Mike Daubenmier shows off his first hole-in-one ball.
Mike Daubenmier Makes First Ever Hole-in-One at Tuscany Falls East
Howie Tiger
On March 22, Mike Daubenmier made a hole-in-one on hole number 17 at Tuscany Falls East. He made it while playing in the Wild Bunch golf group. This was Mike’s first ever hole-in-one!
The 17th hole played 123 yards from the white tees to a front-center pin-placement. Mike hit his pitching wedge just left of the flagstick. Tom Hume, one of his playing partners, said, “That’s going to be good!” The ball bounced, then rolled to the right and disappeared into the hole. Mike got all excited and yelled, “That’s my first one!” Tom and Mike’s other playing partners, Mike Self and Dee Cuttell, started high fiving and hollering! Mike said it was an awesome feeling when the ball disappeared.
Mike is originally from Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in actuarial science. He spent most of his career in Iowa and in Michigan. Initially he was an actuary for 13 years and then 20 years as president of two life insurance companies (AAA and Allied).
Mike is an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan as proven by his golf cart and just about everything he wears. It was quite a week for this Hawkeye fan. Not only did he make a hole-in-one, but he celebrated his 75th birthday and he and his wife, Judy, traveled back to Iowa to see Caitlin Clark play in her final home college basketball game!
In thinking about his hole-in–one and in true actuarial spirit, Mike made a calculation of the odds of his making an ace based on his own experience. He said he has been playing golf on a regular basis for 20 years and averages about 125 rounds per year for a total of 2,500 rounds. Most courses have 4 par 3s, so that’s 10,000 chances. His odds calculation was therefore 1 in 10,000. According to American Hole-In-One, the odds are 1 in 12,500. So, his calculation was pretty close! Not bad for an old actuary!
He retired in 2004, and he and Judy purchased in PebbleCreek. His goal for an active retirement is to exceed the number of years worked.
Congrats to Mike on a great shot and a great week!
Rich Elliott celebrates his “slam dunk” hole-in-one.
Rich Elliott Makes a “True” Hole-in-One at Tuscany Falls East
Howie Tiger
On April 15, Rich Elliott made what some people call a “true” hole-in-one on hole number 8 at Tuscany Falls East while playing with Jim Wolfe’s golf group. This was Rich’s third career hole-in-one and his second in the last six months.
The 8th hole was playing 153 yards from the white tee to a front pin-placement. Against a hurting wind, Rich hit his 6-iron straight at the pin. It was “nothing but net” as his ball went straight into the cup with no bounces whatsoever. He and his playing partners (Jim Wolfe, Larry Dick, and Bruce Herron) heard a “clink” and did not see the ball. Rich said, “I think it went in.” Jim looked through his rangefinder and said, “I don’t see a ball on the green or elsewhere.” Larry said, “I don’t see it either.” Bruce said, “That would be awesome.” The group proceeded to the green. Larry was the first to arrive and looked into the cup. He drops his clubs, turns toward Rich, and says, “It’s in!” And the celebration began!
Rich was born and raised in Madison, Wis.. As a 15-year-old playing for Madison West Little League, he competed in the Senior Little League World Series. Twelve teams from all over North America played each other at the Chicago Cubs AAA stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, in front of 12,000+ spectators. He played against the likes of Dale Berra (Yogi’s son) and Fernando Valenzuela. Their team finished third.
Rich graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in business and marketing management. He played baseball (third base) for Wisconsin all four years. But baseball was not his only extracurricular activity at Wisconsin. He was also a member of the cheerleading squad for two years!
Rich started his work career at Enron, but two years later joined General Electric in their plastics division. He worked for GE for 40 years in various management positions all throughout the United States. His final position was regional marketing and sales manager, responsible for the Western half of the U.S. He retired in 2019. He and his wife, Bonnie, moved to PebbleCreek in 2010.
Congrats on your “true”/”nothing but net”/”slam dunk” shot!