Beginner’s luck
By Lachlan Ellis
A hole in one is a rare feat for even avid golfers, but a beginner has made the achievement right after completing a beginner’s program.
Renee Burns had just taken part in the Get Into Golf Beginners Program at the Bacchus Marsh Golf Club, when her ball rolled into the Par 3 third hole.
Ms Burns said she was over the moon when she made the perfect shot.
“I hit the hole in one on a day of mentoring with Claire…surprised would be an understatement when I hit the hole in one, I never thought I could or would. To be honest I was just there to practise what I had learnt from the clinic, I never thought I’d land a hole in one,” she told the Moorabool News.
“Claire guided me through the hit, where the best spot to aim is, how much strength to use in my swing, and then I did as I was told, and it went in. I was having a hit with Patrice and Claire and all three of us jumped and yelled and celebrated like crazy, we high fived, hugged and jumped around everywhere. We got pretty loud with excitement.”
Community instructor Claire Sutherland said the achievement was a rare one indeed, especially for someone new to golf.
“Renee and her fellow golfers were so excited at the feat that they screamed and hugged each other before heading down to the green to pick up the ball. Many members of the golf club have never achieved a hole in one and are very proud of Renee and her feat,” Ms Sutherland said.
“I am not aware of any other beginner that has achieved this at Bacchus Marsh – or anywhere. So it is an amazing feat, and many golfers will never achieve this in their lifetime.”
And while being a mum means Ms Burns has little free time, she said she plans to continue with her golf.
“I guess the next step is to keep learning and practising as much as I can. I have a 6-month-old Lexi and a 4-year-old boy Caleb, so finding time for myself is hard with just myself and husband Paul who works six days a week. I’ll attend as many 5 for $5 sessions as I can, and hopefully get around to complete my 3 sets of 18 holes to gain my handicap. Then try my luck in competition with some of the lovely ladies of Bacchus Marsh Golf Club,” she said.
“If there is anyone out there looking to do something for themselves or learn a new skill, keep an eye out for a clinic at the Club and get involved. I’ve found a new skill I wasn’t sure I had and met so many great ladies.”
While Golf Australia doesn’t keep records of hole in ones, a Golf Australia spokesperson said Ms Burns’ hole in one was exciting news.
“Hole in ones are quite rare in golf but it’s quite amazing to think that a Get Into Golf participant in her earliest stages as a golfer would manage that feat. It’s something that none of us has ever heard of happening before,” the spokesperson said.
“Let’s hope it inspires a few more people to pick up the great game of golf, which is fun and for everyone.”