The Eagle 2...The Equal Of The Ace!

An uncommon ocurrence took place this Tuesday…while on an outing at Seneca Hickory Stick golf course in Lewiston, NY, this writer played driver, then full sand wedge into the hole on the treacherous sixth hole for an enviable eagle two. Given the addled state of his brain, this writer recalled only three previous instances when such an ocurrence took place. Given that this write is 44 years and has golfed for 34 of those years, the hole-out seems to brigadoon its way every 8.5 years (look out, 2018!)

After that hesitant intro, I’m back in the first person.  Here’s a run-down of those four eagles:

1987…Ralph Mhyre Golf Club of Middlebury College, Vermont…Playing the 320-yard third hole, I had about 60 yard into the green…hit a bump-and-run 7 iron the length of the long, narrow green…it went through the biarritz-ish swale, up onto the back tier, and disappeared. My partner hugged me and planted a big, wet one on my…cheek.

2008…Haystack Golf Club, Vermont (I must like this state!)…full-blooded 8-iron with the brother in law as witness. Sun in my eyes, so I never saw it berth, release and drop.  Do you know the USGA commercial, where the kid makes the ace and no one sees it, then the super intendent saves the day? Same thing for us…the super was perched above the green and saw it go in.

2009…Tot Hill Golf Club, North Carolina…after a fruitless search for the ball on 18, we found it outside the white fence that borders the left side of the 18th hole (in actuality, a par five, so this one is less spectacular.) Since there were no OB stakes, I played it…onto the green and into the hole. My partner did an Irish jig and we drove off, elated.

2010…Seneca Hickory Stick, New York…the sixth is a terrific Robert Trent Jones II hole…divided fairway with left offering greater challenge and reward…I went right, then whacked the sand wedge into the cup on two bounces and a wee bit of roll.

I anticipate never holing out from the teeing ground of a golf hole in this lifetime. I’ve hit some nice shots into greens and love the opportunity to putt for birdie. If you, golfing gods, promise me that I’ll enjoy these less-than-perfect shots for the remainder of my days, I’ll be more than grateful and satisfied.