Castle Stuart’s year, as well as Nick’s first ace since he was a lad of just 14 years old.
One of my favorite hole-in-one stories came courtesy of Paul Ellerbeck of Dubuque Golf & Country Club. Paul not only had the good fortune of recording his first ace at Ballybunion – something he and I have in common – but a back-up on the 15th tee allowed a buddy in the group behind to capture the memorable moment.
Particularly impressive was the ace recorded by Harold Damuth of Red Hill Country Club on the 4th at Cruden Bay. Not only is this one of Scotland’s great par-3s, but depending on the wind, I’ve found driver may not be enough club.
Finally, I must salute Carol Larson of Treesdale Golf & Country Club. Carol made her first career hole-in-one on the 6th at The Renaissance Club, as well as the first of the 2017 H&B travel season. Major Haversham salutes you, Carol!
Jake’s triumph at Royal Birkdale all of those years ago was one of the first hole-in-ones recorded on an H&B Expedition. And while many have followed him in memorable fashion, it is my sincere hope that their celebrations, as well as the ones to come, were just as lively as his.
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