LOCAL GOLFER MCDOWELL RECORDS TWO ACES

After a rough morning on the golf course Monday, Mark McDowell decided he hadn't had enough. Good thing, because by the afternoon the day had become his most memorable as a golfer as he lived every player's fantasy twice by dropping in a pair of holes in one.

McDowell, a Cape Girardeau resident, participated in the Missouri State Amateur Tournament qualifying round Tuesday morning at Bent Creek Golf Club in Jackson and came away less than pleased with his performance.

"Let's just say I did not play to my handicap," said McDowell, 4-handicap golfer.

After failing to qualify for the state competition, McDowell headed to Cape Girardeau Country Club, where he is a member, to work out his frustration.

"Coming over here and making two holes in one was the furthest thing from my mind," said McDowell.

On the fifth hole, a 150-yard par 3, McDowell, using a 8 iron, sank the first hole in one of his golfing career. As he was playing alone, McDowell had to track down a nearby groundskeeper to verify the feat.

After playing the front nine, McDowell hooked up with a friend, Mark Simmons, and proceed to replay the front nine holes.

On the eighth hole, 170-yard par 3, the unbelievable happened. Using an 8 iron, McDowell dropped in his second hole in one.

"I was shocked; I couldn't believe it," McDowell said. "No. 8 is a severe uphill par 3.

"Six years is not long to be playing and I have holed out from the fairway before but never on a par 3."