Jackie Christianson
Howie Tiger
On Feb. 11, Jack Larson made a double-eagle (a score of 2) on the par-5 16th hole at Eagle’s Nest. He did it while playing with the Bandits Golf Group.
The 16th hole was playing 510 yards from the blue tees. With a strong wind at his back and firm fairways, Jack hit a longer than normal drive, probably about 270+ yards. He had 238 yards to a middle pin for his second shot. As he and his team were not playing well that day, Jack thought he would go for the green. He said to himself, “What have I got to lose?” He hit his three-wood pure with a trajectory straight at the pin. As the 16th green slopes down from the front, he could not see the bottom of the flagstick.
When Jack and his playing partners Wayne Cox, Joe Jones, and Glenn Kunishige arrived at the green, they did not see his ball. They checked the sand trap and all around the green. Jack told Wayne, “Hey better check the hole!” Wayne looked in the hole and yelled, “Holy smokes (or something to that effect), it’s a 2!” High fives ensued. On the 17th tee they had a traditional “birdie juice.” But since it was a double-eagle they had more than one.
A double-eagle is also known as an “albatross” as it is so rare. It has been said that the odds of making one are 6 million to one. One study estimated that 40,000 holes-in-one are made annually, but only 200 double-eagles.
Jack has been playing golf for 60 years and has had two holes-in-one, both at the Crosswoods Golf Club in Crosslake, Minn. One came in 2020 and the other in 2021. He’s never had an albatross before.
Jack grew up on a farm in Crystal Lake, Iowa. Graduating high school and having a draft lottery number of 83, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Texas and in Germany. We thank him for his service. Utilizing the GI Bill, Jack secured a business degree in finance from Mankato State University in Mankato, Minn.
He spent his 35-year career as a stockbroker. He started at the Piper Jaffray investment firm, but for most of his career he was an independent. Jack and his wife of 33 years, Jan, have spent most of their adult lives in New Ulm, Minn. He and Jan have lived in PebbleCreek for four years.
Congratulations on a super shot that few golfers have ever made!
On a somber note, Jack Dagro, a longtime Bandits Golf Group member passed away that same day. He was a great guy who loved golf and the Bandits send their thoughts and prayers to his wife Joann and their family.