Double the aces, double the fun Golfing buddies accomplish feat on same hole just minutes apart
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Barely a week goes by that somebody doesn't score a hole-inone on a Bella Vista golf course.
But it's a rare occasion indeed when two aces are made, on the same hole, on the same day, just minutes apart.
That's exactly what occurred Sept. 30 when golfing partners and fast friends Mike Erixon and Don Dragland played their regular round at Scotsdale Golf Course. The men participate in the Oh No's golf group.
The aces came on hole No. 4, a 135-yard par-3.
The first eagle was by Dragland.
"It was an absolutely perfect shot," he said of his effort with an 8-iron. "I saw it and said, ' Man alive, it's going right at (the hole ). ."
Dragland said his Taylor Made ball hit about 6 feet in front of the cup and rolled right in.
Little did he know that within minutes of his ace, his first in 54 years of playing the game, Erixon would sink one, as well. It was Erixon's first ace in a half century of golfing.
The men estimate it was about 10-12 minutes later that Erixon stepped onto the tee box with a 6-iron. Like Dragland, Erixon knew after he hit his Srixon ball that it was a good shot.
"The only difference was mine landed closer to the hole and then rolled right in," Erixon said.
It wasn't until the 12 th hole that the men began to learn of their unusual experience.
"I heard it from a mutual friend," Erixon said.
Word of the event had spread by the time play ended, and somebody suggested a celebration.
Dragland said fellow golfer Dennis Redenius jumped in his vehicle and drove to Macadoodles, just across the Missouri state line, for some "adult refreshments."
Even though their aces came nearly a week ago, both men are still reliving the excitement.
"It was fun," Erixon said.
"I think it's kind of neat it happened that way," Dragland said. "I never thought I'd get one."
Erixon was a bit more optimistic. He knew it would probably happen some day, but, as he said, "These things seem to come when you least expect them."
As for the balls the men used, Erixon has ordered a plaque to display his. Dragland is considering one.
"My wife thinks I should," he said.
Dragland's ace was witnessed by fellow golfers John Clark and Gale Harder.
Erixon's witnesses were Don Ridgeway, Mark Maki and Terry Whitmore.
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