Imagine the sheer exhilaration of acing a hole in one shot – that rare, heart-pounding moment every golfer dreams of, and it's happening right here in Central New York this autumn! If you're new to golf, a hole-in-one means getting your ball straight into the cup on the very first swing, a feat that blends skill, luck, and perfect timing. As of October 17, local players have been racking up these impressive accomplishments, and we're diving into the details to celebrate them. But here's where it gets intriguing: with so many aces reported in such a short span, is it a sign of exceptional talent or just the stars aligning? Stick around as we break it down.
This roundup comes from the Post-Standard, published on October 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., and penned by Pat Spadafore (you can reach him at pspadafore@syracuse.com or check out his profile on syracuse.com). Let's spotlight these standout moments and the everyday heroes behind them, complete with the courses, clubs used, and witnesses who saw the magic unfold.
Kicking things off, Luke Snyder nailed a hole-in-one on October 12 at Weequahic Golf Course in Newark, New Jersey. He aced the 161-yard 10th hole with a trusty 7-iron, and it was all eyes on him thanks to witnesses David Snyder and Tom Klein. For beginners, a 7-iron is a mid-range club great for controlled distances like this – talk about precision!
On the same day, Kevin Collins celebrated his own ace at Camillus Golf Club, sinking the 130-yard 3rd hole using a pitching wedge. That's a shorter club designed for loft and accuracy on approach shots, perfect for this scenario. His family was there to cheer: Casey Collins, Keven Collins, and Finn Collins.
Not to be outdone, Rhonda Museum scored big on October 12 at Cazenovia Country Club's 6th hole with a 5-hybrid – a versatile club that combines the ease of a fairway wood with iron-like control, making it a favorite for many amateurs. Terri Fox and Mary Deuble were on hand to confirm the excitement.
Larry Beyer also joined the elite club on October 12, acing the 143-yard 3rd at Pinegrove using his 7-iron. Deb Beyer was right there, probably the proudest witness of all.
Shifting back a day to October 11, Josh DeFino pulled off an ace on the short 113-yard 17th hole at Beaver Meadows with a 9-iron, ideal for those finesse shots. Sal Lomedico, Jason Cooper, and Jamie Crandall got to see this up close.
Timothy Hyatt followed suit on October 11 at West Hill Golf Course, conquering the 134-yard 12th hole with an 8-iron. Gavin McGunnigle was there to vouch for the incredible play.
John Landry's turn came on October 7 at Pinegrove's 133-yard 14th hole, where his 8-iron did the trick. Don Cooke witnessed this memorable shot.
And wrapping up the holes-in-one, Gene Tracy achieved his on September 13 at Stone Creek Golf Course's 125-yard 4th hole using a pitching wedge. Jim Bush, Tim McNamara, and Dennis Wallace were the lucky onlookers.
But wait, there's more to golf glory than just aces – enter the 'Shoot Your Age' challenge, where a player scores exactly their age or better, a benchmark of consistency that's especially tough as we get older. Zeke Zakreski, at 82 years young, smashed it on October 14 by shooting a fantastic 77 at Battle Island Golf Course. That's five strokes under his age, folks – an inspiring reminder that passion for the game knows no age limit. Witnesses Dick Shults, Doug Alexander, and Kevin McCarthy were there to applaud.
And this is the part most people miss: while holes-in-one often spark debates about luck versus skill (after all, pros say it's 90% fortune), these local stories show how accessible these thrills can be for everyday players. Could better course conditions or coaching be fueling this wave of aces in Central New York? It's a fun controversy to ponder – what do you think, is it pure chance or hidden talent bubbling up?
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Have you or someone you know pulled off a hole-in-one lately? Or what's your take on the luck-skill divide in golf? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your stories and spark some lively discussion!
