Haberlin Has Hole-in-One Hot Streak

When Tam Valley resident Dave Haberlin hit a hole-in-one on the 130-yard fifth hole at Mill Valley Golf Course earlier this month, he achieved a once-in-a-lifetime feat for most avid golfers, even top professionals.

For Haberlin, however, this was the sixth time he found the bottom of the cup from the tee. The retired San Francisco firefighter, who carries a handicap of eight, has hit six aces in his life, including three in the last decade and five in the past 16 years.

"I think it's luck," the 72-year-old Haberlin said. "I hit the ball pretty straight, but for the ball to go in the hole, you need a little luck. It could just as easily hit the pin and roll 10 feet away."

Haberlin, who's lived in Mill Valley since 1968, knows he's in select company with a half-dozen aces. At a tournament at Santa Rosa Country Club two weeks ago, he played with a guy who struck his first hole-in-one after 60 years on the links.

Three of Haberlin's holes-in-one have occurred at Mill Valley Golf Course, where he plays at least once a week. His first occurred more than 20 years ago at the par-3 Golden Gate Park Golf Course in San Francisco. He landed one at Oakmont Golf Club in 1994, hitting a 7-iron on the 150-yard hole. At Diablo Creek Golf Course in 2005, he struck a wedge on the 100-yard 17th hole.

Haberlin plays golf three days a week, and while knows he's been lucky, he's not ready to stop at six.

"I'm going to get more," he said.