Miles Files: A 33,000-to-1 shot at Sharon Heights golf course Miles Files: A 33,000-to-1 shot at Sharon Heights golf course (May 19, 2004)

At age 12, Miles sinks his first hole-in-one.

By Miles McMullin
7th Grade, St. Joseph's School

I never really thought of a moose as my lucky animal or a 6 as my lucky number until Mother's Day 2004.

As I stepped out of the golf cart on hole No. 6 at the Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club, I looked at the score card -- 114 yards. I walked over to my golf bag and picked out my No. 3 iron. I hesitated, and put the club back. I then picked out my driver. I walked to the white tees, and waited for the people ahead of us to finish on the green.

I sat on the grass with my driver and my Pinnacle 4 ball, testing it to see how far it rolled. I rolled it on the tee-off area. Disappointed with the ball's rolling distance, I picked out my Pro-Grade 1 with a picture of a moose on it, and rolled that. I was happy with the way it rolled so I decided to use it.

As I looked down at the green that was 114 yards away, I saw that the people had cleared and it was my turn to hit. I licked my finger, put it up in the air and found that there was no wind. I yelled to my dad, asking him what time it was. I wanted to know if I had time after the 18 holes to finish my homework. The time was 3:12 p.m.

I cleared my throat, swung a practice swing, and then took another practice swing 6 inches from my ball. I stepped closer, and the sun was in my eyes. I squinted (toughing it out), raised my driver, and dropped it with an ear-shattering swoosh.

The ball flew in the air, looking like it was going 1,000 yards, but it dropped a foot short of the green. But then, it bounced once up onto the green and started rolling. The sun, at that exact moment, got so bright we could not see well, but we kept looking. The ball disappeared and the pin shook and made a cracking sound. It was too bright to see if the ball had ricocheted off the pin. The foursome behind us stuttered, "Did that, did it, did the ball go in?"

My dad sprinted down the course to see what had happened. I stood there in utter silence -- in complete shock. It seemed like 20 minutes until my dad reached the green, and when he did, he paused, and then raised his arms in celebration.

The group behind me started whooping and clapping and I was overwhelmed in disbelief. I thought it was a dream so I pinched myself really hard and blinked. But then I opened my eyes, and I was still on the sixth hole with people cheering around me. I was so excited I walked back to the golf cart and sat down. I felt sick to my stomach.

My dad came back cheering. I then felt like I was alive again and finally smiled and laughed.

My first hole in one: 3:13 p.m., May 9, 2004, hole No. 6 at Sharon Heights golf course. My dad and I will cherish this moment and never forget it for as long as we live.

We went on to play the rest of the nine holes. My dad and I were still in shock. After what seemed like an eternity, we reached the Pro-shop to share the news.

Pete Yungen, a golf professional, "high-fived" me with joy. We then later asked him how many holes in one there are per year at the club. He replied: "Sharon Heights has been in existence for 30 years and there are approximately 10 holes in one per year. In the world there are around approximately 24,000 per year. Congratulations, Miles," Pete added.

I thought WOW; I am part of the elite golfers of 24,000 holes in one. The estimated odds, according to U.S. Golf Register, are one in 33,000 for any given swing. Also according to the Register, the most holes in one achieved by one man was Norman Manly, who hit 59 of them.

I am now on a mission to beat Manly's record. I made my first "Ace" in 2004, when I was just 12 years old. Pretty exhilarating.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.