Jim Collins shows off his scorecard with his amazing par-4 hole-in-one shot.
Dave Vader
In my 35 years of playing golf, I have only seen a par-4 hole-in-one twice. It is a very, very rare accomplishment. I’ve never had one, but we had a par-4 hole-in-one right here in PebbleCreek on Sept. 30, when Jim Collins scored an albatross* on the 7th hole of the Tuscany West course, playing at 255 yards. I believe this is the first par-4 hole-in-one ever recorded in PebbleCreek—and I’ve love to see some more!
Jim, who moved from Minnesota to PebbleCreek in 2015, told me he prepared for this incredible accomplishment by having nothing but coffee for breakfast (to keep his edge?) before joining his golf buddies Todd Christenson, Gary Magnuson, and Wayne Richmond on the course. Jim said he has only played golf seriously for five years, and this is his first hole-in-one, which is pretty amazing, lucky, or whatever you want to call it. How about simply outstanding?! Congratulations, Jim.
*Albatross means three shots under par (-3) (the albatross being one of the largest birds); also called a double eagle in the U.S. It is an extremely rare score and occurs most commonly on par-5 with a strong drive and a holed approach shot. The first famous albatross was made by Gene Sarazen in 1935 on the 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club during the final round of the Masters Tournament. The sportswriters of the day termed it “the shot heard ’round the world.”
An average of fewer than three albatrosses per year are recorded on PGA tours.