While golfers aged up to 103 have achieved the incredible feat of hitting holes-in-one, have you ever heard of someone accomplishing this remarkable milestone with just one arm? Recently, an inspiring Irish golfer celebrated his first-ever hole-in-one after taking up the sport following an accident that left him with only one arm.
Patrick Duke, a physically-challenged golfer, is joyfully sharing the news of his first hole-in-one, a testament to his resilience and determination. Against odds of 100,000 to 1, he struck the perfect tee shot on the fourth hole at Overstone Park in Northamptonshire, England.
The 67-year-old was playing a 120-yard par-3 hole with friends when he scored his incredible ace using a seven iron. This achievement is particularly impressive considering Patrick only learned to play golf after his accident in 2012.
Over the past seven years, Patrick has faced significant physical and mental health challenges, and he credits golf with “saving his life.” He shared, “I’m not very good at golf, but it’s saved my life.”
Patrick, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 280 pounds, previously enjoyed sports such as rugby, Gaelic football, soccer, and cricket. After a workplace accident changed the course of his life, he struggled to find his way back until a friend introduced him to golf.
“I had some lessons with a pro and told him to treat me as a blank canvas and I’ll do what you tell me to,” he recalled. His instructor encouraged him to develop his own technique, as what works for one person may not work for another.
Although he managed to birdie the hole in the past, it had been a challenge for him. “Eight times out of ten I knock it in the water—and it starts getting into your head,” he explained. Determined to succeed, he decided to aim directly for the flag this time.
“If anyone else used a seven iron on that hole, it would have gone about 100 yards past the flag,” he said. “As soon as I hit it, I knew I had caught it sweet. My friend Kevin was telling me, ‘that’s on the button that is.’”
They watched as the ball got closer, landing about a foot past the hole and rolling back, much to Patrick’s astonishment. “People on the fifth hole walking by were applauding me. Kevin threw his club in the air; I couldn’t quite believe it, I was gobsmacked,” he said, filled with joy.
With a grin, he turned to Kevin and said, “Fancy getting beaten by a one-armed man?” He learned that the odds of someone with a disability achieving a hole-in-one were just 0.001% or 1 in 100,000, making his accomplishment even more extraordinary.
Before his accident, Patrick worked in the road surfacing industry for over 30 years until a tragic incident left him with the loss of his arm. Following this life-changing event, he faced post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, but found solace and purpose through the sport of golf.
Patrick’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the joy that can be found in pursuing one’s passions against all odds.
