After almost 13 years in the Army, trainee pro Chris Crooks was living his dream when he scored a hole-in-one during a Monday practice round for the Isuzu Queensland Open.
On a near deserted The Brisbane Golf Club, the 33-year old left-hander scored his ace on the par-3, 13th hole which was playing about 180m.
“I hit a 5-iron… the hole-in-one probably came two or three days early but who cares,’’ joked Crooks.
“I’m happy just to be here with a chance to play the Open.’’
Crooks is a first-year trainee at Wantima Golf Club where his boss John Victorsen has allowed him to contest recent pro-am events.
“I’m a late starter after being told I wasn’t good enough as a young bloke,’’ said Crooks.
“I did my basic training for the Army with Damien Jordan who convinced me to have a go at a traineeship.’’
Jordan has been a consistent performer as a professional since committing to play fulltime in 2009 after a career in the Army which included two tours of duty in Iraq.
“I’m pleased I took Damien’s advice rather than living to regret that I never gave it a go,’’ said Crooks.
The opening round of the 72-hole Isuzu Queensland Open starts on Thursday.
The Isuzu Queensland Open will be played from 26-29 October 2017 at The Brisbane Golf Club. The Championship is a part of an action-packed Australian summer of golf and forms part of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. For more information visit www.qldopen.com.au.