The number 8 hole at Rebel Creek. You know the one? A creek running in front and then along the left. Big sand on the right.

I hit a great shot with my Titliest 735-CM 7-iron that drew in a couple yards towards the back pin. I saw the ball land on the top shelf in line with the stick and I figured "Great! I'm on the green and not in the sand or the water". I couldn't see the finish because the late day setting sun had partially blinded me and there were some shadows on the green.

Mike beside me said "That's in the hole!" and of course I had to say "No. No way... it's close maybe. Probably off the back". He continued insisting "I'm telling you, that's in the hole!" Julie was even jumping up and down.

So we drove up and parked the carts. As we walked up towards the hole I was getting more excited because I couldn't see my ball anywhere.

"So... where is it? Huh Sampson, where?" asked Mike.

I wouldn't let myself believe it. How many times have you thought it was in, but it was long or close or anywhere else but in the hole. And we had just joked about someone getting a hole-in-one so we could all drink Sake on them.

"Ah, it's gotta be long then" I said. "I thought it was maybe just a little left of the pin." I tried to be convincing. "Must have rolled off the back."

I took the (seemingly long) walk to the back of the green. Still looking anywhere and everywhere but the cup for my ball. I was sure I would see it just off the back where there is a slight hill and long shots will roll down out of view.

Nothing.

By now I had reached the cup so I peered in like someone who's afraid of heights looking over cliff.

There was my ball looking right back at me.

I couldn't believe it. It took a couple seconds to even register that it was, in fact, in the hole.

Had I thought to bring my cell phone it would have been the perfect picture. My Titleist Pro-V1 was even positioned at just such an angle that marketing would have killed for that shot. The logo perfectly angled and you could even read my mark.

I plucked the ball out of the hole and let out a pretty big "YEAAAAAAAAA". John and Jeff came out of the bunker to high-five me. Julie ran up and give me a big hug. Mike gave me an even bigger bear hug.

I slammed my hat to the ground at the suggestion of my playing partners and gave one more yell.

By now the following foursome had pulled up to the tee and were wondering what had happened. I was told later they thought I made a hole-out for a birdie. Close guess!

Jeff suggested I grab the flag for prosperity and we hurried to play out the hole so we could get to the bar.

I just tried to hold it together as we finished #9, which was our 18th hole as we had started on the back. John, Jeff and Mike we encouraging me to stay calm and just take it easy. Truthfully, the whole thing hadn't hit me yet and I made some good (and not so good) swings to get me on the green in regulation.

As we drove up to the 9th green a huge number of Wednesday night league players were still on the patio. "This is gonna cost me", I thought. A couple of people had already heard the news and were coming up to congratulate me.

I made my two-putt for par and got the heck out of the hole. We all shook hands, high-fived and hugged again. I think someone in the group yelled "SAKE!" So we gathered up our clubs and got off the green.

John made sure I recorded the date, hole number, yardage and club used on the flag and then everyone signed it for me. Julie even wrote something in Korean. The first part is "congratulations" and the last part is her name.

My thanks to Julie, John, Jeff and Mike. Thanks for getting me across the finish line and for sharing in that moment with me. You were awesome.

I did it. I made a hole-in-one.

And all I could think of is the damn 9 I took on hole #4.

It's an easy hole for crying out loud! How could I take a 9 on #4?!?!