On Tuesday, 14th April 2026, at Sandy Lodge Golf Club, I experienced a moment every golfer dreams about.

It happened on the 15th hole — 195 yards, playing straight into the wind. Knowing the conditions, I chose my three wood, aiming to carry the bunker on the right, trusting my usual gentle draw to bring the ball back toward the green.

The strike felt solid, but the flight was lower than expected, piercing through the wind. We watched as the ball came down just short of the green and then released forward. It rolled on… and then disappeared from view. From where we stood, it looked as though it might have run off the back.

As we walked up, unsure of where it had finished, the group ahead—who had just teed off—started shouting something in our direction. We couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. For a moment, I was concerned that one of our balls had interfered with their play. Then someone in my group said, almost in disbelief, “That might be in the hole.”

It still didn’t quite register.

But as I approached the green and looked into the cup, there it was—my ball, sitting at the bottom of the hole.

A hole in one.

My first ever. I m a casual golfer so for me this was an unbelievable shot, an unforgettable moment, and a feeling of pure exhilaration that’s hard to put into words.