Remarkable golfing double

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 46

Remarkable golfing double

NZPA-AAP Adelaide Bryce Rankine and his wife, Ellaine, have shot their way into golfing folklore with a unique hole-in-one double. They achieved the unbelievable during an amateur competition at the Mount Osmond Golf Club in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday. Dr Rankine, aged 61, and Mrs Rankine, aged 58, were partnering each other in a mixed Canadian foursomes event when they both aced the 164-metre par three

second hole. “The hole is a bit elevated so we could not understand why people waiting at the green were getting so excited,” said Dr Rankine, a retired micro-biologist. “I hit off first and the ball disappeared up on to the green, and the people ahead of us starting waving their arms. “I thought I must have gone near to the pin, but then my wife hit a similar ball, a better struck shot, and again they started jumping up and

down. “When we reached the green we found that both balls had holed out in one. “The chances of hitting a hole-in-one are pretty remote, but for a husband and wife to do it on the same hole, at the same time, must be unique.” In fact, officials at the club believe the doubleact is a world first and intend contacting the Guinness Book of Records. The club was so im-

pressed it provided free champagne for everyone involved in the competition.

“We all ended up in a very happy frame of mind,” said Dr Rankine, who has hit one other hoie-in-one —15 years ago. “Our only regret is that neither of us could see the balls drop into the hole.”

Dr Rankine took up golf as a child and plays off a 20 handicap while Mrs Rankine has been playing for about 15 years and plays off 24.