Local veterinarian Dr. Toby Atkinson recently accomplished what most recreational golfers can only dream of, when he sank a hole-in-one on the 12th hole at Andalusia Country Club.

“I remember it being pretty windy that afternoon,” Atkinson said.” I usually use my seven iron there, but because of the wind I decided to go with my five iron to get more control of it.”

This wasn’t the first time that Atkinson has experienced the joys of sinking the elusive hole-in-one shot. Atkinson had his first hole-in-one about 15 years ago.

“I had my first hole-in-one awhile back, but it was pure luck,” Atkinson said. “On that first one I hit a bad shot, and got fortunate that it went in.”

The next hole-in-one was different though.

“The way that hole is set up, and with the wind that day I was able to set the ball in a position in my stance where I was able to play a draw,” Atkinson said. “I was able to bounce on the green right where I wanted to. I guess I was lucky to get a good hit on, but there wasn’t as much luck involved in this one as there was the first one.”

Atkinson said he had few witnesses for the hole-in-one, including Steve Barlow.

“When you get a hole-in-one it is tradition that after the round you buy the first round of drinks in the clubhouse,” Atkinson said. “Thankfully, the guys took it easy on me, and the cokes didn’t cost me too much.”