Hole in One….on a par 4???

According to a Golf Digest study in 1999, the odds of a tour player making a hole in one are 3000 to 1. The odds for a low handicapper are 5000 to 1, and for an average golfer the odds are 12 000 to 1. Those odds are insurmountable for most of us. However, there are those lucky few who get that golden ace on a par 3, but what about on a par 4? All of us at Foresite Sports would like to congratulate Doug Johnson for getting a hole in one on a par 4 and in turn defying crazy odds.

Patrick Jones, a reporter for the Natchez Democrat newspaper in Mississippi, tells us that Doug Johnson, “who lives in McKinney, Texas, was in town for the South Natchez Class of 1989’s 20-year reunion.” Being an avid golfer, Doug Johnson “decided to play 36 holes with his fellow South Natchez 1989 graduate Tee Cotten at Duncan Park Golf course.” Patrick Jones’ report then informs us that “on the 12th hole Johnson made a double-eagle from 290 yards out with a driver. It was his first-ever hole in one and he will never forget it.”

Doug Johnson recalls hitting the shot pretty well and being concerned that his ball was off the green. In the report, “Cotton also said he knew Johnson’s tee shot was a good one, but he never envisioned it eventually finding its way into the cup.” Johnson was first to tee off. The ball went left of the bunker and took two hops before it rolled up on the green. After that, they couldn’t see the ball’s eventual path into the hole.

Cotton then recollected that he and Doug have “played a lot of rounds together, probably over 100. They started playing golf at Duncan Park, so it was pretty special.” Consequently, we at Foresite Sports are firm believers that golf is a great game that allows anybody to build lifetime friendships. Ironically we also believe that if you need hole in one insurance, million dollar shoot out coverage and other golf tournament services, you should explore all of the possibilities that we offer.

A Hole In One Times 3 for this Florida Resident!

For those who have never hit a hole in one, do not feel bad. The fact is it is rare to do so. Yet, one man has hit his third hole in one. Imagine being able to claim that! Here is how it played out.

Jack Gronwoldt of Palm Coast was playing on the South Hampton course in St. Augustine, Florida. The course is rather well known in the area as one of the finer quality golf courses. He aced the third hole on the course, from 122 yards out. He used his driver to accomplish the feat.

Interestingly, that is not all that happened that day in June. Another golfer, Dicker Ackerman, was playing at Spruce Creek course, which is located in Port Orange. He earned the coveted eagle. He spun a three iron from 175 yards out. It went right into the cup on the 14th hole. That hole has a par 4 that stretches some 425 yards away.

What does this show you? On any given day in the great game of golf, fantastic things happen, including the coveted hole in one. It can happen to anyone, and it can happen more than one time.

For those who are going up against Jack Gronwoldt, with his three hole in ones under his belt, it must be a bit nerve wracking! Imagine playing in a golf tournament with Jack (we definitely hope that facility has made the decision to have hole in one insurance!). Still, you never know what can happen when you hit the green.

Are All Superstitions Silly?

Every sport has its superstitious players. Many NFL kickers go through very specific routines even before easy extra point kicks. Hockey players in the playoffs often will not shave until they are out of the running or have won the Stanley Cup. Basketball players often have a set routine before every foul shot.

Golf is no different from any other sport in this aspect. It has been a breeding ground for superstitions and odd ritualistic behaviors, probably more so than any other sport. Jesper Parnevik always marks his ball with a dime, but never with the heads side up. And before a match if he has more than one dime, he throws them up in the air and uses whichever one land tails side up.

Some golfers claim they have no superstitious tendencies, but they may just have had them for so long that they don’t realize they do. Some are also just a matter of preference. Mark O’Meara only uses white tees, but only because colored tees leave marks on his ball. Tiger claims his red shirt Sundays are not superstitious, just his standard uniform for the final tournament day. Phil Micklelson doesn’t use low numbered Titleist balls, but strictly hits numbers five through eight to avoid confusing his ball with other golfer’s.

Although many superstitions or routines may seem silly, they allow the golfer a sense of comfort before hitting their shot. The patterns and routines used let golfers calm down and focus on their shot by not thinking about outside influences. So if you are playing a round of golf and your partner seems to be taking some extra time setting up on that par three tee box, don’t be too surprised when he knocks in a hole in one. Now the only question is whether that hole was covered with a prize by Foresite Sports!