Four-year-old hot shot hits a hole-in-one

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD golfer could be the youngest person in Europe to achieve a hole-in-one.

David Huggins, of Ipswich, holed his tee shot on a par three, 105-yard hole on a course near his home. But Guinness World Records said the youngest person to record a hole in one was an American who was three days younger when he achieved the feat on a course in Hickory, North Carolina, in 1999.

David’s father, Jonathan, 33, said the youngster holed in one on Good Friday while playing the sixth at the Suffolk Golf and Water Park in Bramford, Suffolk. “He used his three wood to hit the shot. It bounced a couple of times and went in the hole,” said Mr Huggins, a banker. “He wasn’t really interested in finishing the round after that.”

David has been playing golf for two years and has weekly lessons at the club. His teacher, professional Sarah Wilson, 37, who co-owns the club, said the little boy had exceptional ability but was not the best youngster in his class.

“We have a junior club on a Saturday morning and he has lessons then,” said Mrs Wilson.

“He really whacks a golf ball and he hits it about 130 yards, which is a formidable distance. And he hits the ball very straight. Ability-wise he is exceptional and if he keeps at it then he can only get better and better.

“We have seven or eight four-year-olds and they all hit a golf ball well. We have a five-year-old who I think is even better than David.”

Mrs Wilson added: “Even though it is a short course it has a bit of a dog-leg. To get a hole in one you have to hit it over trees. There was no way it could be a fluke because you have to use a proper golf shot.

“On that hole I would expect to get a par, which is a three, and be happy to get a two. I would probably use a pitching wedge. He used a wood.”

Mr Huggins said he felt his son had exceptional golfing ability but was too young to think about a golfing career.

A spokesman for Guinness World Records said details of David’s achievement would have to be carefully checked before it could be recorded.