Swampscott man makes hole-in-one at tournament

SWAMPSCOTT – Swampscott resident Paul Solaqua made history at the town?s annual golf tournament when he became the first player in eight years to make a hole-in-one.Solaqua said he didn?t even see it happen. After teeing off, he drove down to the hole in the golf cart at Tedesco Country Club and asked the marshal, “Where?s my ball?”?I couldn?t believe it,” said Solaqua about the ball sitting neatly in the cup. “You see the pros do it, but it doesn?t happen.”Even for the pros, a hole-in-one is rare. According to Golf Digest, a member of the Professional Golf Player?s Association?s chances at a hole-in-one are one in 3,756. For an amateur like Solaqua, who has only been playing five years, the odds are one in 12,750.In addition to a $500 “head to toe” golf outfit gift certificate from golf designer Travis Mather, Solaqua earned bragging rights for life and many congratulatory handshakes from his fellow players. Tournament organizer and Town Accountant Dave Castellarin called it “something to retire on.”Solaqua said he took a photo with his cellphone and called to share the news with a golf-enthusiast friend, and would also be telling his golf instructor. But what he was most looking forward to right off the green was a post-tournament drink.Solaqua said he had almost missed out on the tournament to attend his 50th college reunion at Boston College but chose to stay in the tournament instead.?I?m glad I did,” said Solaqua.Castellarin, who co-organized the annual tournament with Recreation Director Danielle Strauss, said there were 106 players during Monday?s event, which raised funds for the Fourth of July festivities. Although a final tally had not been made, participants paid $140 per person.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].