Long-time friends Rob Davis, 67, and David Lewis, 64, enjoyed a weekend they will be talking about for the rest of their lives after achieving an extraordinary double at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
Playing together as they have for more than 30 years, the pair both made a hole-in-one on the same par-3 – an astonishing feat with estimated odds of 17 million to one.
With the flag at the back of the 107-yard hole, Rob struck first, holing out with a pitching wedge for his first-ever ace. Moments later, David followed him in with the same club.
Rob, who plays off 10.8, admitted he didn’t initially realise what had happened: “We knew my shot had hit the flag, but because of the green’s topography we couldn’t see the base of the pin. I honestly thought it had bounced off into the fringe, so I wasn’t that excited at first. David’s looked close too, but again, we couldn’t see the finish.
“When we walked up and saw no balls on the green, one of our playing partners told us to go to the hole together. Seeing both balls in there was surreal. We just shook hands and tried to take it all in.”
With the flag at the back of the 107-yard hole, Rob struck first, holing out with a pitching wedge for his first-ever ace. Moments later, David followed him in with the same club.
Rob, who plays off 10.8, admitted he didn’t initially realise what had happened: “We knew my shot had hit the flag, but because of the green’s topography we couldn’t see the base of the pin. I honestly thought it had bounced off into the fringe, so I wasn’t that excited at first. David’s looked close too, but again, we couldn’t see the finish.
“When we walked up and saw no balls on the green, one of our playing partners told us to go to the hole together. Seeing both balls in there was surreal. We just shook hands and tried to take it all in.”
The celebrations continued in the Spike Bar, where the pair bought drinks for fellow golfers before heading to the Professional Shop to share the news with Mike Jones and his team. “They wanted the photos and scorecards straight away so they could share it on the club’s pages,” Rob said.
For David, a 7.1-handicapper, it was his second career ace – having made one on the 4th at Hoylake – though he’s determined not to repeat the mistake he made with his first.
“I had one about 12 years ago but forgot to change the ball and promptly hit it into the gorse, never to be seen again. I wasn’t making that mistake this time!”
Rob added: “I haven’t decided how to mount the ball yet – I’ll need to check with David before we get something done!”
England Golf Championships Director James Crampton said: "Some people go their whole lives without getting a hole-in-one. To achieve one, alongside one of your friends, on the same hole, is nothing short of extraordinary, as the odds suggest - but it's a moment that golfers will cherish for the rest of their lives."
For David, a 7.1-handicapper, it was his second career ace – having made one on the 4th at Hoylake – though he’s determined not to repeat the mistake he made with his first.
“I had one about 12 years ago but forgot to change the ball and promptly hit it into the gorse, never to be seen again. I wasn’t making that mistake this time!”
Rob added: “I haven’t decided how to mount the ball yet – I’ll need to check with David before we get something done!”
England Golf Championships Director James Crampton said: "Some people go their whole lives without getting a hole-in-one. To achieve one, alongside one of your friends, on the same hole, is nothing short of extraordinary, as the odds suggest - but it's a moment that golfers will cherish for the rest of their lives."
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org