It was the 11th Hole with the Native Oaks Players Club last Saturday playing the Lawrence Welk's Fountain Course because of a Juniors’ golf event at the regular course – Native Oaks Golf Course (Valley Center, CA). I was in the first group that morning and playing my usual hot and cold round. On the 10th, I found something in my swing and nearly drove the green, chipping and putting for a birdie. Approaching the 11th tee with a pond between tee markers and the green, I could not help but notice a family watching us from their timeshare balcony at the resort. I was the last to tee off and used my range finder for 102 yards. Using my pitching (P) wedge, I struck the shot well. I watched it go right over the stick as I waited for the usual “it looks good” phrase from someone in our threesome. It landed on the green right behind the flag. I blinked and for a moment that interrupted my view, but I was able to see the ball spin back into the cup. As the pictures show it landed about 6-iches behind the cup before rolling in. I raised my arms and heard my comrades going berserk! The balcony was unequivocally screaming; as if there was a party at 9:30 (a.m., not p.m.). After tipping my hat to the Gallery(!) and slapping more high-fives, we got in the carts and on to the putting surface. The pictures reveal the ball mark was approx. 6" past the hole. I reached in for the Titlist Pro VI and turned around to the grandstands (as if I were competing at the Waste Management Open!) and raised my right hand with the ball - pointing heroically one more time with screams and applause! The threesome took the usual pictures (attached) before we went on our joyous way to the 12th hole. When the round was over, I discovered in the clubhouse did pretty good which was good enough for the top prize winner, as well as the recipient of the club's Hole-in-One insurance - less the amount spent on drinks in the clubhouse bar. The Welk's Pro Shop also presented me with a Hole-in-One Certificate (attached). They are a first class facility!
A final word which I was afraid to share during the round. Three people later heard me mention that I communicated to my friend (Steve) while I was addressing the infamous shot. I said to my departed friend, “this shot is for you” because you intentionally entered my mind at that moment! Being we were both avid golfers, Bob (NOPC’s President) often paired us in the same group. I was not happy with my swing consistency to that point on the 11th and for an unlikely reason I thought of Steve while I was addressing the ball. Was it divine intervention? I wouldn’t be telling you this if I did believe it! Steve was a non-smoker who passed away from an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer at too early an age. In his mid-50's Steve was an exceptionally good golfer, but one of the greatest members of NOPC. Steve was on everyone’s mind in the whole club! He never came out of the ICU and was not able to tell us his final story. I had reservations about mentioning it to anyone, but I did muster up enough courage in saying it after the round to one of the fellows in the threesome. He too, had his story to share about Steve, which gave me the courage to tell NOPC’s President (Bob) about my experience. I also brought this up to wife Mari, but she was so nice and let my emotions run freely.
Altogether, it was a magical day, one I will always remember! Thank you for letting me share it with you. -Mel