Duke’s String of Holes in One Climbs to 18

The saga of Donna Duke became at once more unbelievable and believable Friday afternoon.

Duke, a Camarillo resident, sank the 18th hole in one of her career during a Ladies Club tournament at the River Ridge Country Club in Oxnard. An amazing number in 16 years of golfing. Especially since they have all come since September, 1984.

Fourteen of the aces came in 1985, which would have been a record according to Golf Digest magazine, which keeps track of such things. Except Golf Digest won’t acknowledge the record. Seems some of Duke’s witnesses didn’t see the ball actually go in the hole. (Which isn’t too surprising considering the holes are a few hundred yards away).

Duke, 55, has close to three dozen different witnesses to her 18 aces. She gained two more Friday afternoon. Helen Brown and Jackie Taylor were playing in a threesome with Duke when she aced the Par 3, 119-yard 17th hole using a nine-iron. It was her second ace this year. The other came March 7 on the 192-yard 8th hole at River Ridge.

Brown, who has played with Duke before during club play, said she didn’t see the ball fall into the cup because it was on an elevated green. “Her shot was as straight as an arrow, though,” she said. “It was headed right for it when we lost sight of it.”

The growing number of witnesses to the aces, plus the fact many are acquaintances and not personal friends, add credence to Duke’s claim. She remains cynical, however, that her streak will ever be officially recognized.

“The first thing I said when I realized I made the ace was, ‘Here’s another one Golf Digest won’t accept,’ she said.

Duke’s housemate, Irene Cunningham, has been trying to get Duke’s feat recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. The problem with that, Duke said, is the book would have to add the category of aces in a calendar year for her to make it.

The previous record according to Golf Digest was 11. The only golf record listed in the Guinness Book is for career aces. It’s 54, held by Norman Manley of Long Beach.

Duke could also be listed for acing holes on three consecutive days, which is also believed to be unprecedented. She did that on Jan. 21-23 last year.

Duke used to think about the streak constantly. Now she doesn’t unless someone else mentions it.

It’s also become less important to her that her streak be officially recognized. “I’m getting to the point where I don’t care anymore,” she said. “I know I’ve done it and that’s what really matters.”

DONNA DUKE: 18 HOLES IN ONE

No. Date Course Hole Length Club 1 9-22-84 Ojai Valley 17th 110 yards 7 iron 2 11-11-84 Kauai Surf Club 17th 139 yards 5 iron 3 1-16-85 Saticoy Regional 16th 194 yards 3 wood 4 1-21-85 Clark/Pt. Magu 11th 153 yards 7 iron 5 1-22-85 Camarillo Springs 12th 163 yards 7 wood 6 1-23-85 Saticoy Regional 16th 194 yards 5 wood 7 1-30-85 Saticoy Regional 7th 213 yards driver 8 3-5-85 Camarillo Springs 15th 134 yards 6 iron 9 3-12-85 Camarillo Springs 12th 163 yards 5 wood 10 3-21-85 North Kern County 7th 135 yards 6 iron 11 4-1-85 Saticoy Regional 8th 160 yards 7 wood 12 4-23-85 Camarillo Springs 7th 140 yards 7 wood 13 6-26-85 Saticoy Regional 15th 132 yards 7 wood 14 7-26-85 Clark/Pt. Mugu 18th 274 yards Driver 15 9-10-85 Sunset Hills 13th 224 yards Driver 16 10-16-85 Western Hills 14th 134 yards 7 wood 17 3-7-86 River Ridge 8th 192 yards 3 wood 18 8-22-86 River Ridge 17th 119 yards 9 iron