2021 PCMGA hole-in-one winners (left to right): Ken Ogden, Paul Polk, Phil Smyth, and Ken Helman
Howie Tiger
The PebbleCreek Men’s Golf Association (PCMGA) awards an annual hole-in-one prize to its members who score a hole-in-one during any PCMGA-held event. In 2021, that prize was shared by Ken Ogden, Paul Polk, Phil Smyth, and Ken Helman.
When PCMGA members renew their membership, $5 is collected from each member who wishes to participate in the hole-in-one fund. The amount collected is then split between all members who score a hole-in-one during a PCMGA event held in that calendar year.
Ken Ogden: On Jan. 28, Ken made the first hole-in-one of the 2021 PCMGA season on the 17th hole of the Tuscany Falls East course. The hole played 128 yards to a front pin. Ken hit a knock-down 7-iron into a slight left-to-right wind. The ball 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. Lucky for Ken, Terry was right. A great start to the year. Ken’s other playing partners included John Adams and Jeff Back.
Paul Polk: On March 4, Paul made his first ever hole-in-one on the 12th hole at Eagle’s Nest during the Member-Member tourney. The 12th hole was playing 153 yards to a middle pin. Paul, a lefty, never saw the flight of the ball, but his playing partner, Denny Howland, described it as a low trajectory shot right to left. No one, including his other playing partners, Stan Lockitski and Dennis Thelen, saw the ball go in from their position on the tee. It wasn’t until the group arrived at the green that they discovered the hole-in-one. Paul waited 24 years for this one.
Phil Smyth: On April 23, Phil made an ace on the 16th hole on the Tuscany Falls West course during the Inaugural Ryder Cup Matches. The hole played 123 yards from the white tee to a left middle pin. Phil hit a high trajectory baby draw. The ball landed on the green and took one hop right into the hole. Phil and his three playing partners, Jim Scoular, Ian Downing, and Ed Boehm, saw the ball go in. Someone yelled, “It went in!” Fist bumps and some high-fives ensued.
Ken Helman: On Nov. 18, Ken made a hole-in-one on the 8th hole at Tuscany Falls East course. The hole played 170 yards from the blue tee to a front pin. Ken hit a 7-wood with a slight draw, which landed on the green, then kicked a little left and poured into the hole. There were seven witnesses to this fantastic shot. They included Ken’s playing partners, Harry Apodaca, Mike McMahon, and Ken Schumacher, as well as the group playing behind them, Jim Bundschuh, John Abercrombie, Arnie Lawrence, and Cort Wyss. As a coincidence, Ken’s wife, Cathi, also made an ace four days earlier.
Congrats to all four winners!