Mike Travis scored four holes-in-one after 43 years playing golf – following his first ever lesson.
The 69-year-old spent an hour with a professional at Parley Golf Centre in Dorset in 2010 and shortly afterwards holed the 146-yard 7th hole.
Just over a year later he holed the 114-yard 4th, and followed that in 2014 with the 7th again. And this Easter he nailed the 127-yard 2nd hole.
His astonishing achievement has amazed pals at the pay-and-play club who have dubbed the father-of-six ‘Lucky Mike’.
The recently-retired graphic designer, who has a handicap of 18, plays several times a week at the course in Parley near to Bournemouth Airport.
He first played golf in 1967 aged 21 but had never got near to a hole in one until he took a lesson in order to improve his game. Now he has scored more holes in one than anyone at the club.
The grandfather of 10, who lives in Tuckton, near Bournemouth, Dorset, said: “Of course you’re always trying to score a hole in one but you never expect it – it really comes down to luck.
“I was fortunate in that I saw all of mine go down the hole – some people don’t actually get to see the ball drop.
“I started playing at Parley about five years ago and it was so nice and friendly I joined as a member.
“As I wanted to get back into golf and play more often I took a lesson with Chris Brook and it must have worked because I have had four holes-in-one in five years – after more than 40 years without coming close.
He added: “When I hit the latest one I was actually hoping it didn’t go in because it’s so expensive – I have to buy everyone a drink!”
Daryl Dampney, manager at Parley Golf Centre, said: “It’s an incredible feat to get a single hole-in-one never mind four.
“We’re very pleased for Mike and delighted he plays for us.”
Mike used a 9 iron for the two 7th hole aces, a sand wedge for the 4th hole and a wedge for the 2nd. He uses Srixon soft feel balls.
