Tom Winterburn.
It is one of those golfing achievements that few around the world can lay claim to.
Many have shot a hole-in-one and many have topped the group card come days’ end, but shooting a score below your age is a rare feat indeed.
Tom Winterburn (pictured) did just that recently with the 73-year-old going around the Maitland Golf Club course in 72.
“It is pretty rare,” Winterburn said.
“But it is just one of those golfing ambitions – to shoot a hole-in-one and to play your age.”
Winterburn had been close before, shooting a round of 74 at age 70, but the one over par round on April 12 was enough to secure the East Maitland man a place in that part of golfing history.
“I knew with two holes to go that I had a shot at it, I just had to finish with pars” he said.
“In the end I had to sink a fair putt, around 10 feet, on the last hole to do it.”
Remarkably for Winterburn this came just six months after nailing his first ace, also at age 73.
“The boys used to stir me up all the time about playing for so long and not having a hole in one,” he said.
“Now I have both.”
Winterburn was first introduced to the sport as a caddy for the local professional at Maitland when just 10 years of age.
His best score at Maitland is an even round 71, which he shot “a few years ago”.