Golf: Ace of clubs wins hearts

BEEN THERE, DONE IT: Ivan Lawson with the ball and club he used to ace his second one-shot feat at the same hole four years apart almost to the day. PHOTO/Warren Buckland

THE odds of a social hacker rattling the cup with one shot in golf is 12,500 to 1, as opposed to a tour professional who reduces it dramatically to 2500 to 1.

But when that happens, it tends to make for fascinating reading - you know, some one-armed or blind bloke acing a hole, never mind propaganda that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il did it five times in his maiden round.

Ivan Lawson achieved that feat at the humble nine-hole course at Golflands, Hastings, but he isn't going to talk it up despite having done that four years ago almost to the day.

But what makes the accomplishment of the 74-year-old member of Karamu Golf Club, based at the course, quietly endearing is what he did after the feat on Tuesday, December 6, during the veterans' nine-hole (back nine) weekly competition.

Lawson took the traditional $100 prizemoney from the club and, without second thought, gifted it to the Children's Starship Hospital in Auckland.

It's a matter really close to his heart as his grandson, Samuel Lawson, of Havelock North, has been in and out of Starship for a few years.

"He has been battling leukaemia so he's been in and out for a couple of years. He's got another couple [of years] to go for radiation treatment or chemo but he's on the mend and he's going very well," says the grandfather of the 10-year-old who attends Te Mata Primary School.

The 21 handicapper shouted the 25 nine holers who ended up at the clubhouse that day to a drink.

He had aced the No 11 par-3 165m hole - which offers an oblique approach on a slightly elevated green with orchard bouandaries on the left and behind - using "my little seven wood" and a Titleist Pro VI ball.

"It went straight towards the green, hit the front of it and kept on rolling straight into the hole," Lawson says.

Clubmates Hugh McKee, Bill Duff and Joe Morris were left marvelling at his shot.

"They all cheered and yelled and came over to shake my hand. The four behind us came and shook my hand, too."

It brought back memories of his first hole in one.

"I scored one there four years ago at the same hole in what was exactly the same shot," he says, vividly recalling taming it on December 13, 2012, using "a wee driving [a hybrid six] iron".

Well, perhaps dexterity combined with ingenuity and a gram of luck?

"Nah, I just got up there and hit the ball to the green. To me they are pure flukes. It was a good thrill," Lawson says with a laugh.

"I would say 100 per cent sheer luck," he says before clarifying: "Oh, I'd say 95 per cent luck because you've still got to hit the ball pretty straight."

It was a beautiful day, with clear skies and not a breath of wind.

"It was ideal conditions, really."

A retired resident jockey, Lawson started his career in Bulls before moving to Hastings in 1961 to ride until 1975.

He went on to become a starter at thoroughbred race meetings for the Central Districts region from 1978 until 2000 while also working as a painter/decorator.

Lawson had come precariously close, about 10cm, of sinking a hole in one at the former Flaxmere Golf Club (now HB Golf Club) not long after first playing the game in 1974.

He gave the game away for about two decades because he was more often away at race meetings.

About eight years ago he retired from all work and that's when he reignited golf.

"It keeps me away from mischief and keeps me fit."

Lawson has kept the 2012 ball, also a Titleist, which has pride of place as a mounted trophy in his lounge but the last one had a mind of its own.

"This time I just kept on playing with it and I lost it in the hedge on No 5."

If anyone has found a Titelist Pro VI in that Bermuda Triangle-like shelter belt, which acts like a partition between the par-4 No 5 hole from the zig-zag par-5 No 7, treasure it because some of that luck could rub off easily on you.