Two golfers rejoice after hitting the hole at sunset silhouetted. Golden morning sky in winter, misty high mountain background. model released (Image via Somchai Sukkasem | Dreamstime)
Two golfers rejoice after hitting the hole at sunset silhouetted. Golden morning sky in winter, misty high mountain background. model released (Image via Somchai Sukkasem | Dreamstime)
Most golfers go their entire lives without a single hole-in-one, and Scottish Golfer Douglas Spencer got two in the same round against odds of 67 million to one.
The 60-year-old retired banker, a member at Boat of Garten in the Scottish Highlands, had never carded an ace before last weekend's medal round. Then he did it twice, seven holes apart, at a course he's called home for 13 years.
"I scoped it for around 165 yards, but I went with what my watch was telling me, 150," Spencer told Bunkered. "I hit a 7-iron, it took one bounce, then went in. There was a stunned silence between my playing partner and me before we exchanged a massive high five."
Then he added, "I couldn’t believe my luck.”
That alone would have been the story, but Spencer had other ideas. Seven holes later, on the 16th, his tee shot landed at the front of the green and tracked all the way to the cup. A group of golfers standing on the 17th tee watched it go in.
"They went absolutely mental," Spencer said. "I was completely stunned that it had happened again."
The full round was not perfect. Spencer shot a 78, with 42 on the front nine and 36 on the back nine. But the round still lowered his handicap from 11 to 9, putting him into single digits for the first time.
Spencer said reaching that goal felt just as special.
After the round, he left a bottle of whisky at the bar, received two hole-in-one flags from the club, and even bought a lottery ticket. But he did not get a third lucky result.
From the Fairway to a Bigger Fight
The two holes-in-one have given Spencer a chance to support a more important cause than golf.
On June 19, Spencer and his friend Iain Gardner will play 100 holes in one day at North Berwick West Links to raise money for Prostate Scotland. They have already raised more than £12,000 through their JustGiving page.
They are also running an online auction. Some of the prizes include a two-person round at Royal Birkdale, which will host the 2026 Open Championship, and a four-person round at Dunbar Golf Club.
"The work Prostate Scotland does can be completely life-changing," Spencer said, citing cyclist Chris Hoy's cancer journey as his inspiration.
Two holes-in-one and it's for one important cause. Coupled with that, their 100-hole golf challenge will take place on June 19.
Trending slideshow: Arnold Palmer Quotes That Can Inspire Every Golf Fan
Dolly Bhamrick
Arnold Palmer Quotes That Can Inspire Every Golf FanArnold Palmer wasn’t just one of golf’s greatest players — he was the man who made the sport feel human. With seven major titles and a fan base so loyal it was dubbed “Arnie’s Army,” Palmer changed the culture of golf forever. But beyond his swing and charisma, it was his words that carried lasting power. Here are ten quotes from “The King” that continue to inspire every golfer and every dreamer. Golffile Thos Caffrey/ZUMA Press/ImagoPalmer’s greatness wasn’t built in the gym but in his mind. Long before golf had swing coaches and sports psychologists, he mastered the mental game through focus, composure, and self-belief. His era was defined by raw talent, and Palmer’s mental toughness made him stand apart. Every golfer or any sports person needs to be mentally strong; even a former golfer, Rick Sessinghaus, became a mental performance coach. Globe Entertainment/ImagoPalmer was famous for charging back into tournaments that seemed lost. Starting the final round at the 1960 US Open seven shots behind, he charged back with an electrifying front-nine 30 to claim victory. That fearless surge became known as the “Palmer Charge,” forever linked to his name. This quote is more than motivation; it’s a glimpse into the relentless competitor who inspired generations of golfers to keep swinging. Via Associated PressPalmer’s fearless style often meant taking shots others wouldn’t dare attempt — and many of them paid off spectacularly. His words remind fans that the greatest satisfaction often comes from risks that defy reason, whether on the course or in life. Via APBehind Palmer’s competitive fire was a playful sense of humor that made him beloved by fans. You’re bound to make mistakes, but the trick is to smile, erase, and move on. This quip shows that even the most serious golfers should never take themselves too seriously. Golf, as Palmer saw it, was a game meant to be enjoyed — frustrations and all. Photograph courtesy: The United States Golf AssociationUnlike some of his contemporaries, Palmer’s success was never fueled by arrogance. He wanted to win not for glory, but for the pure thrill of competition. He famously won seven major championships, but what defined him wasn’t just the victories. In the 1960 Masters, for instance, Palmer lost the lead late in the round, only to come back a year later with the same relentless drive and win the tournament. PCN Photography/ImagoPalmer spent over five decades playing and designing golf courses, yet he never stopped being fascinated by the game’s depth. His reflection here captures golf’s eternal puzzle — that it’s easy to learn but impossible to truly master. Adam Stoltman/ImagoFrom long drives to daring approach shots, Palmer’s style was pure aggression wrapped in confidence. Fans loved him because he never played it safe. This quote sums up the “Palmer charge” — that fearless surge on the back nine that made golf thrilling to watch again. Mark Newcombe/ImagoAfter earning a scholarship at Wake Forest University and serving in the Coast Guard, he built a life around continuous evolution. Beyond the fairways, Palmer became a visionary entrepreneur. How? He obtained his pilot’s license, launched Arnold Palmer Enterprises, and designed more than 300 golf courses across 37 states and 25 countries. Mark Newcombe/Visions In Golf/ImagoPalmer often said that golf was an art form: a blend of motion, feeling, and imagination. His reverence for the game’s beauty shaped his later life, too. When Palmer turned to golf course design, he approached it like a sculptor, crafting layouts that blended seamlessly with the land. From Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Florida (now home of the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational) to The K Club in Ireland, there is a long list. Peter Stachiw/ImagoPalmer’s work ethic was legendary. He hit more practice balls than most of his peers and constantly tinkered with his swing. Palmer’s legendary work ethic began long before fame. As a young caddie at Latrobe Country Club, he’d rise before dawn to practice until his hands blistered. That blue-collar determination stayed with him throughout his career. When asked about his secret, he’d smile and say, “I just work harder than most.”Imago / Heigl
