The 1932 United States amateur golf champion, and Canadian legend, Charles Ross “Sandy” Somerville, became the first golfer to score a hole-in-one at Augusta National golf club, which he did during the second day of the first masters invitation tournament on the 145-yard, par 3, seventh hole (now the 16th, after the nines were reversed).
“Somerville used a niblick. The ball hit in front and bounced into the cup.” (A niblick is like the modern 9 iron, or wedge) – NYT March 24, 1934
Somerville, who was a six-time Canadian amateur champion from London, Ontario, was not otherwise having a stellar day, as his front nine 39 became a 78 by the end of it.
Earlier in the week, “Sandy” was paired with Bobby Jones in the two ball foursomes. The duo scored 76 and were not in contention. The 1934 “masters” was the first, and was Jones’ return to competition since he had retired after winning 3 1/2 legs of the so-called “grand slam” in 1930.
More on “Silent Sandy” at London Ontario golf.
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