A Florida golfer defied the odds, racking up three holes in one in the past six months, all while swinging one-handed.
According to the National Golf Foundation, the odds of an amateur golfer hitting a hole in one are 12,600 to 1. The odds of what 68-year-old Bill Hilsheimer of Nokomis (Florida) accomplished could short-circuit a calculator.
His most recent was last week at the 157-yard, par 3 13th hole at the Bird Bay Executive Golf Course in Venice. In January, he aced a 157-yard hole at the Gulf Gate course in Sarasota and in September, he had another ace on a 105-yard hole on a course in Ohio.
Not bad for a player who lost most of his right hand 59 years ago when he was run over by a train in Columbus, Ohio. Hilsheimer, who has a 15 handicap, doesn't use his right arm when he swings.
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Hilsheimer's injury occurred when he and friends were scurrying home after playing on a river bank. As Hilsheimer ran between railroad cars, the train jerked as it started and he fell over the coupling. The wheel ran over his hand, pinning him on the rail.
Hilsheimer's right hand was cut almost in half. He is missing most of the thumb and first two fingers, as well as much of the palm.
"It could have been worse; it could have been my head," he said.
Despite the accident, Hilsheimer played football, basketball and baseball in high school, winning 13 letters and becoming an all-state linebacker. He took up golf at 16.
"No one ever told me I couldn't do it," he said. "I'd like to think I'm an inspiration for people. They should say, 'If that guy can do it, anybody can do it.'"
Bill's right -- he's certainly an inspiration to all of us, whether you play golf or not.
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