The U.S. Amateur Public Links has had 10 holes-in-one since the USGA began tracking the statistic in 1982. But none have occurred quite like the one Derek Ernst of Clovis, Calif., produced on Wednesday at Bandon Trails. With the tee markers moved up at the par-4 eighth hole -- it was playing 299 yards -- Ernst launched a 3-wood toward the flagstick, which was in the back-left portion of the green.
"I almost thought it was going in the right bunker," said Ernst.
The ball kicked left, went up over a ridge and then disappeared for the first hole-in-one on a par 4 in APL history.
"I was thinking there's no way it went over the green," said Ernst. "There were two marshals on the side of the green and one guy ran out and put his hands in the air. That's when I knew it was in. It gave me a big boost of momentum the rest of the way."
Ernst went on to post a 19-hole victory over Joseph David of Madison, Tenn. He will now face Chris Mory of Haslett, Mich., in the second round on Thursday morning at Old Macdonald. -- David Shefter