Golfer admits faking hole-in-one

A US amateur golfer has admitted faking a hole-in-one at a tournament in Missouri, calling his actions “complete stupidity” and saying he had made a “terrible mistake”.

Zach Holland, a plus-two handicapper and former college golfer, secretly placed his ball in the cup at the fourth hole at WingHaven Country Club before his group arrived.

He then told playing partners he had hit his tee shot but did not know where the ball had gone. When they found it in the hole, they celebrated what they believed was a genuine ace.

However, staff became suspicious because nobody had witnessed the shot. Holland eventually confessed after being confronted, with security footage showing him driving near the fourth hole before his tee time, although there was no footage of him actually placing the ball in the cup.

The tournament featured a hole-in-one prize pot.

Holland has since resigned his club membership and said he accepts the consequences of his actions, particularly because he fears losing the trust of his wife and the impact on his two young children.

“I made a terrible mistake, the lack of moral character,” Holland admitted. “I made a bad decision and I have to suffer the consequences.”

WingHaven said the matter had been promptly addressed and was now considered closed, stressing the importance of integrity in golf.