Hole-in-one shot earns Sioux Lookout golfer $10,000
Tim Brody - Editor
When Sioux Lookout residents Dwight Hildebrand, Jim Carroll and Knowles McGill began their round of golf at the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club on Wednesday, July 15, it seemed like just another afternoon on the links for the three friends. It turned into a day they will never forget.
Each Wednesday at the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club (SLGCC), members and non-members can buy into the Men’s Twilight competition.
“If they hit a hole-in-one on Hole Number 4, then they win a $10,000 prize, and we’re happy to present this to Dwight today (July 29),” explained SLGCC interim manager Dylan Harp.
Hildebrand, a veteran golfer, recalled that July 15 was a windy day.
“I was playing from the forward tees that day, the white tees, normally an 8-iron or a 7-iron, but it was pretty windy so I hit a 6-iron – worked out well!”
Hildebrand shared, “It looked like a good shot. I thought it was going to draw near to the trap, but as it was rolling I thought, it’s got a chance. It went in.”
He elaborated, “It was a 6-iron, so I knew I hit it well. That’s a lot of club for that hole, but there was a good wind… I walked out there – no ball. I looked in the hole and there it was.”
The hole-in-one shot was witnessed by Hildebrand’s friends Jim Carroll and Knowles McGill.
The trio regularly compete in the Men’s Twilight together.
“When he hit it, he drew it nice and the sand trap was cutting off the corner. It went around the sand trap and you could see it was tracking right towards the hole and then it disappeared. We were quite excited,” Carroll said.
“When someone hits off of the tee, you’re always commenting ‘good shot’ or ‘that’s not going to draw enough’,” McGill commented, recalling, “I said, wow! Look at the draw on that thing. It’s coming around. It’s going to go in the trap, no, it’s on the green. It’s going towards the hole!”
McGill said he vividly remembers heading down to the hole with Hildebrand, “I was holding my breath the whole way down because I was hoping it was in. We were pretty sure it was in. There was no sign of it. It wasn’t behind the pin.”
Witnessing the hole-in-one was something special McGill stated, “I had never seen one before, so I was pretty excited about it!”
The feat was even more amazing taking place during the Men’s Twilight on the prize hole, Hildebrand said.
“That was special – yeah”, Hildebrand agreed with a laugh. “We’ve always gone with the guys. We have another regular, but he’s moved away, Gib Ariano.”
Hildebrand plans to split his winnings with his friends, 60-40.
Hildebrand said the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club’s nine hole course is always a pleasure to play, “The greens are phenomenal, really good greens. Keep it out of the rough! It’s pretty thick. It’s a very challenging course. I play all winter and these are by far some of the best greens I play year-round.”