Hole-in-one for Darren White

“It’s taken a lot of shots to get to, that’s for sure. I only get to practice on Saturday mornings with a few friends,” White said.

“We lost sight of the ball when I hit it. We knew it was on track, on the scrape, but we couldn’t see the ball go in the hole. It wasn’t until we got up there when we saw the ball mark on the sand we all saw that the ball was in the hole.

“I’ve had a couple of eagles in my life, to be exact, but no albatrosses.”

White’s name will join 19 others on the hole-in-one board.

“I never expected anything to happen in the morning before coming to the golf course. Whether we have a good or bad day, we enjoy a round of golf and a beer afterwards,” he said.

“While Rochester Golf Club is our main one, we also play at Yarrawonga, Tocumwal, Rich River and Cobram, a great day out from work.”

One man who isn’t surprised by the hole-in-one is club president Leigh Hicks, who, along with the committee, works tirelessly to provide a fantastic golf course for the many members.

“To get a hole-in-one takes a bit of skill, luck and patience,” Hicks said.

“We are all very happy for ‘Whitey’. He’s a great bloke and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.”

The club also has a new professional golfer who provides coaches and newbies with a friendly, positive atmosphere to the game.

“Ben Patton, a professional golfer, was once based out of Rich River. He now works here. Ben provides coaching for amateurs interested in learning how to be a great golfer,” Hicks said.

“Next year our junior golfing program will start again.

“Just look at the beauty of this place. On a Saturday evening we’ll have 25 to 30 people. After all the rounds are finished, everyone will pile into the bar and have a drink with lots of banter. No-one leaves, they all stay.

“As a volunteer club, we all work together to ensure a positive atmosphere.”

If you want to take up a new hobby, start learning the golf fundamentals.

For more information, visit https://www.rochestergolfclub.com.au/