Game Changers

An Epic Day at Pinehurst

By Abby Parsons, PGA
Published on
Abby & Megan with their teammates at Pinehurst.

Abby & Megan with their teammates at Pinehurst.

When playing college golf, you experience a myriad of different things on the golf course over the time period of repping your school’s logo. You see amazing, competitive golf, as well as some shots we all wish did not ensue while trying to win a tournament. 
I will never forget playing Pinehurst #8 in the early spring season of my junior year playing for Boston University. Being born and raised in Pinehurst, I grew to love #8 as one of my favorite courses of all time. It was a full-circle feeling being back there with my college golf team, but little did I know something special would happen on that golf course to add to the memories.
Abby Parsons, PGA, poses next to the Payne Stewart Statue at Pinehurst Resort.
Abby Parsons, PGA, poses next to the Payne Stewart Statue at Pinehurst Resort.
I was approaching the 12th tee box during the last round of the event and I heard cheering in the distance. I had no clue what group was celebrating, or what it was for, but I was hoping it involved a fellow Boston Terrier. 
Not much later I hear another series of cheers. I noticed it was the group in front of me celebrating on the par-3 13th tee box over a hole-in-one. I could tell it was not for my teammate, but I still thought it was exciting to witness. 
I saw my coach waiting for me on the tee box to help me navigate the hole and I asked what caused all of the ruckus.
“Well, Megan made a hole-in-one two groups in front of you, then a woman from another team made one in this group, so now it is time for you to step up,” my coach said laughing.
An action shot from the range at Pinehurst No. 8.
An action shot from the range at Pinehurst No. 8.
Megan was my best friend on the team, so hearing her make a hole-in-one in my hometown made me so incredibly happy. Knowing that two players in front of me made a hole-in-one made me feel as if I had a chance too.
I skulled my 8-iron to 20 feet, it was not my time (I did make the birdie putt, however). 
Seeing Megan wait for me to finish the 18th hole so she could tell me the great news was a sight I will never forget. She was holding two to-go cups of Coke, our favorite beverage after a long day on the golf course. 
Megan ended up making another hole-in-one before the season ended, which was quite the way to finish her senior year at Boston University. Hearing those cheers back to back on Pinehurst #8 that day is a sound I will never forget.