Thanks to the brilliant support from our hole-in-one sponsors Bespoke Sport Framing in 2019; we’ve had a record number of aces sent to us by the readers. BSF donate a special framed memento of your special achievement each month to a lucky winner we draw out of the hat.
Here is a recap of the finest 2019 aces we’ve come across and featured in the magazine. It was a special year with some incredible feats from our hole-in-one stars, as follows……………
MG’s Holes in One Top Ten 2019
10/ Spencer Sheffield – June – Spencer’s ace was a personal one, to us as well as to him. Playing in the MG Junior Par 3 Championships in June at Nailcote Hall, the 16 year old aced the deadly 90 yard 4th hole, his first competitive hole-in-one and our first also in what was our ninth event at the home of Par 3 golf in the region.
9/ Mark Ashton – June – High flying Mark became by far our furthest traveller from The Midlands to shoot a hole-in-one this year. 2019’s Staffordshire Seniors Captain is pictured here after picking his ball up on the 11th hole at Hanmer Springs GC situated on New Zealand’s South Island.
8/ Madeline Badger – Jan – 10 year old Madeline from Bewdley Pines GC holed out on the 120 yard 17th hole during a chilly winter round. She described it as “the best day of my life” – Dad Carl who was in attendance was proud but also received a good bit of ribbing, he hasn’t had one in 28 years of golfing.
7/Maurice/Derek – April – The 164 yard 14th hole at Wrekin Golf Club saw not one but two aces on the same spring day. Both were by club senior members, ex club captain 81 year old Maurice Cooke went first for his second career hole-in-one, Derek Burrows (73)followed him in later on that special day.
6/ Anthony Bridgeman – June and Nov – Anthony is a junior member at The Belfry and earlier this year also won England Golf’s Heroes Handshake award for his services to junior disabled golf in the region. On the course he’s not bad either and shot two aces this year, one (L) on Kenilworth GC’s Par 3 course in June, then he went full length and shot another at Stoneleigh Deer Park (R) in November.
5/ Deb Pursell – July – The Trentham lady member shot hers at the stunning 16th hole at Robin Hood GC in July during the lady captain’s away day. What made it even more special was that this took place during Deb’s first round since having laser eye surgery in the summer – we can supply the surgeon’s name if anyone is interested.
4/ Neil/Dave – August – During a seniors match between Notts clubs Oakmere and Springwater, one player on each side shot an ace. Springwater golfer Dave Thorley gave his side an advantage with one on the 8th hole – but not long after, Oakmere’s Neil Goodwin (L) holed out on the 15th. Home team Oakmere won the Match, the boys shared the bottle of Whisky with the other team members.
3/ James McFarlane – July – Hilltop GC golfer James (left on pic) and seven buddies enjoyed their annual golf break at the fabulous Manor House Golf Club in the Cotswolds in the summer. In 2018 James eagled the par 4 eighth hole, ‘Stepping Stones’ – a gorgeous looking downhill, full in view short par four. His playing partners remembered that success whilst stood with him on the tee this year – you can guess what happened next. Here’s a clue – 2018’s five stableford points became six in 2019.
2/ Dan Rocke – Sept – If there’s going to be an albatross hole in one in The Midlands it’s a fair likelihood it will come on the 18th at Kington GC. Dan Rocke here became the second golfer to perform that special feat at the hilltop Herefordshire club this year, it was also his first EVER ace, not a bad place to do it on the 279 yard scenic wonder.
1/ Richard/Trevor – Sept – A 1,300,000 to 1 event occurred at Whittington Heath GC as two members playing in the same fourball on the same day both shot aces. Richard Harborne got one on the fourth hole, then not to be outdone his pal Trevor Boston managed to hole out at the next short hole, the seventh. One happy clubhouse ensued.
2020 – If you get a hole-in-one, take a picture of yourself by the hole side and email it to us with the info or post it on your Twitter or Facebook pages and tag @midlandsgolfer and @spfruk.
We’ll get you in the draw to win one of these special framed mementos – 11 to give away next year.
