I’ve been lucky in golf. Over the years, I’ve managed three holes in one, all at Ivanhoe Golf Course in Melbourne. I still shake my head when I think about it.

The first came back on Saturday, 19 July 2014. It was a calm winter’s day on the 15th hole, about 123 metres. I pulled a wedge, hit it solid, and watched as it landed on the green, bounced forward, rolled… and dropped straight in. We all saw it go no doubt about it. That was my first ever ace, and I honestly thought it might be the only one I’d ever have.

Almost eleven years later, on Saturday, 31 May 2025, it happened again. This time on the 18th hole. The par 3 was playing short, 106 metres to the flag in near perfect conditions. The green there is raised, so you can’t see the dance floor from the tee. I hit another wedge, and we all heard it smack into the flag. We couldn’t see the finish until we made the uphill walk. My mate Gordon checked the cup, turned and yelled, “It’s in!” Sure enough, the ball was sitting in the hole. That was ace number two.

Then, unbelievably, just a week later, Saturday, 7 June 2025, I was on the 7th hole, playing 165 metres to the pin, in awful weather. Rain was coming down and the wind was up. I pulled out a 2 iron, hit it low, and saw it land on the front of the green. We watched it roll across at least 15 metres… and then it disappeared. I wasn’t 100% sure from the tee, but it looked close. Gordon, playing with me again, didn’t hesitate, he beelined straight for the hole, glanced in, and with no fuss just said, “You’ve just got your third hole in one.”

All three at Ivanhoe. The first in 2014, the next two just a week apart in 2025. And, oddly enough, every single one of them with the same ball model and number; a Titleist Pro V1 #3.

I know plenty of golfers go their whole lives without even one. To have three, and two so close together, I just feel very fortunate.