Hole-in-one in first game (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hole-in-one in first game

1:14pm Monday 26th November 2007

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WHEN rookie golfer Anne-Marie Saunders put her skills to the test with a round of nine-holes, her main concern was which club to take for her very first tee-shot.

She also hoped for a good connection so not to embarrass herself.

But after connecting well, amazed Anne and her fellow players, watch on in disbelief as the ball flew straight in for a hole-in-one.

It was Anne's first shot on a golf course and one she will never forget. It has also got most of the members at Redbourn golf course talking.

Anne-Marie has enjoyed six months of weekly lessons with a group of friends at West Herts Golf Club in Watford.

"Take that - the Divine Nine," suggested the group's tutor and mentor, West Herts professional, Charles Gough, who had agreed to supervise "proper play" on the girls' first ever game.

"Oh, and give it a good whack," he added, having watched the first four of the group tackling the 117 yard par three on a freezing cold and windy day.

Anne-Marie did just that and watched the ball, straight as a die, hit the front of the green, followed by Charles, who shouted "hole-in-one", having watched the little white ball disappear to the foot of the flag.

It is hard to say who was more excited, the golfer or her mentor.

Charlie, who was probably more aware of the odds against, said: "Just amazing. It was Anne-Marie's very first hit, on the first hole of her very first game of golf. It could be a record."

Anne-Marie, 44, who had borrowed her 15-year-old son Daniel's clubs for her first game said: "It felt as if I had won the Lottery - but from there it was downhill all the way. I suppose I was too excited."

She finished her round on the par three nine-hole course in 47.

So it's back to lessons with the rest of the Costa Divas, six mums, she met on the school run, who used to meet in Costa Coffee and decided to swing into action on the golf course together with "themed" shirts - and meeting up for coffee and chat before their lessons.

And Father Christmas will no doubt be made aware that the only acceptable present to drop down the chimney of a certain house in Cottage Close, Watford, is a set of golf clubs.

• Are you a keen golfer? Have you ever hit a hole-in-one? Tell us below.

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