Ben Bender decided to go out on top. The 93-year-old from Ohio had been playing golf for 65 years when he hit his first-ever hole-in-one last month and promptly announced he had played his final ever round.
Bender took up golf at the age of 28 but had never aced a hole until his last round. “I’d come close to some hole-in-ones, but this one was level on the green before it curved towards the hole and went in,” Bender told the Zanesville Times Recorder. “I was in awe watching it. I played a few more holes, but my hips were hurting and I had to stop. It seemed the Lord knew this was my last round so he gave me a hole-in-one.”
Bender’s shot came on the 152-yard third hole at Ohio’s Green Valley golf course. His form had been patchy until then – he had shot an eight and a seven on the first two holes.
Bender was an accomplished golfer in his prime and said he played off a three handicap at one point. “I was lucky to play golf this long, but I never expected [a hole-in-one],” he said. “It was the last time I was able to play, and I think God had a hand in this. I loved the game and hate to give it up, but I can’t play forever.”
