My name is Jim Bray and this is the story of my (second) Hole-in-One. In physics, the term "observer effect" refers to changes that the act of observation will make on a phenomenon being observed. This is often the result of instruments that, by necessity, alter the state of what they measure in some manner. For example, the pressure- good or bad- that simply knowing you are being watched can have on a tee shot. The Lakes at El Segundo is a popular and charming, if small, Par 3 golf course in Los Angeles California. On December 17th, 2016 I had decided to walk the course alone and treat it as a practice round. I had no idea that the golf gods would bestow upon me an early christmas gift as reward for my diligent efforts to improve my game. The first hole was a serviceable par and I walked away pleased to start on a good note. The foursome in front of me was lagging on their pace of play responsibilities and I was forced to wait behind them on the tee box while the single player behind me advanced his way to the green. By the time the group ahead of me was ready to place the flagstick back in the cup, I was no longer alone in my pursuit of elusive greatness. Back pressure or new playing partner? I decided to invite the young man to join me and we exchanged names (his was Cory. Mine's still Jim) and shared the intimate details of our respective pars on the first hole. He was new to the sport and had only been playing for a few months. Having only 5 years experience I had thought I was a rookie until Cory made me feel like a veteran tour pro. "What are you gonna hit" inquired Cory. "Well, it's 108 yards so I think I'll try to not overhit my pitching wedge and hopefully leave myself a birdie opportunity." "Right," he agreed but I got the sense he would have signed off on any strategy another more experienced player put forth. Maybe it was golf gods intervening. Perhaps it was always going to be a perfect shot but, I like to think that Cory walking up, where there would have been no witness before, and deferring to me, gave me the confidence to swing my best swing. One hop, a foot before the cup and the ball was swallowed up like water in the desert. I turned to him trying to suppress my elation and not-so-calmly said, "YOU SAW IT! SAY THAT YOU SAW IT! THERE HAS TO BE A WITNESS!" "Oh my GOD! Are you Pro?" exclaimed Cory, in disbelief. "Until the next tee box I am." I didn't birdie many holes that day on the remaining seven greens. I even bogeyed a few but for about an hour, because there was a witness, and because it was that particular witness, I was the untouchable master of my craft. King of the hill, if only for a minute. The clubhouse was nearly empty but I would've gladly paid for many more "customary drinks" just to hear my witness trumpet in amazement, the astounding feat of a "pro golfer."