NO-ONE could have had a more ace time than golfer Philip Sinton in ringing out the old year and welcoming in the new.

The 47-year-old York Golf Club player notched a hole in one at the Strensall-based course on the penultimate day of 2004.

Four days later he repeated the same single-shot feat on the second day of 2005 to complete a quite momentous double.

Recalled Sinton of his Yuletide cheer: "I was quite taken aback when the second one went in so soon after the first. It was certainly a different way of starting the New Year."

The seven-handicapper's ace opener on the Strensall circuit, where he has been a member for the past six years, was at the notoriously tricky pond hole seventh, where he caned a nine-iron shot that hit the green three feet beyond the pin before screwing back into the hole.

Even better was to come. During his next round an eight-iron shot pitched three inches away from the par-three second hole before nestling snugly into the cup.

"There were 12 of us playing in our event and every time we neared one of the other three par-three holes on the course some were 'come on then, let's have another one," chuckled Sinton, who hails from Knapton, and who had to twice provide the customary bottle of whisky on the bar for members to have a celebratory tipple.

Indeed, Sinton, an illustrator for English Heritage, is no stranger to ace antics. The two holes in one at York Golf Club take his tally to five bagged since he first started playing almost 40 years ago. All three previous holes in one were at Aldwark Manor GC, where he used to be a member.

Forest of Galtres Golf Club in Wigginton will donate all green fees from play on Sunday, January 23 to the national appeal for the Asian tsunami disaster. Players can book a tee-time by ringing the club's professional shop on 01904 766198.

Updated: 10:59 Wednesday, January 12, 2005