After spending the previous three weeks playing golf in New Zealand, Thurlow was having “an ok round” until he hit the par three, seventh.

“I hit a six iron after the first two guys in my group hit seven iron and came up short,” Thurlow explained.

“It was the perfect shot, I hit it great and it looked good through the air.

“I started talking to the ball and for the first time in a long time, it listened.

“The ball bounced left and rolled into the hole, it was a great feeling.”

The hole in one was Thurlow’s third in his career after aces on the 14th at Victor Harbor in 1998 and on the 5th at South Lakes in 1992.

“It’s been a long time between drinks for number three,” he said.

Importantly, the thrill of the ace didn’t get to Thurlow as he smashed his drive on the following eighth hole right down the middle.

“That shot was good, but I won’t tell you what happened on the other par threes during the round.”

Thurlow finished with 80 off the stick, for a nett 70 for the 10 handicapper.

“It was an ok round, I was hitting the ball great, but I just couldn’t get a putt in.”

Fortunately for Paul, on the seventh, the putter wasn’t required.