Schroeder Records First Career Ace in Practice Round

10/14/2007 3:27:29 PM

RIDGEFIELD, Wash. – Sophomore Nicholas Schroeder (Silverton, Ore.) recorded his first-ever hole-in-one in Sunday afternoon's practice round at Tri-Mountain Golf Course, as Corban's men's & women's golf teams prepared for the second Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament of the season.

Playing the 196-yard par 3 17th hole, Schroeder pulled out his five iron and roped a straight shot that never left the line of the flag. Without hitting the green or the flag, the 6-foot-1 right-hander's ball went straight into the hole.

"I never saw the ball," said Schroeder. "The ball never bounced, the sun was setting, and there was a little shrub that impeded my vision. I had to rely on my fellow playing partners to let me know where the ball ended up."

Senior Ben Sisler (Corvallis, Ore.) and assistant coach Mark Colachico both thought that the ball had gone in the hole, but visibility was getting tough as the sun was setting quickly.

After everyone in the group hit, Schroeder quickly walked to the green and slowly approached the cup wondering if his partners' premonitions had come true. Upon viewing the hole, Schroeder fell to the ground and then pulled the ball out of the cup.

"This was a legit hole-in-one," said third-year head coach Ron Sisler. "A lot of people get an ace on the short par 3s, but Nic was able to put a prize on his mantle on the longest par 3 on the course."

With the ace, Schroeder moved to 1-under on the day and finished his 18-hole practice round with a 71 to pace the Warriors on the afternoon.