An amateur golfer was celebrating yesterday after beating odds of 67 million to one – and hitting TWO holes-in-one on the same round.
Lucky John Blackburn, 62, stunned golfers with an ace at 183-yard fourth hole at Brookmans Park Golf Club, in Hatfield, Herts.
But minutes later lightning stuck a second time as the retired stockbroker hit his ball straight into the cup on the 141-yard sixth hole.
His miraculous shots beat odds of 67,000,000/1 – more than four times those of winning the Lottery.
John, of Potters Bar, Herts., toasted his double hole-in-one with friends at the clubhouse.
He added: ”I couldn’t believe it when the first one went in there was a bit of a celebration.
”I played the fifth and nothing special happened then I hit the sixth and it went straight in the hole again. It was a total surprise I was extremely lucky.
”I had to buy a few drinks in the club house that’s for sure.
”My reaction was elation – I was more than a little bit pleased. Everybody was pleased for me.
”I’ve never considered myself a lucky person but they say things happen in three’s so maybe I should buy a Lottery ticket.”
Bachelor John was playing an informal ‘Mid-week Hustle’ tournament with friends last Wednesday (20/10) when he scored the two aces.
The 16-handicapper used a 3-wood on the 183-yard fourth hole, and a 6-iron on the 141-yard sixth to achieve the incredible feat.
He finished with 80 shots on the par 71 course and friends have framed his scorecard as a special memento.
John has been playing the course regularly since he first picked up a set of golf clubs in 1994.
He said: ”I hit the first shot and watched it go up in the air and roll into the hole. It was a great feeling.
”I couldn’t see the hole from the tee on the sixth but knew it had gone in when I heard the cheers of players waiting on the next tee.”
Stunned fellow player Bill Belger, who witnessed the two miracle shots, said: ”One hole-in-one is strange, but when the second went in it was unbelievable.
”I’ve never seen anything like it. The odds of doing it must be more than winning the lottery.”
Golf club general manager Una Handley said the ‘absolutely amazing’ feat had caused quite a stir at the club and hadn’t been heard of in living memory at the club.
A study by Golf Digest magazine in 2000 reported the odds of such a feat are 67,000,000/1.
