So, here's my story: I went on a trip with my son to Las Vegas that was part family visit, part business trip. We were supposed to be at an event that Monday night and learned on Sunday night that we'd have the day free, so we booked a round out at Red Rocks Arroyo Golf Course.
My son and I got paired up with a couple of guys in town to see the Raiders game that night and the round was going slowly and everyone on the course seemed anxious to finish and get back to town.
The 14th hole there is a short par 3 protected by a sand trap and the flag was behind it at back of the green that day. I hit an easy 7 iron and it flew over the trap, the ball took one quick bounce and looked like it went in - at least that's what everybody except me thought!
So, we hopped in the cart, raced up to the green (with my son's phone video recording everything) and sure enough, found my AVX ball in the cup! What an amazing feeling! And the absolute last thing I thought would ever happen that day when I first teed off!
Believe it or not, the 14th hole there is played as the 8th hole at the course - don't ask me why, so we still had a lot of golf to play and by the time we finished I was ready to enjoy the part of the hole-in-one tradition I've always imagined - walking into the clubhouse like a conquering hero and buying everyone a beer. Except there was one problem - besides the person manning the pro shop counter and the snack bar - the clubhouse was empty! No cheering bar patrons, nobody to regale with my epic hole-in-one story, just a bunch of visitors outside quickly stuffing their golf bags into rental cars and Ubers and scurrying back to their vacations. Bummer.
But I would not be deterred! I decided to throw myself a hole-in-one Happy Hour once I got back home to CT at the course bar where I grew up playing. I invited most of the folks I play golf with and friends and family and finally got to buy everyone that drink that I never got to buy in Las Vegas.
And I have a picture of the bar tab to prove it!
Thank you Titleist for being part of the tale!