Golf is a game of great stories, and yesterday, I got the one that will be with me for the rest of my life.

My Dad has been playing golf for 45 years. He's an avid player, and maintains an index around 18. In his years on the course, he's witnessed 4 holes in one, but never one of his own.

He and I entered to compete in his club's member-guest invitational, and I had been wishing for months that the tournament would be the grounds where he would get his first one. As we walked up to the tee box of the Par 3 11th, I just had a feeling that his ball was destined. Keeping the same order we had been playing all day, the other twosome with us hit first, and I stepped up to the box. After a practice swing, I stood over the ball for a quick second, and made a swing. I instantly knew it was going to be good. We all watched, and the rest of the group starts yelling, "Go! Go! GO IN! GO IN!" Sure enough, the ball took one bounce, and landed directly and unmistakably in the cup.

Although I was wishing for his first hole in one, I got mine. I have always felt that a hole in one without him there to witness it would have been a waste of a good shot.

Thanks, Pops. I wouldn't have wanted that one to be a waste.