FORMER Fiji soccer rep Vinod Chand carded a rare hole-in-one during the Sigatoka Valley Spares Limited-sponsored 18-hole stroke event at the Lautoka Golf Club yesterday.
Chand, who took up the sport in 1987, aced the par three eleventh hole with a seven iron.
The 60-year-old could not believe his eyes when the TaylorMade ball rolled into the hole as he watched down 157 metres from the elevated tee.
This was his first ever hole-in-one in his 25-year golfing career. Chand, a retired Punja and Sons employee, said previously he had never even recorded an eagle.
Chand said he had never thought of a hole-in-one in his wildest dream.
"Many people play golf and finish their career without hitting an ace," Chand said.
"It was just my lucky day. I will cherish this all my life. The ball will now go into my cabinet as a memento."
Chand's ace has earned him $500, the prize offered by the LGC for any hole-in-one recorded in its event.
The last hole-in-one recorded at the Golf Links course was by LGC chairman of trustees Raymond Singh in December 2010.
Process Valves manager west, Jeff Johns won the first nett prize. He carded a fine score of 63. Johns also hit the longest drive. LGC course director Michael Nair was second with 65. Sunia Radovu was third with 67 while Vinesh Murthi finished fourth scoring 68. Vijay Krishna and Gaffar Ali scored 69 respectively. Suren Pillay won the nearest-to-the-pin prize.