The team representing the Town of Osoyoos at this past weekend’s annual Osoyoos Rotary Club Golf Tournament had many reasons to smile after Ron Doucette (second from left), the town’s director of operational services, hit a hole in one on the seventh hole of the Desert Gold course on Saturday afternoon. Team members had agreed just before teeing off to share the $10,000 prize should one of them hit a rare ace. Team members from left including building inspector Neil Pagett, town councillor Carol Youngberg and Jim Zakall, the town’s director of financial services. Far right is Judy Miller-Bennett, president of the Osoyoos Rotary Club. (Keith Lacey photo)

The team representing the Town of Osoyoos at this past weekend’s annual Osoyoos Rotary Club Golf Tournament had many reasons to smile after Ron Doucette (second from left), the town’s director of operational services, hit a hole in one on the seventh hole of the Desert Gold course on Saturday afternoon. Team members had agreed just before teeing off to share the $10,000 prize should one of them hit a rare ace. Team members from left including building inspector Neil Pagett, town councillor Carol Youngberg and Jim Zakall, the town’s director of financial services. Far right is Judy Miller-Bennett, president of the Osoyoos Rotary Club. (Keith Lacey photo)

The man his hockey buddies call “Doucey” might have to switch his nickname to “Ace” after hitting a hole in one during this past weekend’s Osoyoos Rotary Club annual golf tournament at the Osoyoos Golf Club.

Ron Doucette, the town’s veteran director of operational services, was representing the town in the annual golf tournament along with town councillor Carol Youngberg, Neil Pagett, the town’s building inspector, and Jim Zakall, the town’s director of financial services.

On the seventh hole on the Desert Golf course at Osoyoos Golf Club this past Saturday afternoon, Doucette took out a five iron on the par-three 165-yard hole and his tee shot ended up in the hole.

As is the case in many fundraising golf tournaments, the hole was sponsored should a hole-in-one take place and all tournament participants were informed that they would win $10,000 if they managed to hit an ace.

Ironically, Doucette said he and his playing partners had talked about what they would do if anyone on the team got lucky enough to hit an ace.

“Just before we started, we talked about what we would do if we managed to win the 10 grand and we decided that we would split it,” said Doucette, who was playing for the fourth consecutive year in the Osoyoos Rotary Club tournament. “We also all decided that we would give $500 back to the Rotary Club as a kind gesture to try and help them out.”

Doucette has been playing golf for much of his adult life and had previously hit one other hole in one while living in northwestern Ontario many years ago.

Any hole in one comes down to good luck, but Saturday’s ace was particularly impressive because the wind was howling strongly throughout the day, said Doucette.

“The wind was really blowing hard from left to right so I tried to aim the ball a little left of the green,” he said. “I hit the ball pretty good and it landed on the green and started rolling towards the hole.

“Once it landed, Neil from our group was yelling that he thought it was going to go in. When we watched the ball hit the pin and go in, we all went wild. It was pretty exciting for sure.”

Youngberg took a picture with her digital camera of Doucette picking the ball up from the hole and all team members celebrated with a drink after the incredible shot.

“We had some birdie juice with us on the course and we all took a little extra swig after getting the hole in one,” he said smiling.

“We shared a lot of high fives and did a lot of yelling and screaming. It was fun.”

Doucette knows exactly what he’s going to be doing with his share of the winnings.

“That should pay for my golf membership for next year,” he said smiling. “I’m retiring pretty soon and plan on playing a lot of golf once I do retire and I will be putting all of the money back into golf.”

Being able to share the special moment with three people he considers good friends made sinking the ace that much more memorable, said Doucette.

“We had a great day on the course and were having a wonderful time, but being able to get the hole in one and share 10 grand is pretty special for sure,” he said.

Smitty’s Family Restaurant in Osoyoos sponsored that particular hole and will be presenting members of Doucette’s team with the special $10,000 cheque in the next week or so once the insurance company pays out the special prize.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times

The Osoyoos Rotary Club held its annual golf tournament this past Saturday at Osoyoos Golf Club and more than 80 golfers showed up to participate in the annual event. As has become tradition, the day of golf begins with a putting contest on the putting green as players attempt five putts to try and sink a 50-foot putt to win prizes. Above, Myers Bennett, the past president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, shows some fine form in lining up his putt. (Keith Lacey photo)

The Osoyoos Rotary Club held its annual golf tournament this past Saturday at Osoyoos Golf Club and more than 80 golfers showed up to participate in the annual event. As has become tradition, the day of golf begins with a putting contest on the putting green as players attempt five putts to try and sink a 50-foot putt to win prizes. Above, Myers Bennett, the past president of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, shows some fine form in lining up his putt. (Keith Lacey photo)

The Osoyoos Rotary Club held its annual golf tournament this past Saturday at Osoyoos Golf Club and more than 80 golfers showed up to participate in the annual event. As has become tradition, the day of golf begins with a putting contest on the putting green as players attempt five putts to try and sink a 50-foot putt to win prizes. Jim Zakall, the Town of Osoyoos; director of financial services, sends one of his golf balls on its way towards the hole at the other end of the putting green. The Rotary golf tourney is used as a fundraiser for the local organization to provide funding to the many community projects and organizations it supports throughout the year. (Keith Lacey photo)

The Osoyoos Rotary Club held its annual golf tournament this past Saturday at Osoyoos Golf Club and more than 80 golfers showed up to participate in the annual event. As has become tradition, the day of golf begins with a putting contest on the putting green as players attempt five putts to try and sink a 50-foot putt to win prizes. Jim Zakall, the Town of Osoyoos; director of financial services, sends one of his golf balls on its way towards the hole at the other end of the putting green. The Rotary golf tourney is used as a fundraiser for the local organization to provide funding to the many community projects and organizations it supports throughout the year. (Keith Lacey photo)