History Made on Back-to-Back Aces
By Joe McDonald
RIGA Senior Writer
NEWPORT – An almost unfathomable feat occurred during the 44th U.S. Senior Open Championship Friday at Newport Country Club.
Frank Bensel recorded back-to-back holes-in-one.
Yes, you read that correctly. He first aced No. 4 (173 yards) and then repeated the magic on No. 5 (202 yards) and used his 6-iron both times. Since he was the first group out for Round 2, not many people witnessed the historic event. It was even too early for the televisions cameras to be rolling.
The buzz quickly made its way around the course and instantly went viral on social media.
“The first one was great and got me under par for the day,” Bensel explained. “The second one, I just couldn’t believe it. To even think that could happen was amazing. I’ve got a lot of family and friends here and they were all going crazy, and the guys I played with, same thing, they couldn’t believe it. It was amazing.”
The odds of recording one ace are astronomical, but back-to-back aces doesn’t compute. Incredibly enough, he now has 14 aces during his career, but this accomplishment is the highlight.
“Anytime you play in a major tournament it’s great,” he said. “This will be remembered forever and ever. This could be the highlight.
Bensel, 56, of Jupiter, Fla., also has his 14-year-old son, Hagen, on the bag this week, which makes it even more of a thrill.
“He’s a great caddie,” Bensel said. “He loves golf and we love spending time together. He’s a great reader of greens and his eyes are a lot better than mine right now. I’ve been able to trust him a lot on the reads . . . It’s great to just experience things like this with him because he loves being here and we love spending time together.”
Unfortunately, Bensel did not make the cut after a two-round total of 75-74 – 149 (9-over). Oh, and he carded a bogey and par on the other par-3 holes during his round Friday.
Bensel, who is a teaching pro at Century Country Club in Purchase, N.Y., and the Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., recorded the 22nd and 23rd aces in U.S. Senior Open history. It's the second time in USGA history a player has recorded multiple aces in a single USGA championship. Donald Bliss accomplished the feat during the 1987 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas.
According to Newport Country Club, no member, or guest, has accomplished back-to-back aces on the back-to-back par 3s.
Bensel donated his 6-iron, ball and glove to the USGA Museum in Liberty Corner, N.J.