My first hole-in-one was a moment I’ll never forget, and it happened at Baylands Golf Links in Palo Alto, California. After playing competitively and consistently for over 20 years, I’ve had just about every close call imaginable—balls in and out of the hole, lip-outs, flagstick checks, you name it. But on November 9, 2024, everything changed.
I went out to play as a single that day and joined a group of three gentlemen. We hit it off immediately and had a great time. After the front nine, one of them left, and the remaining two and I continued on. As we chatted, the topic of hole-in-ones came up, and I shared that despite all my years of playing, I had never experienced one.
When we reached hole 16—a 354-yard par 4 with about a 290-yard carry over a bunker to a blind green—the stage was unknowingly set. The wind was gently at my back, the fairways were firm, and the pin was centered on the green. Feeling confident, I grabbed my TSR3 driver, teed up my Titleist -Pro V1x #4, and took my swing.
I hit a great drive—right over the right bunker with a slight fade. As I watched it come down, the ball landed at the top of the hill and disappeared. I couldn’t see where it ended up, but I had a good feeling about the shot. As I walked up to the green, I didn’t see the ball anywhere—neither on the green, behind it, nor in the surrounding bushes or sprinkler heads.
For laughs, I asked one of the gentlemen to check the hole. He walked over, peered in, then turned to me with wide eyes and said, “No way!” Naturally, I thought he was joking. “Stop messing with me!” I said. But then he asked, “Titleist #4?” My heart raced. “No way!” I shouted, and when I ran over to the hole, there it was—my ball, sitting at the bottom.
In that moment, I lost it. I threw my hat, tossed my glove, and ran around the green like a kid. The two gentlemen were cheering and laughing with me as I stood in disbelief. It wasn’t until I reached into the cup to grab the ball myself that it truly hit me—this was real. My adrenaline was through the roof, and I was overcome with emotion.
This is a moment I’ll cherish forever. After years of playing, I can finally say I’ve had a hole-in-one. And not just any hole-in-one—a 354-yard par 4. It’s a story I’ll proudly share with anyone who asks.