Aces wild at PICC
By Kevin Sjoberg
In a period amounting to just over two months, Presque Isle Country Club has been a hotbed for holes-in-one.
In fact, during the 64-day stretch, seven aces have been scored on the course.
“I can’t remember a year we’ve had this many,” said club professional Barry Madore, who has been at PICC since 1993 and noted that six were recorded in 2009.
The last three occurred over a four-day period in mid-July. On July 17, Elton Thibodeau of Presque Isle had his second ace of the season, both taking place on the 146-yard eighth hole. Thibodeau used an eight iron on his latest hole-in-one and the shot was witnessed by Susan and Clayton Black.
On July 20, Ron Grover of Ashland used a 24-degree rescue club on the 150-yard 17th hole for his first career ace, with Bob Blanchard witnessing the shot.
The following day, it was Alexis Madore of Presque Isle, Barry’s wife, doing the honors. For her third career hole-in-one, Madore used a No. 6 hybrid to drain the tee shot on the 136-yard eighth hole. Sandra and Bruce Carter and Adam Lytch were the witnesses.
Four others were recorded in a 12-day period in May. Matthew McCarthy of Presque Isle had two in five days, Thibodeau had his first one and Matthew Madore of Manchester, N.H., the son of Barry and Alexis, picked up another for the fourth of his career.
The Madores have now combined for 10 holes-in-one during their careers, as Barry himself has three overall. “I guess it’s my turn again,” he joked. “Alexis called me from the course after she got hers and told me that she wasn’t in last place anymore (for family bragging rights).
However, he fully realizes how fortunate one has to be to pull off the golf rarity.
“Not only do you have to hit a good shot, there is lot of luck involved to get the ball to roll into the hole,” he said. “I could play the rest of my life and never get another.”
