The true story of "Doctor Eagle" and the "lost ball"

This true story happened on one of those memorable Clubcups, I will never forget. Dieter, the Doctor and I were playing in one flight, which was rather no surprise at all, since we have an almost identical handicap. Kalle, the marshal, checked that we had our pitchforks and gave us the advice; "Play speedy". We all nodded in agreement and the fun started.

Full of beans, the doctor and Dieter hit their balls into the bushes on the left hand side, and I, for a change hit the ball towards the out of bounds on the right. With all our routine, we played a provisional ball; Dieter and I quite acceptable, the doctor about 10 meters longer than the first one, but at least you could see the fairway from there in the distance.

After searching for a short time, the doctor found of course the first ball (the one with the Uncle Ben?s logo) in the bushes and decided to declare the ball as unplayable and to tee off again.

So, we started the tournament with 7 tee-offs and had already proven our idea of "Playing speedy" on the first hole. But what does that have to do with the actual story? Nothing, of course, but you shall always begin with the beginning.

Our flight had reached third tee and it is no secret that so far we had not gained many points. All the more reason to be happy with the drives that were able to produce on the third tee. The doctor placed his ball exactly in the middle of the fairway by the 150 meter stone, Dieter a bit to the right and I a bit to the left of the fairway bunker. The doctors 2nd stroke flew wonderfully along the left fairway side. And because he reassured us that he "only wanted a lay-up with his 6 iron", we were pretty sure that the ball would be in front of the green.

In good spirits, we walked across the fairway and soon we reached the mentioned spot - but the doctor's ball was nowhere to be seen. Right away the doctor and Dieter began to search the rough on the left and removed themselves further and further from the green. My assurance that the ball could no be there, since it had been the right of the tree and thus on the fairway did not help.

So I want alone towards the green and glanced at the bunker. No ball. I do not know what made me walk onto the green and look into the hole - maybe it was the conviction that the ball had to have ?a good position?.

From the hole the ?Uncle Ben? smiled at me! I hesitated?Should I leave those two searching? Should I let the doctor go back and have him play another ball for the assumed lost one? The fun and his puzzled face would have been worth it. But I decided otherwise and called them both. The surprise and joy on their faces about this Eagle were worth it. This amazing stroke was rewarded with SIX points! To draw the complete picture, I should mention that the doctor barely stayed within the buffer zone that day, and was able to keep his handicap. But still, I will never forget that day and that stroke!