Mark is a 29-handicapper. He’d been playing for 30 years without ever achieving the pinnacle of golf (learn more about how rare a hole-in-one is here). He wasn’t playing particularly well that day, but the beauty of golf is that it only takes one shot to turn your whole day around. With the simplest, most unassuming swing you’ll see, the ball rocketed up the green and dropped into the hole. This is exactly why golf becomes so addictive (learn more about the rise of social golf and why players are chasing more experiences like this). Let’s hear from Mark himself on how the day unfolded.
The Q and A:
Local Party Hole: First of all, congratulations, Mark. An amazing achievement, scoring a hole-in-one on the Local Party Hole. Can you tell us about your round up until you reached hole six?
Mark: Pretty average. I’m a 29 handicapper, so you know the quality of golf you’re going to get. It was just an average day. I’m not even sure what my score was up until that point.
Local Party Hole: It didn’t matter what it was before that. Afterwards you must have been feeling amazing.
Mark: I wouldn’t say my game improved after that, but it didn’t go downhill either.
Local Party Hole: How did it feel when it came off the club on hole six?
Mark: I was happy with it because normally I’m out in the trees, left or right. This one went straight down the middle. I thought, that won’t be too far away. It just sort of dribbled up there. Looking back at the video, it went in. But at the time I didn’t realise. I thought it had stopped short, so I didn’t watch it right to the end.
Watch Mark’s hole-in-one shot here
Local Party Hole: You did walk off a bit nonchalantly. Your brother was doing the commentary and keeping track of it for you. Did you believe him when he said he thought it had gone in?
Mark: I looked again and thought, well, it’s not sitting there. He couldn’t see it either. So I thought, maybe it has gone in.
Local Party Hole: You must have realised pretty quickly though, because you were down there in the cart like lightning. What emotions were running through your head?
Mark: Amazement, I suppose. The fact that it had actually gone in. When you play golf, the aim is to get the ball in the hole. But to get it in with one shot is something else. I’ve been close a few times, but never actually had one go in. It was a good feeling.
Local Party Hole: That celebration when you saw it drop said it all. That was your first hole-in-one, right? And how long have you been playing?
Mark: Yes, my first. I started in 1993, so about 30 years now. It’s been a big journey.
Local Party Hole: Do you think there are more left in you?
Mark: Only one hopefully. Hopefully there’s another one in there somewhere.
Local Party Hole: You’ve now got $10,000 in prize money. Any plans for it?
Mark: Not yet. I’ve thought about upgrading my clubs. I’m getting older and my swing’s getting a bit slower, so maybe looking at a seniors shaft or something like that. The clubs aren’t old and they’re still usable. They’ve obviously produced a hole-in-one, so someone said don’t get rid of that club. Apart from that, I haven’t really planned anything yet.
Local Party Hole: What brand are you using at the moment?
Mark: Wilson.
Local Party Hole: What about the golf ball? That one might deserve a special place on the mantelpiece.
Mark: They’ve actually got it here at the clubhouse. They’re going to mount it on a special hole-in-one trophy. I was using a Srixon. I think it was an 83, maybe a 22. Something like that.
Local Party Hole: How did you enjoy the overall experience on the Local Party Hole?
Mark: It was good. Very exciting to get it. And I realised it was the first one for our club, so that made it even more special.
Local Party Hole: Was it nice to have the video proof?
Mark: Yes, it was nice for me to have the proof. I haven’t shown too many people, but I knew it was in the hole because there it was. The word got around pretty quickly when we got back to the clubhouse. It was pretty loud in there.
Local Party Hole: Tell us about the 19th hole. We heard it was going off.
Mark: Oh yes. I said, well, I can afford to shout everyone around. They were very appreciative. A few regulars weren’t there that Saturday because it was the LIV Golf day, and they were giving me a bit of grief the following week asking where their drink was. I told them bad luck, you weren’t there on the day.
Local Party Hole: You’ve got to be there to claim it. Mark, congratulations again. Amazing effort. Enjoy it, and enjoy spending that prize money.
Mark: Thanks very much.
If you’re in South Australia and want to see if you can join Mark in winning a cash prize, explore which South Australian golf courses to play at here.
Fancy a hit in Victoria to win some cash? Find out which Victorian golf courses you can play at here.
