From the Editor

 

Bob Albright

Still in search of golf's greatest shot

In a perfect world this would be a great time to write about my hole-in-one.  That well-struck Titleist that took three bounces, disappeared, and instantly became a wall ornament next to my autographed picture of Larry Bird. A great little segue into an edition of NSG chock full of brushes with golfing greatness.

Unfortunately, that potential wall fixture is either still in my bag, still in the box at some sporting goods store, or, most likely of all, has not even been made yet. Chances are that No. 33 will always have the wall to himself, which, when you think about it, is not an entirely bad thing either.

According to one report in Golf Digest a PGA pro’s chances of recording an ace is one in 3,756. As for the rest of us? Well, that figure rounds out to one in 12,750. Hey, I’ve never been accused of skimping on strokes out on the golf course, but I’m fairly confident that I will hit my 12,750th tee shot on a par-3 some time around my 132nd birthday. There are those, however, who defy those odds. Go take a walk through the lounge at Middleton GC and gaze up at the plaques that circle the room. You will see that the names of talented golfers like the club’s owner and founder Bart Brown and head pro Chris Costa are up there early and often.  Brown is 90 years young, has nine aces, and, by the look of things, might not be done from adding to that total.

Along with the likes of Brown and Costa, however, you will find several novice golfers and even some of Costa’s first-year students as well. That’s the thing about aces. They do indeed come from all swing shapes. From airmail lasers that help decide a club championship, to those that ricocheted off a tree 30 yards off the green and were only discovered in the hole after the golfer had thoroughly combed the rough. Only the ensuing clubhouse celebration is the same it seems.

They all also lend themselves to some great stories. Swampscott’s Vin DiLisio, 77, has recorded seven aces over his productive playing career, but will always remember the first. Not for the shot per say, but for the guy who attested to it – the late great Robert Goulet who happened to be playing in the group in front of him.  Along with checking in with two of the most ace-friendly clubs on the North Shore – Middleton and Wenham – in our final issue of 2009, we also take a look at a couple of the unique hole-in-ones to come across our desk here at North Shore Golf. With a good three months of golf still to be played locally (says here that November is going to be downright balmy!), there’s plenty of time to add to the list. Don’t get caught up in the odds, but do try to find your way over to Middleton or Wenham.

I’ll see you out on the fairways,

Bob Albright
Editor
balbright@northshoremassgolf.com

 

Bob Albright
editor

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