Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
INDIANAPOLIS - Wolf Run Golf Club assistant pro Derek Smith, a Syracuse native, did something July 31 twice in one round that most people can't pull off even once in a lifetime - hit a hole-in-one.
Playing with his four uncles at Wolf Run G.C., Smith aced the 134-yard No. 6 and then did the same to the No. 13, a 192-yard hole.
"It is still pretty amazing," Smith said. "To think that this could only happen to a few people in a lifetime."
The odds, according to Golf Digest, of a pro hitting an ace is 750-1.
But what about two in one round?
"I have tried to call around," Smith said. "I called the national hole-in-one association and Golf Digest and tried to get some odds on two in the same round of golf, but nobody really has anything."
Even after a month, Smith is still the buzz around the golf course and is being called everything from "king of clubs" to "ace squared."
"It is amazing to anybody who plays this golf course because it is arguably the hardest course in the state," Smith said. "Nobody can believe two in one round on this course."
The aces were Nos. 4 and 5 of his career and third of the summer, with the other coming on June 26.
Smith was golfing with his Firestone uncles, Dave, Tom, Gary and Jerry. Dave is the head pro at Erskine Golf Course (South Bend) and Tom is the athletic director at Elkhart Memorial.
The outing was part of an annual event where some of the male members of the family get together and play golf. Then at Christmas, they are asked to talk about the golf outing in front of the entire family.
Guess who will be the keynote speaker?
"It is a pretty good-sized family," Smith said. "I was kidding them and asked who was giving the speech this year. They all just laughed and said 'Who do you think?'"
Amazing as it is, Smith is the third person in the Indianapolis area to pull off this feat this summer.
"It will definitely be good conversation over Christmas dinner," Smith said.
Clevenger Collects Hole-In-One
Speaking of aces, Jon Clevenger got the first of his career. Not that his career is all that old.
Clevenger is just 11 years old.
Clevenger aced the No. 2 hole at Stonehenge Executive Course Thursday. He got the hole-in-one on the 115-yard hole with an 8-iron. Witnessing were Shane Wallen, David Huskey and Adam Huskey.
Public Golf At Stonehenge
Championship Course
For a mere $55 a round, non-members of the Stonehenge Championship Course can now enjoy one of the best courses around.
For the remainder of the season, the course will have limited openings to the general public. But call the pro shop to set up a tee time before you leave the house.
Stonehenge Executive Jr. Club Champions
Justin Howell won the boys title, while Mallory Hepler won the girls title of the Stonehenge Executive Junior Club Championships recently.
Hepler Sixth At Ping PGA Championship
Stonehenge Executive pro Denny Hepler finished in a tie for sixth place at the 1997 Indiana PGA Championship at Blackthorn Golf Club Monday and Tuesday.
Hepler shot rounds of 71, 73 and 73 to finish at 217, 1-over par. Rock Hollow (Peru) pro Todd Smith won the event going away with an 11-under, seven strokes better than second place. Smith is well on his way to his fifth Pepsi PGA Player-of-the Year title.
