In 2006, Mike Troy became the first player in Shootout history to card a hole-in-one, acing the 130-yard 12th hole with a 9-iron, marking a thrilling moment in the tournament’s history. When the shot fell, Water’s Edge Golf Club erupted into cheers, and his partner Bob Aikens could barely contain his excitement. Few anticipated that nearly 20 years later, Ace’s ace would still stand alone in Shootout history.

“It was an unforgettable moment. We were all watching the ball bounce around, but the sun made it hard to track. When we finally saw it disappear into the hole, it was like time stopped for a second. We couldn’t believe it,” said Aikens, still visibly excited months after the shot.

But Mike Troy, then affectionately called “Ace” by his fellow competitors, remained humble about his achievement. “I’m not much of a golfer, but the game does seem to come easy to me,” he joked. “I’ve been playing for years, but I never thought something like this would happen. It’s a story I’ll tell for the rest of my life.”

Competition committee co-chair Joe Hill reflected on the historical significance of Troy’s shot. “This tournament has seen some amazing plays, but Mike’s hole-in-one takes the cake. It’s not just a great shot—it’s a symbol of the spirit of the Invitational Shootout. It’s about moments like this that bring everyone together and make the event so special. Mike will always be part of our tournament’s history,” Hill said with a proud smile.

Mickey McDonnell, a longtime competitor and friend to many in the tournament, couldn’t agree more. “Every year, we see amazing golf, but a hole-in-one like that? That’s the stuff legends are made of. Mike wasn’t just the talk of the tournament, he became a legend of it. There’s something about a perfect shot that resonates with all of us, even if we’re not the ones hitting it,” McDonnell remarked. “It’s moments like these that remind us why we love this game.”

Troy’s ace became the talk of the town, and although he’s no longer with us, his place in the history of the Invitational Shootout is firmly cemented. As for the rest of the field, they’ll be looking for a way to replicate the magic of Mike “Ace” Troy, knowing that his 12th hole will forever be etched in Shootout lore.