Testa nails an ace on No. 13
Hole in ones remain the quintessential golf shots, based on the sheer improbability of their occurrence.
Insurance companies who offer prize indemnification services have calculated the chance of an average golfer making a hole in one at approximately 12,500 to 1, and the odds of a tour professional at 2,500 to 1.
Of course, recording an ace depends on length of shot, ability, green contour and flag position.
Those variables matter this week as talented teens play an American Junior Golf Association event at Springdale Golf Club.
Hole No. 13, a 127 yard challenge from middle teeing ground, may serve as the perfect spot for a hole in one.
The green slopes toward the tee area which means a hole position toward the middle or front of the green provides a shot that lands beyond the flag an opportunity to funnel back for a potential ace.
Mike Testa, reigning Springdale GC men’s champion, used a 50-degree wedge for a hole in one at No. 13 on July 4th.
In nearly a month, only two aces have occurred there since the Testa ace.
No. 13 seems getable for at least one AJGA player but it’s certainly no guarantee.
Eighty-four golfers will play three rounds during the July 30-Aug. 2event. That’s just 252 first swings for hole in ones at No.13. The odds seemed stacked against an ace but the vote here is for a hole in one.
In Oct. 2017, Edoardo Molinari, a European Tour pro who will forever be known as the brother to The Open champion Francesco, participated in a Tour challenge.
Molinari hit 500 shots to a hole 145-yards away. First shot landed four inches away then after almost 12 hours and numerous close calls, Molinari had the same amount of hole in ones as majors. Zilch.
He cried. Whined. Fell on his back for several temper tantrums and performed the forbidden Nada Lambada dance.
Fast forward to July 6 as Molinari played a second round in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, at Ballyliffin.
Sure, you know what happened at hole No. 14. Six iron from 200 yards away. Ace!
Norman Manley of California holds the record for most hole in ones with 59.
Manley had his first hole in one in 1964.
If you have not recorded an ace or it’s been a long time since your last, just follow the lead of Gus Andreone.
In December 2014, the 103-year-old Andreone recorded the eighth ace of his career on the 113-yard, 14th hole of the Lakes Course at Palm Aire in Sarasota, Fla.
Length of time between Andreone’s first ace and his latest? 75 years. His first came in 1939.
Keep swinging.