In small town Rockdale Texas, the 6th Annual Rockdale High School Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament was held at the city’s own Rockdale Country Club. For the past five years, the alumni association has put together this golf event in attempt to maintain the camaraderie of Rockdale High School alumni and students. John Shoemake woke up that morning treating it as “a typical hot, Texas day” and never imagined how atypical the day would prove to be.
John is an alumnus of Rockdale High School, and this was not his first appearance at this tournament or the golf course. He approached the first hole just as he would have any other hole. Being a golfer for upward of 50 years, he hadn’t ever made a hole in one. Though conscience of the prize, John said “for my age, a 173-yard par three is very difficult” and so, he did not have very high expectations for himself.
The hole was a straight shot to the pin and John just “took a nice and easy swing.” This ended up being his best swing in 50 years of golfing, as the ball hit the front of the green, and rolled directly into the hole. Before celebrating, John had to validate his shot with the other members of his foursome, as he was unsure if his eyes were deceiving him! On the first hole of the day, he made his first hole in one ever, for a new Ford F-150 from Rockdale Country Ford.
John was playing with a randomly drawn foursome. After making the hole in one on his first shot of the day, he had to reassure them this was not consistent with his average game. He spoke of the prize as “a blessing” and laughed at himself as he had contemplated all week as to whether or not he would play. Lucky for him, he finally decided to participate three days before the outing. He spoke highly of the dealership saying, “they were a pleasure to work with and made the process hassle-free.” It was a great day for John as well as the participating alumni.
Everyone involved enjoyed being a part of John’s “blessed” win. As for John, he “will undoubtedly be returning next year”. The entire team at the Ford Hole in One Program/J. Ryder Group are thrilled about John’s hole in one and congratulate both him and the awesome team at Rockdale Country Ford on their very exciting day!
