Whenever the Hole-In-One count comes up with my buddies, I had always been left on 0 with no 'bragging rights' in that conversation. Growing up with a Par 3 golf course owned by my father's side of the family, after 24 years, you would think at least one of the thousands of Par 3 shots would've found the cup. Well, after 24 years, it finally happened. And, as everyone always told me, it happened on a shot that I didn't hit exactly the way I wanted. My group reached the Par 3 6th hole at Pebble Brook GC (North Course) in Noblesville, IN. The hole was playing 165 yards from the back tees, with a lake guarding the front left side of the green. The pin was placed about 15 paces on and 5 from the left, with the lake protruding almost even with my line to the pin. I selected an 8 iron and struck it slightly heavy. Initially off the club face, I was thinking water. However, it had a good line, about 5 feet right of the pin and landed just short of the green. Thankfully conditions were firm, and it took the perfect bounce onto the green and rolled right in the hole. In the moment I was ecstatic, releasing 'hoops and hollers' for all the years of waiting. Looking back I think the most satisfying part was seeing the ball disappear, and that's an image and a feeling I will never forget.