Independence junior Reese Vilcheck sank a hole-in-one at the Kent Roosevelt Lady Rider Invitational at Twin Lakes Golf Course on Saturday.
Vilcheck sized up the 145-yard Par 3 eighth-hole and used an 8-iron to land her ball on the green. She watched with excitement as the ball rolled closer to the pin until it disappeared into the hole.
“Scoring a hole-in-one was an awesome experience because it’s a once in a lifetime achievement,” Vilcheck said of her first ace. “When swinging, I set up pretty straight on to the flag, took a couple practice swings, checked my target, and swung. Hitting it felt good coming off the club and looked like a great shot.”
She didn’t realize just how well she connected with the ball until she saw the reaction of her parents, who were watching from around the green.
“At first, I just thought I hit it really well and I’d have a birdie,” she said. “My parents were right by the greens watching. As it rolled down the green, I saw my parents running up to it and I started looking closer and when it went in I screamed, ‘Are you serious!’”
Independence finished the tournament in 11th place in a field filled with larger schools and Vilcheck’s shot was the highlight of the day for the Blue Devils.
It also has provided the junior with inspiration heading into the remainder of the year.
“A hole-in-one has boosted my confidence as a young golfer because it makes want to do better and improve,” she said.
