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CGAcers: 2024 Year in Review + Prize Winners
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (January 31, 2025) — The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) celebrates an impressive 182 hole-in-one submissions to the CGAcers Club for 2024. With an average distance of 133.8 yards, these incredible shots demonstrate the skill and passion of golfers across the Carolinas.
Record Highlights
The longest ace of the year, an astonishing 215 yards, was made by Gregor Howard of Winston-Salem, N.C., on the 16th hole at Tanglewood Park Golf Club in Clemmons, N.C., using his 3-hybrid in March. The shortest hole-in-one, a tie at 63 yards, was achieved by two golfers: Barbara Johnessee from Pinehurst, N.C., who aced the 3rd hole at Pinehurst Country Club’s Cradle Course with her 8-iron in June, and Caroline Ellerbe from Highlands, N.C., who aced the 3rd hole at Cullasaja Club using her 5-wood in August.
Golf for All Ages
The universal appeal of golf was showcased in August at the Cullasaja Club in Highlands, N.C. Ten-year-old Collin Yohe of West Palm Beach, Fla., made a hole-in-one on the 17th hole from 129 yards with an 8-iron. Remarkably, 90-year-old Caroline Ellerbe of Highlands, N.C. also achieved a hole-in-one on the same day at the same club, using her 5 wood to cover the 63 yards to the pin on the 3rd hole. Golf truly spans generations!
One is Not Enough
While many golfers dream of a single hole-in-one, some CGA members achieved multiple aces in 2024. Brian Gaeng, from Ocean Isle Beach, NC, had the round of a lifetime on the Lion’s Paw course at Ocean Ridge Plantation in June, making two hole-in-ones in a single round. He aced the 3rd hole (playing 117 yards) and the 11th hole (playing 120 yards), both using his trusty 9 iron.
Other notable multiple-ace achievers in 2024 include:
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Gregg Gooding, Raleigh, N.C.: Aced the 4th hole (200 yards with a 5-wood) in May and the 6th hole (167 yards with a 7-iron) in June at Wildwood Green Golf Club.
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Phillip Nissen, West End, N.C.: Aced the 7th hole (124 yards with a 7-iron) in July and again with a 6-iron in August at Seven Lakes Golf Course.
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Joey Stoker, Sanford, N.C.: Aced the 11th hole (165 yards with a 9-wood) in August and the 14th hole (107 yards with a 50° wedge) in December at Sanford Golf Course.
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Randy Thomas, Morehead City, N.C.: Aced the 9th hole (127 yards with an 8-iron) in July and the 2nd hole (135 yards with an 8-iron) in September at Morehead City Country Club.
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Gordon Wicke, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.: Aced the 11th hole (131 yards with a 7-iron) in January and the 6th hole (124 yards with an 8-iron) in November on the Tiger’s Eye course at Ocean Ridge Plantation.
CGA Member Club Participation
The CGA’s member clubs played a pivotal role in promoting player engagement with the CGAcers Club. Among the top clubs for 2024 hole-in-one submissions were:
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Ocean Ridge Plantation: 20 hole-in-ones reported
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The Clubs at St. James: 15 hole-in-ones reported
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Wildwood Green Golf Club: 14 hole-in-ones reported
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Shadowmoss Golf & Country Club: 13 hole-in-ones reported
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The Walker Course at Clemson University: 8 hole-in-ones reported
Annual Contest Winners
The CGA is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 CGAcer Hole-in-One Club Contest, selected in a random drawing from all CGA members who submitted a hole-in-one in 2024. This year’s winners are:
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Ann Green, a member at The Golf Club at Indigo, who made her ace at Waterford Golf Club in October.
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Francis Manfredi, a member at Ocean Ridge Plantation, made his hole-in-one on the Tiger’s Eye course, in November.
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Yvonne MacGregor, a member at The Golf Club of Hilton Head Lakes, made her ace in September on her home course.
Prizes for the contest winners include CGA merchandise and other golf essentials.
Entries Open for 2025
The CGA invites all members to join the CGAcers Club by reporting their hole-in-ones in 2025. Prizes will be awarded in a random drawing, with the deadline for submissions set for January 15, 2026. Members can find the submission form and additional details at www.carolinasgolf.org/cgacers