Ace in Florida by Legally Blind Man
Legally blind golfer makes a hole in one : adapted from Times Staff Writer RODNEY PAGE’s story
This is Leo E. Fiyalko. He is speaking to the members at Cove Cay Country Club . Fiyalko is 92 and legally blind! This story really touched my heart, and reminded me of my own hole in one experience when I was 13 years old. I thought I had hit a bad shot that went off the back of the green. After looking for the ball, I decided to check the hole … and there it was.
Leo said, “All I was interested in was getting on the green.”
I guess just as I, the surprise was a bit more than just a good day, it was one that was a highlight of my life on the golf course.
The big event happened on the 110-yard, par-3 fifth hole at Cove Cay Country Club in Clearwater Florida. After 60 years of playing golf, the rarest of shots finally occured. “It was my first hole in one, and I never saw it” said Fiyalko
The feat came on Jan. 10 when Fiyalko and his group teed it up for their weekly nine-hole best-ball outing. The group of 20 to 40 golfers, who range in age from 70 to 90-plus, have gathered every Thursday afternoon during the winter for at least 20 years.
In his prime, Fiyalko played to a seven handicap, but now he needs help lining up his shots and finding his golf balls. A seven handicap? Not to bad! I have struggled for years to have a single digit handicap. I plan on playing golf for a long time to come. That is what is so great about golf in my opinion. You can continue to enjoy the sport for such a long time.
Congratulations Leo, I salute you from the frozen tundras of Minnesota. I wish you well, and also wish I could just get “one” round in soon.
Hollydale Golf Notes 
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