Three Golfers Ace Same Hole from Same Tees on Same Day on Hilton Head Island

Having never managed a hole in one yet in my golf life. I can only imagine the lads this past week at
Palmetto Hall Golf Club (Robert Cupp Course) on Hilton Head Island were grinning ear to ear.  Having dunked 3 aces on the 8th hole from the same tees sure must of been a sweet feeling for those golfers and especially at Hilton Head Island.

Press Release

Hilton Head Golf Island Announces Three Golfers Ace Same Hole from Same Tees on Same Day
at Palmetto Hall Plantation Club’s Robert Cupp Course

(HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.) – Hilton Head Golf Island announces three golfers from different foursomes made a hole-in-one on the eighth hole from the blue tees on the same day at Palmetto Hall Plantation’s Robert Cupp Course on October 19, 2014. This is the rarest feat of its kind on record.

The odds of this remarkable occurrence are about the same as winning the Powerball. The probability of making a hole-in-one for an average player is roughly 12,500-1. The chances of two people acing the same hole on the same day from the same foursome are in the 17 million-1 range.   Add in a third person, all from different groups, hitting from the same tees and the statistics are startling.

During the Amateur Golf Tour Championship sponsored by Golfweek, Daren Green of the Raleigh-Pinehurst Tour holed out first. In the foursome immediately following Green, Jose Talamantes from the Downeast Tour stepped up to swing from the same par-three hole and also hit an ace from 130 yards. Later in the afternoon, JPGA player André Scopone also made a hole-in-one from the eighth hole.

“We generally have a hand full of hole-in-ones annually, but three in one day is unbelievable,” says Dan Moscar, General Manager of Palmetto Hall Plantation Club. “In all my years in the industry, I have never had two aces in one day, let alone three!”

A Heritage Golf Group property, Palmetto Hall Plantation Club features 36 holes of pristine golf immersed in Southern elegance and natural beauty. The Arthur Hills and Robert Cupp-designed courses challenge and reward players of all skill levels. The Club proudly features a 14,000 square foot antebellum-style Clubhouse, as well as luxurious amenities for the entire family. Palmetto Hall Plantation Club is recognized as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for its commitment to environmental quality by meeting required standards for protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, and preserving wildlife habitats.

For more information: www.heritagegolfgroup.com or www.palmettohallgolf.com

About Hilton Head Golf Island

Hilton Head Golf Island features 30 member courses on Hilton Head and Fripp Islands, as well as Bluffton, Beaufort and Jasper counties. Golf enthusiasts enjoy Hilton Head’s Southern hospitality and world-class designs sculpted by such vaunted architects as Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arthur Hills and Robert Trent Jones.

Its territory encompasses many of the great golf courses and resorts of North America and is ranked top 10 in seven categories by Golf Digest including “Best Buddies Trip Destination,” “Best Accommodations,” “Best Couples Trip,” “Best Courses,” “Best Food and Drink,” “Best Weather” and “Best Value.”  Home to the world-renowned Sea Pines Resort, the PGA TOUR makes its only South Carolina stop each April at Harbour Town Golf Links for the RBC Heritage.

The Lowcountry Golf Course Owners Association, in conjunction with the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Visitor and Conventions Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, launched Hilton Head Golf Island to support the island’s thriving golf market through promotion of golf rounds and packages.

For more information: www.HiltonHeadGolfIsland.com, 800.523.3373.

About Heritage Golf Group

Heritage Golf Group, established in 1999, is a leading owner and operator of premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties across the United States. The Heritage portfolio represents some of the most well-known and acclaimed golf properties spanning South Carolina, Florida and Texas. The company, led by Managing Partners Bob Husband and Davis Sezna, distinguishes itself through its dedication to “Unrivaled Golf and Uncompromising Service” with over 150 years of collective experience as business professionals and golfers.

A Tip for Betting on the Masters

The Masters might be a few months away, but the bookies are already tipping Rory McIlroy for the title. According to experts at Unibet, McIlroy is the 9/2 favourite for the 2015 tournament, which means if you visited the site's iPad betting app with £10 and lumped it on the Irishman, you'd make a £45 profit.

Of course, just because he's the bookies favourite, it doesn't necessarily mean Mr. McIlroy will run away with the title, but he recently told the BBC that he's ready for the pressure. Noting that his prediction for two major titles in 2014 was spookily true, McIlroy said that his consistency this year has been his biggest achievement.

Augusta will be another chance for the young pro to complete the Grand Slam, but he isn't afraid of the hype. In fact, he's positively ready to "embrace" the pressure and scrutiny he'll inevitably come in for when one of the game's top events gets underway.

Looking Past Rory

Aside from McIlroy, Unibet's iPad betting app has Tiger Woods as the second favourite at 11/1 and Adam Scott a touch outside that at 14/1. Obviously, there will be a number of factors that could affect the betting before the April event gets underway, but so far the odds makers are having a hard time seeing beyond the aforementioned pros.

In fact, such has been the current form of McIlroy et al, that last year's Masters champion, Bubba Watson, is currently struggling to achieve a price better than 20/1 via Unibet's iPad betting app. Despite entering the fold as the defending champion, those with an eye on the market currently don't believe the American's form will be good enough to win him a second title in two years.

