AN IPSWICH golfer has proved he really is number one in the golfing world when he scored his first hole-in-one, on the first hole he played, on the first day of 2006.

AN IPSWICH golfer has proved he really is number one in the golfing world when he scored his first hole-in-one, on the first hole he played, on the first day of 2006.

Alan Turner, 56 of Grasmere Close, Ipswich, has been playing golf for around six years and is a regular at St Clement's golf club in Foxhall Road.

His lucky shot came on New Year's Day at the course's 165-yard opening hole, which has a par three.

It is believed it could be the first hole-in-one anywhere in the country in 2006.

He said: “I couldn't see the hole from where I was but I saw the people at the second hole jumping up and thought perhaps I'd got the shot on the green.

“When I walked up there I couldn't see my ball and then when I moved the flag I realised it was in the hole.

“I think I might have jumped up and down a bit but I couldn't really believe it. It felt a bit weird really.”

Mr Turner, who plays at St Clement's about once a week and has a handicap of 15, took the shot using a seven iron.

He celebrated in the traditional manner by buying everyone who was on the course, including his playing partners Paul Amass and Trevor and Dee Hedges, a drink in the bar.

He said: “Luckily there weren't too many people playing otherwise I think I'd be a bit skint!”

Mr Turner, a stores manager in a warehouse, has kept the ball as a lucky charm.

He said: “I'm not going to use it again. I'm going to keep it safe as I think it must be very lucky.”

It is not the first time he has tasted sporting success but he used to be good at a very different ball game.

Before taking up golf he was a keen snooker player, winning the Suffolk Championships in 1973.

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