Hole in one from perfect swing

After nearly 40 years of golfing, Hawkestone club member Pam Charlesworth still loves nothing better than that perfect swing.

And she achieved it for the sixth time in her playing career on Thursday with a hole in one at the Wanganui District Senior Golf Association's tournament on the Rangitira club course.

The golden swing made the second hole in one in the space of three weeks for a Hawkestone member, after Joy Stantiall achieved the magic shot during a medal and putting round at the end of March.

However, unlike Stantiall who did not see the ball go in on the drop hole, Charlesworth had no doubts.

"Mine was pretty I saw it happen all the way.

"This is the most perfect shot I've ever had it did everything right from the time it left the club."

Her aim was true because as intended, the shot went to the side and jumped going into the cup.

She had chosen an 8 iron for the par 3, 102m 8th hole at Rangitira.

"It was just the conditions and every hole has its own club to choose from."

Having started the sport in her 30s in 1976, the 77-year-old says she still gets "a little tingle" from making the perfect shot. She has also known how the simplest variations can make such a difference - as two of her six hole-in-ones were just "rank shots".

One in Taranaki was a freak drive that hit an on-course object and went to the hole, while another was a lucky drive that rolled back down the hill the right way.

Moving around for work, she started with the Kaitake Golf Club before moving to the Feilding club, having played with Hawkestone for the past five to six years.

"I've yet to do it on my own course," Charlesworth said. "Even as many years as I've been playing, it just gives you a little thrill."

She has played in Wanganui District Senior Golf Association tournaments for the past three seasons - in previous incarnations it was a men's only event until the numbers started to decline.

The Hawkestone club is making a presentation to Stantiall today for making the hole in one on their course, which has now turned into something of a double celebration.