Crowning glory for Inverness golfer at Kings
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HIS friend and playing partner happened to mention he had never seen one – and Eric Barron duly delivered.
The retired nurse from Inverness will go down in the history-books as the first golfer to record a hole-in-one at the city’s new Kings Golf Club.
Barron, who plays off a seven handicap, had managed five aces in four decades of golfing endeavour, but none quite as special as his six-iron on the 170-yard 16th hole.
Known as ‘The Leap of Faith’, the hole’s name could hardly have been more appropriate.
“It was a quite terrific feeling,” the 64-year-old admitted.
“I was playing with a couple of friends and one of them, Simon Dearing, has just taken up golf.
“We were standing on the tee of the first par three and Simon asked me if I’d ever had a hole-in-one before. I told him I was lucky enough to have five.
“He said he’d never seen one and I said I’d show him one now! But of course, I didn’t get one at that par three.
“But at the last par three, after telling him this was my last chance, lo-and-behold I saw my six iron shot bounce into the hole.
“It was quite exciting – we were all quite elated.
“Three friends were playing in front of us, so I quickly sent them a text and we all had a wee celebration back at the clubhouse.
“It cost me a few bob, but I didn’t mind! I feel very fortunate.”
Four of his past aces came at the old Torvean course, while one was recorded at Castle Stuart. But to him this was far and away the most significant.
Whatever else he achieves, it made for a little bit of history at the course opened in July and designed by Scottish golf architect Stuart Rennie.
“I’ve over the moon about that – it’s just fantastic.
“Being the first to do it at the new course makes it even more special.”
