In a remarkable display of skill and consistency, Ron Basile, a resident of Aiken, South Carolina, has accomplished a feat that few golfers can claim: he has made holes-in-one on all five par-3 holes at Aiken Golf Club. This achievement is particularly impressive, considering the odds of making a hole-in-one for the average amateur golfer are approximately 12,500 to 1.
Basile, who has been a regular at Aiken Golf Club since retiring in 2008, has recorded nine holes-in-one over the past 18 years. His latest ace came just last month on the 11th hole, which is often regarded as one of the most challenging par-3 holes on the course. "Normally I’m on up the upslope," Basile recounted. "I couldn’t find the ball, so I went up and there it was. Of all the holes-in-one, I’ve only seen one go in."
Playing from the senior tees, Basile used a driver for his shot, demonstrating that while he may not hit the ball as far as he once did, his accuracy remains sharp. He humorously noted, "They call me 'Down the Middle'"—a testament to his precision off the tee.
To date, Basile has achieved seven aces at Aiken Golf Club, including three on the fourth hole and one each on the ninth, eleventh, sixteenth, and eighteenth holes. Additionally, he has made holes-in-one at other notable courses, including the challenging par-3 16th at Palmetto Golf Club and another at Hickory Knob in McCormick, South Carolina. His accomplishment is so rare that no other golfer at Aiken Golf Club has been reported to have made holes-in-one on all of the par-3 holes.
Jim McNair Jr., the owner of Aiken Golf Club, praised Basile's achievements, stating, "For Ron to score that many holes-in-one in such a short period of time since his retirement is a pretty amazing feat. I’m sure most of the golfers that play Aiken Golf Club would agree due to the difficulty of our five par-3s. Congratulations to Ron, well done."
Basile attributes his success to maintaining an active lifestyle. He plays golf four to five times a week, stays engaged with other activities, and enjoys walking a mile after his rounds. "You gotta keep busy. That’s the main thing," he explained. Golfing is a family affair for Basile, as his wife, Becky, along with their son Jay and grandson Chandler, are all enthusiastic golfers.
With nearly 200 rounds of golf played each year, Basile believes that his frequent play significantly improves his chances of making aces. "It’s really a thrill to get a hole-in-one," he remarked. In golf culture, it’s customary for a golfer who scores a hole-in-one to buy drinks for their fellow players, but Basile finds this to be a lighthearted concern. "A lot of guys I play with don’t drink," he laughed.
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