Golf Canada Hole-In-One Report – April, 2025

It was a 167-yard, 8 iron that took one bounce and into the cup. Was on a guy’s golf trip with mostly old high school friends, seven of us in total. My first hole-in-one. I’m a member at Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club just outside of Calgary.

I’m not a great golfer by any means as my handicap sits around the 20 mark. Nonetheless, I had been golfing with my wife and I was 133 yards to the pin, not a lot of wind to speak of and I decided to use a 7 iron (Ping). There was a bunker in front of the pin so when I took my shot, I was just happy that I didn’t land in the bunker, but lost track of my ball as there was a bit of a low spot after the bunker to where the pin was. As I walked towards the green after my shot, I couldn’t see my ball on the green so thought maybe I’d somehow rolled past the green, then decided to check the hole and much to my surprise, there was my ball. My very first hole-in-one! I couldn’t believe it but am very happy to say the least! It can happen to anyone and I hope I can be lucky enough to get more!

I’m excited to share that I recorded a hole-in-one during my first round of the year at McKenzie Meadows Golf Club and it was also the first hole-in-one of the season at the course!

It happened on hole #7, a par 3, playing 130 yards to a back-right pin. There was a light wind coming from the right, and I hit a soft pitching wedge toward the right side of the hill beside the green. The ball landed perfectly on the hill to the right of the pin, caught the slope, and started rolling down toward the hole. A few seconds later, it disappeared and sure enough, it had dropped in!

On a beautiful day set aside for reflection and unity, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day, I recorded my very first hole-in-one after 38 years of playing the game I love. It happened on the iconic hole #17 at Cape Breton Highlands, a picturesque 155-yard par 3 with an elevated tee box. I chose my 7-wood, teed up, and watched as the ball soared, carried the front bunker, landed softly on the green, and began to roll left, tracking toward the hole.

I didn’t see it drop, but I knew it had a chance. Driving up to the green, the excitement built, and when we saw it had disappeared into the cup, the moment became surreal. It was a special, unforgettable feeling—and even more meaningful because I got to share it with my daughter Genevieve and a few close golf friends, Lois Higgins and Lori LeBlanc.

I was playing with Kevin Parnell and Cyrus Gandevia. It was 140 yards and I hit a pitching wedge. 

When I hit the shot, I knew it could very well be close, but shadows hanging over the green made it impossible to see. Two pals each hit their shots to within 15 feet of the hole. I thought mine may have had a chance to go in, but I refused to say anything for fear of the 57 year jinx. When we approached the green for our putts, one ball was about eight feet from the hole (Terry Gaines), and the other was maybe 12 feet away, but past the hole and to the right. I momentarily wondered if I had overshot the green, as I normally hit 8 iron at this hole, but today it was into the wind. While the other two guys approached their balls, I thought I would take a glimpse into the hole on my way by, and much to my delight, a Titleist 8 was staring up at me, bedlam ensued, with Terry being way more excited than myself. I think I was just finally relieved to check that box. The staff at Morgan Creek were very happy for me, and made a big thing out of it, so thanks to them, I have been a Player’s Club Member there for several years. Oddly enough, I have witnessed two of my regular golf buddies get hole-in-one’s on this very same hole, Steve Kenwood and the guy who played with me that day, Terry Gaines. Fun stuff for a bunch of guys 60 years old plus!

My first ever hole-in-one. Hole #4, on the Homestead course at Picture Butte Golf Club. Using a 6 iron, from 160 yards into a west breeze. Witnessed by Calvin Miller, Todd Petro and Ken Boychuk. After 48 years of golf.

My name is Nolan Dingwall. I am 15 years old and a member at Meadows Gardens Golf Club. On Thursday, my Dad and I decided to grab a round of golf before our long drive to our family cabin on the Easter long weekend. We always pass by Chilliwack Golf Club on our drive there and thought it would be great to finally stop one day and golf the course. My goal for the day was to beat my Dad so I could talk about it on our drive to the cabin. I ended up beating my dad and scored my first hole-in-one! On hole #3, from the blues at 201 yards, I chose my 5 iron on this elevated par 3. I knew I was close to the pin when I hit my tee shot, but because it was early morning I couldn’t tell with the shade from the trees. I walked up to the pin and saw my ball which is marked with a red dot and a small N. I could not believe it and was in shock! I called my mom, brother and grandparents right away to share the news. Not only did I get a hole-in-one, I scored my best round yet of 78 and beat my dad by 14 stokes. It was a great day and an even better drive!

It was a beautiful day in Gold River, B.C. when two grade school friends, both locals, got together for a round of golf. The two had not golfed together before and had both only recently got back into the game. Adrian Last and Lee Jack are both middle – high handicappers and had no great expectations for their round, just to catch up with each other and build skills in on the tight and challenging, par 71 course.

Adrian had been verbalizing his shot strategy as part of his goal of being a golfer who breaks 80 this year. When they reached the 185-yard, par 3, hole #6; the flag was barely visible due to a tricky pin placement that hid the hole from view, behind a tree in front of the green. “Okay, aim for the middle of the green.” said Last. “Nice and high, little bit right to left, end up just in the hole,” he joked. The hole is downhill and usually into the wind, probably played about 165 – 170 yards that day. Adrian crushed a perfect 7 iron and got exactly what he asked for.

