McCarthy pulls off golf rarity twice
Sports Reporter
PRESQUE ISLE – Barry Madore said nobody had ever had two holes-in-one at Presque Isle Country Club in the same calendar year during his tenure as club professional, which began in 1993.
Well, “there is a first time for everything,” explained Matthew McCarthy, who turned in the feat by hitting one on May 18 and another just five days later.
The 21-year-old University of Maine at Presque Isle student and employee at Big Cheese Pizza was golfing with his father, Scott Cray, Sr., along with Jim Humphrey and Jon Humphrey, when he hit an eight iron on the 146-yard eighth hole and the ball landed on the green and rolled into the hole.
“That first one was really special because it was on my Dad’s birthday,” McCarthy said, “plus we were able to see that one. It hit the green, bounced once, and we all knew it was going to be close.”
Also witnessing the shot was PICC employee Chris Coffin, who was standing by the green when the ball hit the pin, sat on the lip and then dropped into the cup.
On hole No. 16 five days later, McCarthy recorded his second ace using a 52-degree wedge. Once again, his father and Jim Humphrey were his playing partners, with Jason White completing the foursome this time. Madore was on the course and got to witness that one on the 114-yard hole.
“That one was interesting because Barry has been working with me on my swing for the past year, and he’s always nit-picking at me on the course,” McCarthy said with a smile.
“I was shocked … it was hard to fathom,” McCarthy said of the second ace. “Days later I was still thinking about it … you really can’t comprehend it because it is so rare.”
His second hole-in-one also coincided with McCarthy’s best-ever round of 79. “It’s been a pretty magical year,” he said.
McCarthy, who said he plays every day during the summer and now carries a 13 handicap, took up the sport just four years ago.
“I talk to these guys all the time who have been playing out here for 30 years or so and have never gotten one,” he said, “so it’s pretty amazing.”
Two other aces have also been recorded at PICC this spring. On May 20, Elton Thibodeau had his first-ever hole-in-one on the eighth hole. He used a six iron and the shot was witnessed by Elbridge Judkins, Tom Martin and Dick Maynard.
Also, Matthew Madore, a Presque Isle native now residing in Manchester, N.H., and the son of Barry and Alexis Madore, nabbed his fourth career ace on the 16th hole on May 30, using a sand wedge. Dan Hotham, Rick Collins and Phil Pelletier were the witnesses.
Staff photo/Kevin Sjoberg
MATTHEW MCCARTHY of Presque Isle had quite the week recently, scoring a pair of aces in a five-day period at Presque Isle Country Club.
