An amateur golfer who waited 44 years for his first hole in one has defied odds of 67 million to one by hitting two in the same round. Retired banker Douglas Spencer, 60, accomplished the feat at the Boat of Garten course in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, but still did not win the tournament.
A Long-Awaited Achievement
Spencer, playing off a nine handicap, aced the par-three ninth and 16th holes. 'I've never even had a hole in one before,' he said. 'It had eluded me for 44 years. The first one was very good, and the second was not lucky but rolled in from a long way.' He has been playing golf since age 14.
Tournament Result
Despite his ace day, Spencer finished runner-up in the Roddy MacLeod Trophy, four strokes behind the winner, with a seven on the second hole hurting his score. He shot a 42 on the front nine and a level-par 36 on the back for a 78. His handicap dropped from 11 to 9.
Witnesses and Celebrations
Playing partner John Ingles saw the first ace. The second was witnessed by three golfers on the 17th tee. 'They went mad with delight,' Spencer said. Ingles gave a 'perfunctory high-five.' Traditionally, a golfer buys drinks for the clubhouse after a hole in one. Unsure of the etiquette for two, Spencer put a bottle of whisky behind the bar, which was finished by mid-evening.
Rarity of the Feat
The odds of a single hole in one are 12,500-1, but two in one round are extremely rare. Online searches indicate only a handful of amateurs and professionals have achieved it, including English golfer Dale Whitnell in February 2025. For context, the UK Lotto jackpot odds are 1 in 45 million.
Upcoming Fundraiser
Spencer will attempt 100 holes in a day on June 19 at North Berwick West Links with Iain Gardner, raising funds for Prostate Scotland. They have nearly £12,500 but aim for more.
