MIRACLE ON THE GREEN!
Calhoun, Louisiana (April 27, 2020) – Husband and wife, Buck and Jo Stein, and friend Jim Turner pulled off the nearly impossible on Friday, April 17th, making three aces on Calvert Crossing Golf Club’s 124-yard, par-3 5th hole. The odds of this amazing occurrence are about the same as winning the Powerball. The probability of an average golfer making a hole-in-one is roughly 12,000 to 1. The chances of two people acing the same hole, on the same day, from the same foursome are roughly 64 million to 1 range – according to the National Hole-In-One Registry. Add in a third person, hitting from the same tees and the statistics are off the charts.
Buck Stein, age 79, and Turner, age 87, were paired together as part of a foursome in the club’s senior outing and teed off at 9 a.m., while Jo Stein, age 75, played with friends Harolyn Falgoust and Angela Martin and teed off at 10:10 a.m.
Upon arriving at the 5th hole, Turner was third to play and hit an 8-iron from 124 yards, while Buck Stein went last (fourth) and hit a 9-iron from the same distance, noting the pin was just below the second tier of the green or center- left of the green.
“All of the other players were already in their carts ready to drive to the green and nobody knew that either of our balls were in the hole until pulling up to the green,” said Buck Stein. “It was unbelievable that both balls stayed in the cup with the foam COVID-19 blocks in place.”
I could not believe it,” said Turner. “I was so struck with excitement, I only took a photo of the balls in the cup and did not think to ask the group to take a photo of Buck and me together, but then we could not get close or high-five anyway under all the COVID restrictions.”
About an hour later, Jo Stein used a 5-wood, “for some added distance, as the wind had picked up,” from 124 yards.
“I thought the ball was real close to the pin,” explained Jo Stein. “I asked Angela Martin if it was in and she used her range finder to see the ball. Angela then jumped up and down screaming ‘It’s in the hole!’”
Married for 56 years, the Stein’s have played at Calvert Crossing an estimated 2,000 times over the last 18 years, but had never aced the short par-3. In fact, Buck and Jo have a 3.3 and 3.5 scoring average respectively on the hole. Turner estimates that he’s played the course 2,080 times over his 20 years at the Club and carries a 3.3 scoring average on the hole.
Buck Stein has had six previous holes-in-one, while Jo Stein has had one previous ace, on the par-3 17th hole at Calvert Crossing in 2015. Turner has had two previous aces – 40 years ago at Pine Hills and 10 years ago on the second hole at Calvert Crossing.
“The bar is not open at Calvert Crossing during the COVID-19 crisis, so Harolyn, Angela and I plan to celebrate after the restrictions are lifted,” said Jo Stein.
“If the bar had been open, there would have been some celebration for sure,” added Buck Stein. “Instead, we called family members and friends to tell them about the holes-in-one.”
Buck Stein has been playing golf for about 50 years, and Jo has been playing approximately 38 years. Jo plays regularly with Ms. Falgoust and Ms. Martin, while Buck and Jo play together an average of three to five times per month. Turner started playing golf in high school and has never had a golf lesson. Turner and Buck Stein are usually paired together one to two times per month.
“Three aces on the same hole, on the same day is absolutely incredible,” said Kevin LaFontaine, general manager, Calvert Crossing Golf Club. “I’m thrilled for Mr. and Mrs. Stein and Mr. Turner!”
Managed by Troon’s Honours Golf division, Calvert Crossing Golf Club is located in the West Ouachita Parish of Louisiana and is one of the premier private golf clubs in the area. The Club features a modern, 18-hole layout co-designed by John Floyd (who worked under Jack Nicklaus) and Bill Zimmerebner, and is carved through the rolling hills of Calhoun. Members enjoy the beautiful and peaceful “walk in the woods” the golf course provides along with casual dining, and access to special member events.
For more information on Calvert Crossing Golf Club, visit www.calvertgolfclub.com.
About Honours Golf
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., Honours Golf was founded on a vision to provide award-winning golf courses with unparalleled course conditions, hire dedicated team members who share a passion for golf, and deliver impeccable personalized service. As a result, Honours Golf has grown to become the Southeast’s leading golf course development and management company. In 2014, Honours Golf was acquired by Troon and operates as a subsidiary of the global brand. Honours Golf currently operates 23 award-winning daily fee, resort and private club facilities including the King & Bear at World Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine, Fla.; Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, Miss., Craft Farms Golf Resort and Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club in Gulf Shores, Ala. For more information on Troon’s Honours Golf Division, visit www.honoursgolf.com.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 440-plus locations around the globe, including managing 485-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages more than 400 food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 43 states and 31 countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Green Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. There are currently 67 Troon-affiliated properties featuring 87 golf courses on national and international “Top 100” rankings. Troon-affiliated properties include The Club at Hammock Beach in Palm Coast, Florida; Pronghorn in Bend, Oregon; Mauna Lani on the Kohala Coast, Hawai‘i; Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico; and Brookwater Golf & Country Club in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blog, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com