There were two Hole-in-Ones, two Williams, two different holes, yet only one winner. Bill Barreda and Will Miller both scored aces, Barreda did it on hole #15 while Miller did it on hole #13. Miller, a first year member of the ASGA, used a lob wedge to score his HIO on the 96-yard hole. Miller's playing partners, Victor Wallace, Charles Organ, and HIO chairman, Shawn Higgins, witnessed the event and then realized that Miller was not a member of the Hole-in-One club. Higgins and Miller admited that they had discussed the $5 entry fee but never made it a real transaction.
Barreda, on the other hand, was a member. He had paid his $5 fee but waited until the 100-yard, 15th hole to claim his ace. Barreda punched an eight iron to within a few feet and it rolled in giving him the HIO pot, approximately $250. The shot was witnessed by his playing companions, Laird Fowler, Andrew Allen, and Keith Scully.
Barreda was very expressive when asked about his shot. "I had them look into the hole to confirm that my ball was at rest within the hole and below the level of the lip of the hole. My thoughts were that nature smiled on me. The rain stopped just as I got to the tee. The grass on the green was right. The slope of the green was right. My Titleist flew nicely and rolled gently in to the hole. I thought of Golf in the Kingdom and was happy. Then I bought everyone beer and Fritos."
Now that the HIO pot is empty it is time for everyone to sign up if they are interested in making a lot of money with one swing of their club. Shawn Higgins will be setting up a sign-up at the next tournament at Morris Williams on Tuesday and following tournaments. The entry fee is still $5 and will guarantee that if you do make a hole-in-one, you will be highlighted in this blog. For those not willing to post the fee, be prepared to have that sinking feeling that comes on after the initial happy reaction to your perfect swing.
