June 3, 2026 I had an amazing nine holes on the back nine at Palo Alto Hills. Playing from the three trees tees, I shot even par. This is the first time that I have ever shot even par on either nine in my thirty-seven years at Palo Alto Hills. I think the back nine is the more difficult of the two nines.
On the par 4 10th, I was in front of the green and I had 2 chips and one putt for bogey.
On the par 3 11th, I was in front of the green and I made a chip and two putts for bogey.
THE MAGIC HAPPENS
On the par five 12th, from just off the right side of the green, pin high, I made a chip and one putt for par.
On the par 4 13th I was just in front of the bunker in front of the green in two and the chip was thin and I thought I hit it off the green, but the ball did a slam dunk into the hole, on the fly, for a birdie. Zero putts.
On the par 4 14th I was in front of the green in two and I made a 40-yard pitch to a back pin to within two feet of the hole and I made a one putt.
On the par 3 15th I was in front of the green on my first shot and I made a chip to within two feet of the pin and made a one putt.
On the par 4 16th my drive was just in front of the fairway bunker, the longest drive I have ever had on the 16th. I hit the green in regulation and I had two putts.
On the par 4 17th my second shot was in the green side bunker on the right of the green and I hit my bunker shot to within three feet and I made a one putt
On the par 5 18th I was on the green in regulation about 12 feet pass the hole and I made a one putt for a birdie.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was two over after two holes and then I shot two under the last seven holes. Amazing!!
I had 10 putts for nine holes. Hey, golf is really easy when you only have 10 putts for nine holes!!
I made five up and downs out of seven attempts. A much higher percentage than normal. The short game is really important in golf.
With such a lucky nine holes, on the course, I bought a five-dollar Mega Millions lottery ticket that night and the ticket was a ten-dollar winner!
It was definitely a lucky day and a day to remember.