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From Staff Reports
Historic Register Launches Search For Hole-In-Ones Introductory Paragraph: United States Golf Register, the nation's first historic registry of hole-in-ones, has launched a nationwide search to identify and register all hole-in-ones hit in the US,past and present. Formed in 1998, the fully trademarked US Golf Register has been dedicated to identifying, documenting, and archiving hole in ones, and to distinguish those who have achieved this extraordinary event. There are no fees for registration, and no dues. All archived information is forwarded to the USGA annually. It is estimated that the odds of hitting a hole in one are anywhere between one in 20,000 and one in 33,000. Those odds are guesstimates based on estimated rounds played and estimated hole-in-ones achieved. Up until now, no official group was attempting to identify and officially register every hole-in-one hit in the US both past and present. United States Golf Register has changed that. "No single organization was dedicated to historically registering hole-in-ones," says James Bowen, president of US Golf Registry. "We think an ace is a historical event, and we want to treat it like one," says Bowen. US Golf Register was developed as a historical register. Each hole-in-one registered is given an official registration number and is recorded along with the golfer's name, date, course, hole, ball and club used, and at least one witness. The information is then archived, and forwarded to the USGA annually. Bowen says he has not yet had the pleasure of recording his own hole-in-one. "I'm working at trying to play enough golf to make that dream come true," he says with a smile. To register your hole-in-one, call US Golf Registry at 318-222-9686. You can register via the internet by logging on to the US Golf Register Web Site at www.usgolfregister.org.
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Historical Record Gains National Attention Introductory Paragraph: SHREVEPORT, LA - The United States Golf Register was established in 1998, when businessman and golf enthusiast James Bowen discovered that there existed no official national registry devoted to recording and archiving the extraordinary feat of a hole-in-one. Bowen found that golfers who hit a hole-in-one were surprised and disappointed that not one "official" source was interested in chronicling their achievement, even though it is estimated that a hole-in-one is hit in only one in 33,000 holes. Fascinated by the odds, and determined that the achievement merited recognition, Bowen set out to establish an official register and historical record for all holes-in-one, past and present, achieved on US soil. By launching an official national registry, Bowen created an organization dedicated to identifying, registering, and archiving holes-in-one. "We are interested in preserving history. We believe an ace to be a historical event, and we want to treat it like one," says Bowen. "We are devoted to historical preservation, and this archive represents an excellent compliment to one's golfing career." The United States Golf Register is the custodial body of holes-in-one in the U.S.. Registration is free, and there are no dues to pay once registered. Bowen's registry has gained such national attention, that this historical record is archived at the United States Golf Association, annually. Registration can be done via the website - www.usgolfregister.org - or by mailing a request for a registration form at, United States Golf Register, 712 Milam, Ste.100, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71101, or by phone (318) 222-9686. Bowen has created a unique record for all golfers. "We accept registration from anyone interested in becoming a part of golf history. It doesn't matter if you're a professional, or a weekend hacker. If you've hit a hole-in-one, we want to know." When asked if his name is registered, Bowen says with a smile, "I have not yet had the honor, but I'm confident my day will come."
