The day after we buried my father in law at the Miramar military cemetery I played a round of golf with my best friend DJ to clear my mind. I had been hitting the ball surprisingly well considering I didn't have my own clubs. I was traveling on late notice for the funeral and so I was using DJ's clubs from the 1970's, these things are ancient with massive heads.

As we get to hole 13 I look down the valley to a pin tucked back right, with only about 5 feet of green to the right. I say to DJ "this is a hole in one right here." Pull out his 8 iron, and say "this is the club". I pick up a short tee off the tee box, tee it up, take a few practice swings and line up my shot.

I hit a high drawing ball, tracking toward the pin just to the right.. It lands on the first cut, kicks directly to the left and starts tracking toward the hole. Boom it hit the pin and disappeared. Tons of shouting and excitement ensued and just pure joy. You know the feeling.

Sending my thanks to the golf gods, and maybe my late father-in-law, Mitch, who may have sent me a nice parting gift but sticking his foot out and kicking it toward the hole.