Surprise! Birthday boy bags an extra present

Bristol golfer Andy Robbins has plenty to smile about after he sank an ace on the morning after a surprise birthday party.

What’s more, he received the perfect present in the shape of a limited-edition BOSS watch as recognition for the achievement.

Robbins, 65, who plays off 16, scored his ace on the 179-yard, par-three 17th at his club, Long Ashton, and was rewarded with membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1Club and a specially-commissioned, commemorative timepiece.

He said: “On the previous evening I was invited to a surprise 65th birthday celebration by a group of friends, and I eventually got to bed at 5am on the morning of the medal – it goes without saying that I was not feeling my best on the tee at 10.48am.

“I was feeling even worse when my tee shot was intercepted by a fir tree which refused to disgorge my ball. After reloading, I managed eight strokes on the first hole.”

But the retired marketing manager and former rugby player persevered manfully and, with very low expectations, started to relax as the game progressed.

“On the 16th hole, I managed a gross birdie and standing on the tee of the 17th I was feeling very upbeat. I hit a five-iron, feeling that perhaps it was a little optimistic for 179 yards uphill.

“I shouldn’t have worried though because I struck the ball perfectly and it faded to the right hand side of the laterally sloping green. The ball gradually tracked across the green towards the flag, before disappearing from view.

“We weren’t sure whether we could actually see the bottom of the flag, but were pretty convinced it had dropped.

“The walk to the green was a nervous affair, as it would be my first hole-in-one. One of my partners confirmed that the ball was at the bottom of the cup and celebrations followed.”

Robbins puts his hole-in-one down to his hangover, as it made him totally relaxed.