Rollins Aces His Way to a New Boat at Celebrity Golf Event
Former MLB Star Claims Prize with Hole-in-One at American Century Championship
Former MLB All-Star Jimmy Rollins experienced a career first on Saturday, sinking a hole-in-one at the American Century Championship and winning a brand-new boat. Though not in contention for the tournament title, his exceptional shot brought jubilation to the course.
A Career-Defining Shot
Rollins struck a perfect drive on the par-3 12th hole, watching as the ball rolled directly into the cup for an ace. The spectacular play ignited a massive celebration among spectators and competitors alike. In his excitement, Rollins even attempted to jump into his newly won vessel.
Tournament Standings
The victory, however, was limited to the boat prize. Rollins finished the day tied for 45th place. Leaders Joe Pavelski and Taylor Twellman were positioned at 44 points heading into the final day of the modified Stableford format tournament held at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Nevada. Country music artist Jake Owen trailed them by three points.
A Tradition of Aces
This marks the third consecutive year the American Century Championship has witnessed a hole-in-one. Last year, former NFL player Tim Brown achieved the feat, also winning a boat. In 2023, NBA star Stephen Curry secured the same prize with his own ace.
Rollins’ Baseball Legacy
Jimmy Rollins enjoyed an illustrious 17-season career in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Philadelphia Phillies. A three-time All-Star and former MVP, he was a key player in the Phillies’ 2008 World Series victory. After 15 years with Philadelphia, he played one season each with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, retiring in 2016. His career stats include a .264 batting average and 231 home runs.
The prevalence of aces at this celebrity event highlights the blend of skill and chance. In professional golf, holes-in-one are rare but celebrated milestones. For instance, in the 2023 PGA Tour season, there were 56 holes-in-one recorded across all tournaments, a testament to the challenge and excitement of the sport (PGA Tour).