Golfer thrilled to join the exclusive ‘hole in one’ club

Laurel O’Brien has joined the exclusive “hole-in-one” club at the Spalding Park Golf Course.

O’Brien became the first woman since the turn of the century to register a hole in one on the 148m par three 12th hole, the longest par three on the course.

It was her first hole-in-one in the 15 years she has been playing, and described the feeling as “unbelievable”.

“It’s very thrilling; it’s the ultimate in golf and something you dream of since you start playing,” she said.

“Off the tee I thought it looked good and was on the green, but my playing partner Carol Garland saw it all the way and was very excited.

"I didn’t really believe it until I pulled the flag and knew it was there.”

O’Brien took up the game after a long A-grade hockey career with Australs, spending two years at the Geraldton Golf Club before moving to Spalding Park for convenience.

“I played hockey for 20 years, and I suppose golf is a bit of a follow-on from that,” he said.

“My mum and dad were very keen golfers so we grew up with golf talk and the interest was always there.”

O’Brien was provided with a $500 voucher from hole sponsor Great Northern Rural Services.