Following 64 days of self-isolation due to the ongoing global pandemic, 82-year-old James Osmand left his home on Friday 15 May to play nine holes at Wheatlands Golf Course with his son, Wayne, not for a second thinking he would return a few hours later with a first ever hole-in-one marked on his card.
And to add further gloss, he ended the round all square with Osmand jnr – the head professional at Les Mielles Golf Club.
‘After 32 years, to get my first one … I’m very chuffed,’ said the retired painter and decorator, who struck the ace on the 167-yard third hole, with a 5-wood.
‘I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t see it go in the hole and I thought Wayne was winding me up. I was looking for the ball everywhere and it took me a while to realise. Then I had everyone on the course coming across and congratulating me.
‘It was my first time on a golf course for 64 days. I’d been isolating before that and Wayne just said “do you fancy a game at Wheatlands? There won’t be many people about.” I only took three clubs with me – a 5-wood, a 9-iron and a putter.’
He added: ‘It couldn’t have been better than having my son alongside me, and a pro at that. And we drew … it was a fabulous day.’
