Howie Tiger
On Jan. 28, Ken Ogden made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at the Tuscany Falls East course. This was the first ace of the 2021 season, made in a PCMGA event. As such, Ken now qualifies for the annual hole-in-one prize.
The 17th hole was playing 128 yards from the white tee to a front pin placement. There was a slight left-to-right wind, so Ken decided to hit a “knock-down” 7-iron. His shot had a low trajectory as designed. The ball landed on the green and hopped to the right toward the hole. One of Ken’s playing partners, Terry Kay, thought it went in. Ken thought it was behind the hole as “friends of my wife, Karen, are always saying men and golf shots look better from a distance.”
As the group approached the hole, Terry said, “Ken, you’re the only one who can look in the cup.” Ken thought it was some kind of superstition. Voila! Terry was right. Miracle shot!
Ken’s playing partners that day included Terry, John Adams, and Jeff Back. Jeff was playing his first time in a PCMGA event. Jeff might be a lucky charm, who knows?
Ken started playing golf as a 10-year-old off and on, and has been regularly playing for the last 25 years. This was Ken’s third hole-in-one. His first came about 10 years ago on the 16th hole at Penn National Golf Club in Fayetteville, Pa. It was an uphill blind shot, so he did not see it go in. His second one came two years ago at the Wigwam Golf Club. From the tee, the ball looked to hang on the lip of the cup for the longest time. As he approached the green, the ball fell in!
Ken grew up in Tuscola, Ill. He joined the U.S. Air Force out of high school. He served for eight years stationed in several places, including Turkey, Shemya (Alaska), and Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. He secured his degree in business from the University of Alaska while serving in the Air Force and while working for General Electric. He spent 10 years with GE maintaining and operating 18 radar sites in Alaska. He spent the rest of his career with Alaska Native Corporation, a defense contracting firm in Alaska and Washington, D.C. He was president and CEO of one of their divisions focusing on logistics and operations.
Ken retired in 2013 and moved with his wife, Karen, to PebbleCreek.
Congratulations to Ken on his amazing shot. Ken humbly thought it was just dumb luck!