Lightning Strikes Twice

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By Rick V., Team Titleist Staff

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  • 39 Replies
  1. Team Titleist Staff

    We’d like to congratulate Team Titleist member Merritt Zahner (Merritt Z on the boards) of Essex, CT, who achieved something on June 16th that not even the most gifted golf savant could dream of.

    Playing at Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam, CT, Merritt defied astronomical odds, recording two holes-in-one in a single round.

    Merritt’s first ace (and the first ace of his career) came at the downhill, 155-yard 8th hole. Selecting a 9-iron (712 AP2), Merritt flushed the shot. His Pro V1x (#2 play number) landed six inches from the cup, took one hop and disappeared.

    At the 170-yard 11th hole, Merritt flew his tee shot past that day’s front pin location, taking advantage of the green’s natural backstop. His ball (the same #2 Pro V1x) spun back from the slope and crept like a putt towards the hole. It came to rest six inches from the cup, leaving him a tap-in for birdie. Very good, exceptional even, but not perfect.

    Perfect would have to wait until the group reached the 165-yard 14th hole, which was playing downwind. Pulling his AP2 9-iron again (and the same #2 Pro V1x golf ball!), Merritt replicated his effort on No. 8, a towering shot that landed six inches from the hole (are you noticing a pattern?) and one-hopping into the realm of golf lore.

    Almost one week after his amazing day, we touched base with Merritt to ask a few quick questions:

    Team Titleist (TT): A week later, are you still on Cloud 9?

    Merritt Zahner (MZ): Yes still in shock. So many people have reached out with congratulations. It's crazy. I was back up at the club yesterday and people were bowing. Unbelievable.

    TT: You used the same ball, a #2 Pro V1x on both aces. Are you insane? How did you not stow it away after the first hole-in-one?

    MZ: Yeah, same ball. I put it back in my bag and almost used it again yesterday, but I did think better of it.  I have it and will find something special for it.

    TT: We know it’s your favorite now, but was your 9-iron your favorite club before the holes-in-one?

    MZ: No, my 7-iron is my go-to.

    TT: How big was the bar tab?

    MZ: $950. Worth it.

    TT: Are you satisfied with the two holes-in-one or will that close call at No. 11 eat at you as long as you live?

    MZ: It is so incredible to have one never mind two. I could not image three.  I’m hardly deserving of such a feat. I cannot even imagine.

    TT: After the second ace, did you entertain any thoughts of breaking Kim Jong Il's single round scoring record of 38-under-par 34?

    MZ: Someone in the group did bring up his name after the second one, so that is funny you mentioned his name. I did not want to break his record and risk death.  I’m okay with my score as is!

    Thanks very much for sharing your great story with us, Merritt and congratulations from everyone at Team Titleist!
     
    For more details on Merritt’s miracle round, check out this great article on the Fox Hopyard website.

  2. Dale V

    Dale V
    Surprise AZ

    So cool. Thanks for sharing Rick and congrats to Merritt!
  3. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Just amazing, I take my cap off to you and clap in admiration
  4. The303

    The303
    Colorado

    Did you have to buy 2 rounds of drinks?
  5. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Whoa - $950. That would have been my last ace - my wife would have suggested hocking the clubs to pay the tab. But what a great story. Never got closer than a foot, so I'd not think twice about the third.
  6. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    Wow!
    Congrats, Merritt!
    Amazing!
    Thanks for sharing this great story with us, Rick!
    #TeamTitleist
  7. Steve S

    Steve S
    Tuckerton, NJ

    Wow, great post Rick V. Many congrats Merritt. Well done indeed!
    Play Well,
    Steve S.
  8. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Congratulations, Matt! Fox Hopyard is a great course, I played it last summer and enjoyed it.

    TH
  9. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military
    How awesome this that! Congrats Merritt!!!
  10. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Great story and congrats Merritt a thrill of a lifetime.
  11. Incredible story, and huge congratulations to Merritt. Not only two holes in one, but with the same ball. Wow!
  12. Dwayne N

    Dwayne N
    Island, KY

    Thanks awesome, Thanks for sharing and congrats Merritt.
  13. Speedy

    Speedy
    East Coast, NH

    Congrats Merritt!!! And this had me rolling, "After the second ace, did you entertain any thoughts of breaking Kim Jong Il's single round scoring record of 38-under-par 34?" So good.... HAHAHA!
  14. Joshua B

    Joshua B
    Connecticut

    Fox is a beautiful piece of property...did you use the surf boards there? Congrats...this read was the stuff of legends! Also, start a go fund me page...$950 is steep
  15. Brian D

    Brian D
    Norton, MA

    That is such an incredible story. So glad that not only was it a Titleist ball that scored two aces, but a Team Titleist member as well.

    Good things happen to those who choose Titleist.

    Congrats, and I hope you have opened the jar and have many more in the future.

    Enjoy the summer
    -Brian
  16. That's amazing! Thanks for sharing the story. That is one of the dreams we all have as golfers.
  17. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Fantastic Merritt! Sounds like you were locked on.

    Now I see I have been doing it all wrong on par 3s. I always aim for an area of the green and hope I get it close. You actually aim for the pin and DO get it close....and in! I'm going to have to try your way. It seems to work a lot better.
  18. Rob R

    Rob R
    Chicago, IL

    That is an amazing story. Congratulations Merritt.
  19. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    What an amazing day that was... Congratulations! Wow...
  20. Steve H

    Steve H
    Jesup, IA

    WOW! Congrats
  21. Congratulations Merritt, I had a similar day last November with a ProV1x #1. I had two hole in ones on the same hole playing 27 holes. These were my first also and continued to play the same ball and lost it on the 27th hole. I wish I would have saved that ball.
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