John Ward presented Bunker Boys hole-in-one plaque by Bob Cowan; front row, Bob Cowan, John Ward; back row, Bob Hartsman, Bob Garner, Ken Laychak
Most golfers dream of experiencing the incredible flow of adrenaline when the most improbable event sometimes happens which is the exceedingly rare hole-in-one achievement. Kudos and congratulations to John Ward of the PebbleCreek Bunker Boys Golf Group for his remarkable hole-in-one achievement at the recent April 18 Bunker Boys outing at about 11:44 a.m. at our Eagle’s Nest Par 3 hole 12.
So improbable are hole-in-ones that according to the reliable statistics listed in the Golf Digest, the average golfer if very lucky may get a hole-in-one once every 12,500 swings. On the assumption then that someone may golf 18 holes every week, since only the four Par 3 holes on a typical 18 hole course are hole-in-one possibilities, then it would take over 60 years to possibly get a hole-in-one.
As reported John Ward, utilizing his number 5 Wood from the Red Tee, 110 yards to the yellow pin, drove the ball on a line drive dead center towards the green. The ball landed on the front half of the green and then rolled out of sight from the tee box. After everyone completed their drives, Jon Ward, sharing his cart with Garry Jaffe, proceeded to the green and initially John was alarmed in that he could not locate his ball and assumed it rolled off the green. Lo and behold, his other team member, Kit Leitch, approached the hole and in amazement informed John his ball was in the hole; a totally unexpected and genuine hole-in-one. Almost immediately John proceeded to perform the so-named Jack Nicholson celebration waltz which also is called a chicken dance when your author celebrates a great hole.
Some of the most famed golfers in many generations have their share of superstitions and that being said, John extends his credit to his beloved wife, Sandy Ward, for embracing his hole-in-one golf ball a few moments prior to his leaving his home for Eagle’s Nest. Great work, John, and Sandy, surely you share some credit.
As for the Bunker Boys, this is an outstanding closely knit group of social golfers which formed in 2006. The Bunker Boys golf at least once weekly at PebbleCreek as well as other area golf courses and in addition conduct social gatherings regularly and out of area outings for the members and their spouses or guests.
John, again our hats off to you for your incredible hole-in one accomplishment.