HOLE LOT OF JOY
GOLFER’S HAPPY SHOT:
A CAIRNS structural engineer has followed in the golfing footsteps of fictional character Happy Gilmore with “a one-in-six million” shot that’s scored him one of the rarest feats in professional sports – a par-4 hole-inone.
Ross Argent teed off with his trusty one-wood on the 268-metre first hole at Cairns Golf Club on Saturday morning as part of a four-ball club event.
His first shot of the day felt good, he said, but didn’t immediately realise his masterful stroke had been blessed by the golfing gods.
“I waited for the green to clear before we started,” Argent said.
“I hit it well and it definitely felt okay but I didn’t think much of it.
“I usually hit them shorter and a bit more crooked. Thankfully there was no wind.
“We couldn’t find it short, or over the green, we had a look in the bunker, then finally checked the hole.
“I couldn’t believe it so I called over my mate, Nick and there it was.
“It was pretty cool. There were a few high fives.
“A few people suggested we go straight to the 19th hole but I played through.”
In a humorous twist, Argent has a quote from Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore printed on all his personal golf balls.
In the film, Gilmore, a hockey player who can’t skate, takes up golf and sinks numerous hole-in-ones using an unorthodox swing.
“It’s pretty weird isn’t it?” Argent said.
“He definitely has a couple of par-4 hole-in-ones in the movie.
“You could call it life imitating art – if you can call it (Happy Gilmore) art.”
Cairns Golf Club’s director of golf Jason Roach said Argent’s amazing shot was the first time he could recall a player hitting a hole-in-one on a par 4.
“I googled it and there was a link from the PGA estimating how often a hole-in-one on a par 4 would occur and it’s a one-in-six million shot,” Roach said.
“I’ve never heard of it happening and I’ve been in the industry for 15 years. “It’s just incredible. “The reaction on our social media accounts has been incredible. It’s a fantastic effort.
“He’s one of the nicer guys going around and Ross puts a lot of work into his golf.
“I honestly can’t believe it. We’ve had two albatrosses in our last six months as well.”
Rather than keeping the ball in his bag, Argent used it again on the second hole and nearly lost it near a water hazard.
“As soon as I hit it I thought ‘Oh, no!’ But thankfully I found it,” he said.
“I’ll keep the ball and scorecard. Maybe I’ll frame it. I’m not quite sure yet.”
Argent said the incredible hole-in-one would go down as one of his greatest achievements.
“I’d have to rank it below having kids and getting married but this is pretty good,” he said.
The miracle shot follows on from amateur golfer Paul Carney’s own hole-in-one on the 210m par-3 fifth hole at Cairns Golf Club last month.
“I tell you what, when it’s your day, it’s your day,” Carney said at the time.