Barnard Castle’s James Watson has earned himself a very exclusive place in the golfing record books by recording two holes-in-one in a single round.
James, 15, recorded the aces at the third and eighth holes in a club stableford competition played from the white tees – a feat with odds of 167million to one.
Playing partners Anthony and Tony Barker, and David Moses witnessed the incredible achievement. James, who has reduced his handicap from 18 to 11 this year, said: “I’m over the moon. I couldn’t believe it when the first one went in, never mind the second.
“I’ve been playing three times a week but will have to cut back now I’m back at school. I love the game and would really like to make a career out of it.”
James used a seven iron for his first ace at the 160-yard third hole, then hit a four iron at the 175-yard eighth hole.
“They weren’t flukes,” he added. “They didn’t take any funny bounces or anything, they just ran straight into the hole.”
There was however one downside to James’ remarkable achievement, perhaps distracted by the feat carrying him to 22 points on the front nine, he finished the competition with 31 points.
Online records suggest the feat has been achieved fewer than 10 times in the UK, with the last recorded instance at Bolton Old Links earlier this year.
