Retired Scot scores hat-trick in 11 days

RETIRED piping superintendent James Maguire has plenty to gas about after achieving three holes-in-one in just 11 days – his latest rewarding him with a BOSS watch.

The 64-year-old – a 19-handicapper from Tullibody in Scotland achieved each one of his ace treble at his home club, Braehead.

He began his lucky streak with a seven-iron tee shot on the 145-yard, par-three eighth during a seniors’ Friday sweep competition.

Not satisfied, he carded another ace just one week later, on the 184-yard, par-three 14th, with a five-wood while competing in the invitational Sambuca Cup competition.

Four days later, ace No.3 came along when Maguire managed to complete his hat-trick by using his six-iron on the 168-yard, par-three 11th during a Tuesday Stableford competition.

He said: “After achieving the first and second holes-in-one, I thought, ‘I’m never going to get a BOSS watch now’ – the odds against getting one were just too much.

“I couldn’t believe it when I achieved my third ace – it was an absolutely fantastic feeling and I was thrilled when I found out I’d be receiving a BOSS watch after all.

“I took up golf when I was 34 and have only had one other hole-in-one. It was back in 1994 at Thornton Golf Club in Fife on the old 130-yard, par-three 11th hole, with an eight-iron.

“As it was so long ago, it was simply astonishing to get three so quickly – and the BOSS watch was the cherry on the cake.

“I retired from the oil and gas industry recently, so I’m not travelling as much, which means I get to practise a lot more.

“I think the hours spent in the back garden working on my swing are starting to pay off, but there’s no secret to getting a hole-in-one. It’s all down to the right club selection and line – the rest is just luck.”

Meanwhile, Lady Luck had already smiled during Braehead’s fortuitous Tuesday Stableford as Maguire’s fellow club member, Brian Christie, 72 – a nine-handicapper from Menstrie – had already won himself a BOSS timepiece after acing the 158-yard, par-three sixth with his seven-iron.