On June 1st, I met up with an old roommate and lifelong golf buddy back in the area where we first met over 30 years prior, for the last round of golf he’d be playing for the next five or so years due to an unfortunate set of circumstances (long story).. I have played more tournament rounds with this individual than with anyone else, while roommates in Jackson Mississippi in the early 90’s, and later after we both moved out of the area to chase our respective careers.
When leaving the house in Madison Mississippi where we were staying the next morning, on our way to a meeting where he’d be finalizing his affairs, followed by lunch, and then on to a 2:40 PM tee time, the first intersection we came to, directly in front of us, at eye level, was the entrance to where I had had my only other ace (also with him) almost 28 years ago. It was so glaring that I laughed to myself then said out loud “Can you believe that’s where I had my last and only hole in one? Then since I knew it’d be the last round of golf he’d be playing for a while I added “Boy, It’d be nice to get my second one today.”
After our meeting and lunch, we arrived at The Refuge and met two close friends who were to join us. After shooting +3 on the front, in what was turning into a steamy Mississippi afternoon I quickly doubled #10 and followed it up with bogey on #11 then rattled off three consecutive loose swing pars. When we got to the 124yd 15th, our friend who had the honors was unsure about what to hit as the wind had picked up due to a nearby pop-up storm which thankfully had cooled things down a little. In trying to keep up the pace of play, I asked if I could “show him the way”, then proceeded to fade a PW to the 124yd hole which landed 5ft left, took one hop, and spun right into the hole. The celebration ensued, and my golf buddy and I told the story about us driving out of the neighborhood earlier in the day (adding that I hit the same club, with the same fade, to almost the exact same yardage 28 years prior). Everyone was so happy. I couldn’t believe it. I then proceeded to go double, triple, par to finish the round for an 81, but such is golf.. and life…
