Some Things Are Bigger Than Sports : Man Hits Hole In One

GENEVA, Ill. (WGN) — It’s always special to hit a hole-in-one on the golf course. For one man, a recent ace was even more special.

Hundreds of golfers teed off at Eagle Brook Country Club in Geneva, Illinois on Monday as part of the seventh-annual charity golf tournament hosted by Jay’s Hope.

It was created by the family of Jay Burger, who passed away in 2016. Burger, described as a kind and generous soul, died at the age of 24 after being diagnosed with bone cancer and undergoing 20 grueling months of surgery and cancer treatments.

“The entire mission of the organization is to offer hope and support to college students who are battling cancer,” Burger’s mother, Kelly Jo Golson, explained.

Golson said Burger was there with him when the hole-in-one happened, too.

WGN caught the moment Golson teed off on the par three third hole. Golson watched as the ball sailed to the green, only for it to land directly in the hole.

The miraculous shot set off a wild celebration as Golson and Jay’s friends raced to the hole to confirm the shot.

“I’ve never hit a hole in one in my life. That was incredible,” Golson said. “[Jay] was here with me, for sure. There was no doubt.”

Golf has taken this company by storm. The boys at Fore Play are everywhere. Hank is playing golf every day, Jersey Jerry has said he's got the bug. We got mini golf tournaments, we just covered the NV5 Invitational. Our merch is the best in the business. Barstool is golf. My role in the sport is to be an expert on scramble tournaments and golf outings. As a guy who cannot put together a good 18 holes, has never flirted with even coming close to 90 and breaks 100 on rare occasions ... the only real time I can get out on a course is at an outing with a scramble format. For those of you unfamiliar. A scramble format is where 4 players each hit off the tee. You decide on the best drive, and then everyone hits from there. You then again decide on the best shot, and go hit from there. It allows for groups to post lower scores than they would on a regular Saturday or Sunday, and is typically the format in golf outings. I love scrambles. Less pressure, play as a team ... post a low score ... it's great. 

Golf outings are usually to benefit a cause, fund a scholarship, or in memory of someone. In blue collar towns like Staten Island, sadly I've played in more memorial outings than other areas of the country. That was the case in Geneva as this tournament benefiting Jay's Hope. I heard about a group getting two eagles at an outing last week and it was the buzz of the island. I can't imagine a hole in one, let alone it coming from the stepfather of the son the tournament is in memory of. A true some things are bigger than sports moment. A hole in one like this is even better than anything by a professional on tour. This really was a 1 in a million shot, and of all days for it to occur ... having it on the day of the outing makes it even better. All time. 

Some Things Are Bigger Than Sports