Shannon Gets Hole in One
By Eric Fish

Pat Shannon has been playing golf for only three years. He has never had a lesson and is still confused by the golf term "handicap." But on Saturday, June 16, he became the first golfer of the season to score a hole in one at Wawashkamo Golf Club.

Spending the round of golf with his 24-year old son, Jim, Mr. Shannon aced the seventh hole, a 219-yard par three, en route to shooting a six-over-par 42 through nine holes.

"Darn luck," said Mr. Shannon, an attorney and director of charter schools for Bay Mills Community College. "That's all it is."

Mr. Shannon used a driver on the lengthy par three hole. He describes his shot as carrying well through the air. He then remembers seeing it bounce up on the green and roll into the cup.

"We started screaming," he said. "We were jumping up and down."

Wawashkamo Golf Club PGA Professional Fred "Fritz" George said that acing the dreaded seventh hole is no easy task.

"Its very tough," he said, "one of toughest par threes around."

The hole is so lengthy, narrow, and challenging that its normally used as the designated hole-in-one challenge during various tournaments and golf outings at Wawashkamo.

Mr. Shannon has kept the ball and the tee. He also has the memories of sharing his first hole-in-one with his son, Jim, on the eve of Fathers Day.

"It was very nice to be with Jim," he said, adding that the evening was memorable, regardless of the hole-in-one.

Mr. Shannon played another nine holes that day with his other son, 25-year-old Tom. His wife, Mary Anne, was out of town, but was still able to celebrate her husbands accomplishment.

What's next for Mr. Shannon?

"Were going for the senior tour," he joked.

Added Jim Shannon, referring to the PGA Senior Tour ace, "Tell Fuzzy Zoeller to watch out."