He told his friends, “the ball came in so high,” and we couldn’t see it behind the tree. There was no room to the left and so when we were driving up to the hole, we weren’t sure if it even held the green. I jumped out of the cart grabbed two clubs and started walking across the green and a saw my mark about a foot from the hole. I exclaimed, “Lee! It’s in!” Not the usual amount of cheering you’d expect from a hole-in-one shot, but a great feeling of excitement for both of the golfers that day.

Adrian would like to thank the staff and volunteers that keep the Gold River Golf Course running and in such good shape. We’re fortunate to have you and this beautiful course. The greenskeeper for that pin placement. Golf Canada for the app and for following up with these kind of achievements by it’s membership. Oh and Lee for putting up with the rest of my shots that round. Yikes.

Pretty amazing to get my very first hole-in-one and I saw it go in the hole. I had goosebumps walking up to the green! I was golfing with Dan Burnett during our Wednesday Senior Men’s competition at the golf club. It was hole #15, 167 yards and I used a four hybrid.

I was playing the hole #3 at Lowville Golf Club. Playing about 165 yards into a stiff 20 mph headwind, I used a 4 iron. Happened on April 19th, 2025, the day before my 63rd birthday. So a nice early birthday gift. My second career hole-in-one, last one was in 1997. Playing with Dean Ellis that day who is a fellow Clublink member at Blue Springs Golf Club where we play regularly.

Living in West Kelowna, right in the heart of the Okanagan, feels like a gift most days, beautiful weather, stunning scenery, and the good fortune of being able to play a few rounds of golf at a course like Shannon Lake.

Our home overlooks hole #16, a tricky par 3 framed by tall pines and the occasional audience of geese. Late April had brought one of those perfect day, warm sun, a soft breeze, and the kind of peaceful afternoon where just being outside feels like enough.

I was playing in our Saturday morning men’s league, a great group of about 40 friends and members. Over the years, someone had the good sense to set up “hole-in-one insurance,” more of a hopeful gesture than an expectation. Nobody really thinks they’ll cash it in.

But on April 26th, 2025, somehow, it happened. I pulled an 8 iron from 158 yards, aiming for a front left pin. The shot felt solid, drifting in with a slight fade, landing short and beginning a slow, uncertain roll. My playing partners, Jeff, Jason and Kim watched it closely, but with the green partly in shadow, it was tough to tell where it finished. Jeff squinted and said, “It disappeared, I think it’s in the hole.”

I didn’t wait for confirmation. Heart pounding, I grabbed my club and sprinted toward the green, leaving Jason and the cart behind. As we approached, we counted three balls on the green, but all four of us had hit it. There was still a chance my ball had slipped off the back. Slowly, almost afraid to believe it, I edged closer to the hole, peeked in, and there it was.

I couldn’t help but let out a yell, loud enough, I’m sure, that anyone within a couple holes knew something had happened. It was a special moment, and even though it wasn’t my first, I was lucky enough to have made aces in 1987 at Lloydminster and again in 2019 at Shannon Lake, it felt every bit as thrilling and surreal as the first time.

For a 12-handicapper like me, I firmly believe that making a hole-in-one is about 1% skill, and 99% pure luck. Later, back at the clubhouse, word spread quickly. I was met with cheers, handshakes, and a lot of smiles from the guys. Thanks to that little bit of foresight (and the hole-in-one insurance fund), nobody minded too much when it came time for a round or two of celebration. It’s a day I’ll never forget, not just because of the shot, but because of all the good people who helped make it feel even more special.

First round out with my girlfriend Chas and my brother Noah, hole #4 with a 9 iron from 132 yards.

It was hole #8 and I was playing off the white tees, the wind was up a little. I think it was playing 137 yards front and the pin was two yards on. Phil Vicotto hit his 9 iron first and it ballooned on him a little because of the wind and landed just on the front fringe. I hit next and I just de-lofted my 9 iron slightly. It landed just about a yard in front of the green, one hopped about a yard from the flag and rolled the final yard straight into the hole. First one for me ever, felt great. I also played with Denis Sauve, just a threesome.

Playing partners were Alan Reston, Kevin Clark and Trevor Franken. It was 154 yards and I used a 5 hybrid rescue club.

It was 104 yards to the flag. I used 6 iron (as have to clear sand trap in front of green). Playing partners were Mary Loupret, Deb Dixon and Patsy Tait. I am 75 years young and passionate about golfing.

Hole #3 is a par 3. On Sunday, playing with husband Ron and friends Roberta and Tim, we were faced
with winds gusting to 38 km and in our face. It was an uphill shot to a front flag. Yardage on the game card is 111 yards to middle, but for me, an arthritic 72 year old, it plays to 130 yards. With the best advice ever given me, when breezy swing easy (which is a good thought on every swing), I took my 5 iron, swung through nicely. My ball was nowhere to be seen on the green, it was in the hole! I hope every golfer gets to experience a hole-in-one! It is truly rejuvenating!

At 64 years old and having golfed most of my life, had almost given up on getting a hole-in-one. The second hole at Napanee Golf & Country Club is a 176-yard, par 3 with a two-tiered green. Club was a 5 iron which carried the front of then green then released and rolled up onto the back tier, to a back left pin. My foursome was Scott Carpenter, Dale Bartlette, Paul Wilson and myself. It was truly the highlight of my golfing career.