WHAT a tonic for the...doctors.

York Golf Club duo Philippa and Martin Ashley have collectively been playing golf for a shade over 50 years during which each has dreamed of achieving a hole in one.

Wife Philippa even reckoned she would never rattle up the accomplishment of an ace after more than three decades playing the sport she first took up as a youngster in her native Huddersfield.

The eight-handicapper joined York GC 20 years ago, husband Martin also then starting to play.

But just when dreams looked never to be realised, just what the doctors ordered was delivered.

The Ashley household were able to celebrate at the double.

Playing in a social game at the Strensall-based course, Philippa notched her ace on the par-three seventh-hole using a nine-iron.

She recalled: “I watched it go in and I was totally thrilled. I had made my mind up that I would never get a hole in one and now I have.”

However, bragging rights in the Huntington home did not last too long - actually only for a mere 19 days.

For then it was the turn of husband Martin, who plays off 20, to repeat the feat and restore parity to the partnership.

Again in a game with friends, he carded an ace at York GC’s par-three 17th.

Said Philippa: “It was funny how I heard about Martin’s ace as well.

“I rang him about some other matter asking whether he was soon to return home to attend to something when he said he might have to wait a while because he was at the bar having to buy a bottle of whisky (the usual ace achiever’s ‘honour’). I knew then he had also had a hole in one.”

York GC is proving a natural haven for wife and husband wonders.

Just four years ago the same feat was achieved by York GC couple Marie and Don Fairclough. The double-double begs the question, which couple is next?
 

PATRCIA BARBER won a limited-edition BOSS watch for her one shot success.

The 72-year-old scored her ace on the 132-yard, par-three fourth at Malton & Norton GC to earn the timepiece and membership of the exclusive BOSS Watches H1 Club.

The scheme is open to any golfer whose club uses HowDidiDo - a free-to-use, web-based social network for golfers - and anybody playing in official club competitions.