A seven-year-old schoolboy has brought new meaning to the term “short game” after becoming the youngest Briton to achieve a verified hole-in-one.
At an age when many would be tackling windmills and loop-the-loops at the local crazy-golf venue, Lancashire’s Freddie Kellow teed up at Carus Green, a course he had never played before, and floated a seven-iron so accurately that it bounced just a foot in front of the pin and rolled in.
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The distance to the hole was 70 yards, from the forward tee, and the moment was captured by high-definition cameras which happened to be present because an emerging technology company – Official Hole in 1 – was trialling a new video system on the course.
Judging by Kellow’s response, he has not quite realised what a rare feat this is for someone whose age demographic is more often associated with Lego, Monopoly and Rubik’s Cubes.
“I didn’t think it had gone in at first,” he said. “It was only when my dad started cheering that I realised. It was brilliant – but I was a bit embarrassed by my dad and his excited shouting. I know it’s a big achievement. I want to get my handicap now.”
Like Scottish golfer Bob MacIntyre, whose father was the greenkeeper at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, Kellow has something of a head start. His own father, Wesley, manages golf operations for Burnley Leisure and Culture – although Kellow Snr admits that Freddie has already outdone him with this ace.
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“I’ve never managed a hole-in-one myself – never got close,” Wesley said. “So I imagine that is something Freddie won’t let me live down.”
Wesley Kellow, Freddie’s father, was there to witness the record-breaking hole-in-one – Solent News & Photo Agency
Kellow Jnr is a member at Clitheroe Golf Club, an hour’s drive away, but seems to have been playing as part of a junior competition at Carus Green. When he achieves his first handicap and starts entering club events, he will surely leave some chastened playing partners in his wake.
Freddie’s parents Wesley and Jemma were both present at Carus Green for the big moment, which they also recorded on a mobile phone. “Straight away we thought it was a great swing,” Wesley said. “Another parent shouted ‘get in the hole’, and it bounced and rolled right in. We were in shock and we are so proud. It was an unbelievable moment for us as parents, but more importantly, for Freddie.”
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