It was the 26th of September, our last night of league play. On hole #12 at the Royal American Links golf course in Galena Ohio, the hole is protected by water and sand in front and to the left of the green, woods in the back and left. As a high handicapper I have lost many balls on this hole. I was playing for 175 to 180 yards as the tee blocks were towards the back of the tee box. I was pleased as I struck the ball cleanly and seen that it was in line with the flag. The green is shaded and I do not see well when the ball hits the ground at that yardage. My opponent said " I think it went into the hole". I tried not to get my hopes up too much, but was excited to go and see. My time had to wait as my opponent hit his ball left into the lake, and we proceeded to a drop zone for him to hit again. At the cart path you could not see the flag as it was also back. Later we determined the hole was really playing around 190. I grabbed a wedge and my putter although I hoped I wasn't going to need them. We walked up together and looked down. There in the cup was my Pro V1 ball. I was numb... my first ever hole in one. I scratch a 1 into the box on the score card and we went on to 13. Without thinking I teed up the same ball. A dog leg left. With all the adrenaline built up I drove the ball through the dog leg into the heather. We searched as long as we could to no avail. I had just lost my hole in one ball. In our league a hole in one pays $100 to the recipient, however there is an unwritten rule that says the beer is on you at the local pizza place. I went and enjoyed the congratulations from the other league players and was presented the bill of $89 for the beer. But the experience of my first hole in one made it worth every penny.