I recently retired after a long professional career. Partly so I could keep working on my growing bucket list which includes spending more time with my grandkids, pursuing my technology hobby as a part time business and of course playing more golf.

In my 54 years playing this wonderful game, I have met some fantastic people and made life long friendships. And I have come close to that elusive ace on countless occasions. I've hit the pin three times and had balls marks within inches from the hole, etc.

So, on May 12th, 2025, when I stepped up to the tee for this first time since retirement (as well as the first time this season), I wasn't even thinking about if retirement would allow me to finally reach my dream. In fact, I hadn't even swung a club so far this season before I stepped up to the first tee that morning at Indian Boundary Golf Course in Chicago, Illinois.

The round started out reasonably well and then I stepped up to the 130 Yard 8th hole. This hole is protected by water on the right and two large bunkers on the left. I told my playing partners I felt I could step on a nine iron and get there even though the pin was tucked away just behind the water. And step on the shot I did! A perfect line but with not the best eyesight I couldn't judge depth. So, when the ball bounced once and then rolled a few feet and disappeared, I was stunned! This was the same hole where my closest friend had just last year missed two aces in consecutive weeks. And part of me thinks he was even more excited for me than I was, since I was in a state of shock.

As we played the rest of the round, I just thought to myself what a great decision I made to step away from my full time profession when I did. And if I hadn't done so, I would have been on a plane that day to Arizona to attend my company's annual business conference. Who knows if I had made a different choice whether or not I would have ever completed my hole in one bucket list?