Marton player aces hole-in-one after giving the game away

Photo/File

For a woman who gave the game away around five years ago because it was frustrating her so much, it's safe to say Marton's Edith Leary made the right call to get back in the swing of things.

The 57-year-old Rangitikei Golf Club member had already had an excellent three days of play by the time the Wanganui District Senior's 4-course classic reached the Castlecliff course on Friday, but Leary bettered that with that 1-12,500 swing to sink a hole in one on the 4th hole a par 4, 120m from the Ladies Tee.

"That hole, it had had the 'Closest to the Pin' for the men and the ladies that day," Leary recalled as she took out her Hybrid No3 club from the bag.

"It didn't drop straight away. Whether it was resting on the flag and then the breeze moved it, I don't know."

The delighted Leary rang her husband and then her sister when she got back to the clubhouse. Her sibling also achieved a hole-in-one during her playing days. She lent Leary a driver and some clubs when she decided to give the game another go.

Heading into Friday's round, Leary had thought about changing the old ball she had been using but told her playing partners she was sticking with the good luck it had brought her.

Leary's hot form in the tournament continued.

She won the women's division by 12 Stableford points, having had the best score of the day three times, and was Closest to the Pin on Friday to go with her Hole in One.

However, she had to temper her celebrations that afternoon.

"I had to drive home so I only had one drink."

Turn to Page 31 to read about Nick Gillespie's thrilling playoff win in the Pin High/Craigs Wanganui Pro-Am on Saturday afternoon.