Like seeing an eclipse of the sun, aces are a rare treat for Lindsay MacDermott.
She’s had just two holes-in-one in her 37-year-old life and on both occasions Ann Holmes, her former coach at UBC, and Jackie Touchet, former university teammate, were there to witness it.
Just like they did Saturday at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club in the opening round of the 50th Ladies Simon Fraser Open.
Hitting off the No. 14 tee from 92 yards away, MacDermott took out a wedge and blasted off a shot which found the cup. Her three-over round of 75 staked the Kamloops Golf and Country Club teaching pro to an early lead in the two-round tournament and she was even better on Day 2, shooting a 74 to successfully defend the Simon Fraser title she won for the first time last year.
MacDermott won by five strokes over Natasha Kozlowski (76-78-154) of Prince George, who celebrated her 16th birthday Sunday playing in the final foursome with MacDermott, Touchet and Leslie Gilchrist.
After a smoke-plagued opening round, Sunday’s round began under rain showers, familiar conditions for MacDermott, a native of Langley. She came out of the gate smoking hot on Sunday and birdied the first three holes.
“It was exceptional, I came in obviously feeling good about the golf course – I love the course – but I don’t put a lot of expectations on myself,” said MacDermott, who had eight birdies and the ace in her two rounds.
“I don’t play as much golf as I would love to. I’m teaching lots and I have little ones who are starting to get into golf. I don’t play and practice like I should, I come to have fun and that helps me play well.
“If it rains, there’s a part of me that it almost boosts my confidence. So many people struggle in the rain but I don’t let the weather get to me. I have the right equipment and the right attitude.”
MacDermott’s first ace came 16 years ago in Kentucky during a practice round for the 2001 NAIA national championship. The UBC team came home with the women’s team title that year.
“It’s so random, to have the only two I’ve ever had and to have Jackie and Ann there for both of them is ridiculous,” she said.
In her practice round at the PGGCC on Friday she came within two feet of the hole on No. 14 and her tee shot on the same hole on Sunday left her with a six-foot putt she ended up missing.
“I was all over the map, I had so many birdies and yet I finished with a triple (Saturday) and had two doubles (Sunday), I was just hot and cold,” said MacDermott,who had the longest drive both days.
Touchet, of Prince Rupert, (77-81-158) and Holmes (83-84-167) were third and fourth overall. Kozlowski, a five-handicap, won the overall low net Simon Fraser title for the third year. She’s played in the tournament every year since she first entered it when she was 11.
“There’s obviously a few shots I’d like to have back,” said Kozlowski. “The first day was not bad and (Sunday) I was even on the front but on the back I just couldn’t get it going and I was six-over.
“I wasn’t expecting to win low-net overall at all. The rain didn’t bother me at all.”
Kozlowski was pleased to be in the final group, knowing the other three were golfing long before she was born. She said her best shot came Sunday on No. 4 when she missed the green with her approach and her chip left her about 15 feet from the pin. She sunk the putt to save par.
“I hope I do better next year,” she said. “This is the one tournament for me that I really want to win, just because it’s at home and I work (at PGGCC) in the back shop.”
Kozlowski didn’t get much time to bask in the glow of finishing as the runner-up. She left the club right away, bound for the B.C. juvenile championship in Nelson. The three-round tournament starts Wednesday.
