A cold, windy day at the Portage Golf Club turned unforgettable for Rob Dupont after he recorded the club’s first hole-in-one of the season Tuesday morning on the 12th hole.
Dupont, who now lives in Red Deer but grew up in Portage la Prairie, made the ace around 10:45 a.m. while golfing with a friend during what he described as less-than-ideal weather conditions.
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The shot came on the 154-yard par three using a seven iron. Dupont says he adjusted his aim because of the wind coming off Crescent Lake.
“I just stood up to the ball and thought the wind was coming off the lake. I kind of aimed a little to the lakeside of the fairway,” notes Dupont. “Just took my seven iron and lobbed up a nice high-lofted ball and it dropped in the front of the green in front of the cup, and it rolled in.”
A delayed reaction
At first, Dupont and his playing partner were not completely sure the shot had gone in.
“My friend Erin was just like, ‘that went in the hole,’ and he had to shoot, so he shot his shot,” continues Dupont.
The pair walked to the green after Erin finished his shot and quickly realized the ball had disappeared into the hole.
Rob Dupont (left) and friend Erin Bryson pose on the course at the Portage Golf Club with the ball Dupont used to record the club’s first hole-in-one of the season Tuesday morning. Photo submitted/Rob Dupont
“We went up and walked up there and sure enough it was in the hole,” remarks Dupont. “There was no real audience on the course because it was so cold.”
A couple of grounds crew workers eventually saw Dupont retrieve the ball from the cup, giving the accomplishment at least a small audience.
“It was pretty special. My friend and I hugged it out on the green,” says Dupont.
First ace in first round
The accomplishment was even more surprising considering it was Dupont’s first round of golf this season.
“That was my first round of golf this year and my first hole-in-one ever,” notes Dupont.
He says he has come close several times over the years but never managed to sink the shot until now.
Rob Dupont (right) and pal Rick Brown celebrate after Dupont’s hole-in-one at the Portage Golf Club Tuesday. Brown says the moment had extra meaning for their family, noting his son also previously recorded a hole-in-one on the same hole. Photo submitted/Rob Dupont
“I’ve had a lot of balls get about two feet, a couple inches sometimes on par threes, but never go in the hole,” adds Dupont.
The chilly conditions also required a little extra preparation before teeing off.
“I went to Walmart to buy long johns before going for the round. They were needed,” continues Dupont.
Back home in Portage
Although he now lives in Alberta, Dupont says he still returns to Portage la Prairie regularly to visit family and golf with friends.
“I moved away after I graduated high school and moved to Red Deer and have been there ever since,” remarks Dupont.
He says he only played four rounds last year but still enjoys getting out whenever work allows.
“After word got around about the hole-in-one, my buddy Rick Brown and I ended up celebrating with our moms during happy hour,” says Dupont.
After finishing the round, Dupont reported the ace at the clubhouse and received an honorary flag to mark the occasion.