Does this mean you should discount Watson and lump your money on McIlroy right now? Probably not. As the competition draws closer the odds are likely to change and while McIlroy might remain the overall favourite, it's likely his odds will drift slightly as the chasing pack's prices shift.

Smuggler's Glen Golf Course Review

What better way to recharge the batteries then a little overnight golf trip to Glen House Resort to finally play Smuggler's Glen Golf Course. Located  just off the 1000 Islands Parkway near Gananoque, Ontario. Smuggler's Glen was the perfect place to get away, relax and play some golf.

We arrived later on Friday and checked in to our upper level room in the Pinewoods Lodge. Beautiful, rustic riverfront view with all the amenities(propane fireplace was a nice touch). You couldn't ask for a nicer place to stay before tackling a round a Smuggler's Glen.

 "The Gorge"

That night we ate at the Smuggler's Lounge where we were entertained by the three piece band, Black Rapids Gold. Lou the bartender/server was the perfect host at the Smuggler's Lounge where we dined on some great appetizers(calamari, bruschetta and wings). The 40 Creek BBQ wings and Triple Bogey beer were my favorites. My wife definitely love all the appetizers as well as her Mike Weir Chardonnay.

Smuggler's Glen Golf Course Review
After getting a drive up to the clubhouse I was greeted by Ben, one of the many friendly and helpful staff on hand at Smuggler's Glen. Having the first tee time of the day, I decided to hit a few balls to get warmed up. The newly expanded practice green and natural grass driving range was ideal for getting the kinks out of my swing. Smuggler's Glen has a new fleet of GPS-equipped golf cart and this was also very helpful having never played the course before.

The opening hole at Smuggler's Glen is a very scenic and intimidating par 5. Not long from the white tees at 433 yards your tee shot has to clear "The Gorge". You don't have to hit driver here off the tee but it is fun to try.

You get to take a little breathe on #2 a nice uphill par three aptly name "Upper Ridge". You don't want to be long and right on this hole. The next two holes reminded me of playing golf in the Muskoka area with some great elevation changes, exposed rock and scenery to boot.  The 4th hole being a stunner of a par 5. Playing your second shot up to the narrow fairway takes gut. Green is narrow and tough to hit when the wind swirls.

 "Settler's Field"

The greens and fairways are bent grass at Smuggler's Glen and they were in top condition even so late in the season. The day I played carts were car paths only because of all the rain that had fallen in the area. Talking to Jason Boyce, Director of Golf at Smuggler's he and his staff are continuing to work on drainage issues a battle for most golf courses.

The 6th hole just didn't fit my eye and I found it to be a tough tee shot on this longish par 4. Although there's plenty of landing area from the tee the "Wild Creek" is intimidating. Smuggler's Glen's par 5s are all scenic and solid including number 7 "Rolling Meadows" with out of bounds on the left side this par 5 will test all facets of your game. "River View" finishes off the front with a tight driving hole. Be careful on this par 4 as you don't want to go long.

 "Bio Challenge"

The back 9 at Smuggler's Glen I really enjoyed because it was a great mix of fun par 3s with drivable par 4s and stout par 5s. The downhill par 3 tenth is just a fun hole. Trying to figure out which club will get you there in the ever present wind might drive you crazy but in the end you'll enjoy. The "Gambler" is just a fun grip it and rip hole where I managed to just be short of the green on this uphill par 4. The "Rock" again hearkens me back to Muskoka with rock outcroppings and elevation to frame one of the prettiest tee shots on the course. Sixteen through eighteen does the same with "Shorty" a birdie hole to the 18th "Green Monster" a mammoth par 5 where it's a bad thing to lay up.

"Bull's-Eye"

 "The Gambler"

Smuggler's Glen was a challenging yet fair golf course. Scenery is spectacular especially in the Fall. With 5 different sets of tee boxes it will be fun for all levels of golfers. Green fees are very reasonable and vary according to time of the year you play. With a healthy membership of just under 100 golfers and thousands of resort guests playing Smuggler's Glen every year. Smuggler's will continue to excite and challenge golfers for many years to come. (2015 will be Smugglers' 10th Anniversary)

 "The Gambler"

"The Rock"

Cobble Beach Offers Fall Golf Play-and-Stays

The 18^th Hole at Cobble Beach, Fall Foliage

Looking for more Fall Golf Getaways look no further then Cobble Beach on the shores of beautiful Georgian Bay. An area I get to every year and will definitely be putting Cobble Beach on my must play list. 

Cobble Beach, the 600-acre golf resort community on Ontario’s stunning Georgian Bay, is offering play-and-stay packages through October and into November until the course closes for the season.

Located just over two hours north of the Greater Toronto Area, Cobble Beach features a thrilling, links-style Doug Carrick-designed golf course with views of the bay from all 18 holes. Accommodations include The Inn at Cobble Beach -- 10 tastefully-appointed guest suites above the clubhouse – and The Cottages at Cobble Beach, each featuring two bedrooms and wet bars / living rooms.

Inn packages start at $135 per golfer, for a one night stay and round of golf; Cottage packages start at $144 (based on quad occupancy, taxes not included). Two-night, two round packages are also available. Cobble Beach’s signature, Nantucket-style clubhouse houses a fully-equipped golf shop, Sweetwater Restaurant & Bar, resort-caliber spa and fitness center.