IT was a 67 million to one shot, but a Co Donegal golfer is celebrating a remarkable double after hitting two holes-in-one in the same round.
Garbhan Fullerton (30) achieved the unthinkable on Sunday during his usual weekly game in Buncrana in Inishowen.
The stonemason last night told The Irish News he is still trying to understand how it happened.
He has been playing the picturesque nine-hole course on the banks of Lough Swilly since he was a young boy and enjoys two rounds every Sunday morning
Playing alongside friend Emmet Friel and his son Aaron, he scored his first hole-in-one from the sixth tee and then a second ace at the ninth, known as The Colonel’s, on his second time round.
“I think it was a complete fluke. When the first went in, young Aaron ran up to the pole to make sure and then the second time I was just in shock,” he said.
Since his extraordinary feat, Garbhan has been the toast of the club and his home town of Buncrana with people lining up to congratulate him.
“Everyone’s talking about it. They’re asking me if I’m going for three this Sunday. It’s nice coming into Christmas,” he said.
While still in shock, Garbhan said he had the presence of mind to make sure he kept the lucky ball.
“Ah yeah, I have it all right. It’s in pride of place on the mantlepiece at home."
And the Co Donegal man, who plays off a 20 handicap, revealed that his friends have also been ragging him about the tradition of buying a round of drinks for everyone in the clubhouse after scoring a hole-in-one.
“They’re saying that because I did it twice I should be buying two rounds but, to be honest, I’d never heard of that,” he said.
Buncrana golf club spokesman Gerry McLaughlin said Garbhan’s achievement has caused great excitement and it intends marking the feat in some way in the future.
“It’s certainly created a buzz here. After playing the first nine, he came in and said he scored the hole-in-one at the sixth and then after he hit the second at the 9th (18th) hole, Aaron came running in shouting he’s done it again.”
Garbhan’s also double confirms that there is something special in the Inishowen golfing air.
In 2012, Derry solicitor Gerry McGuckian also achieved a double hole-in-one at Greencastle golf club.
