Hole of Fame
To recognize members who have achieved the most improbable feat in golf, a hole-in-one. Here they are:
Welcome to Phil-Am Golf Association
Hole of Fame
To recognize members who have achieved the most improbable feat in golf, a hole-in-one. Here they are:
When : Oct 1, 2025
Where : Hole # 17 @ Poppy Ridge Championship Course
Yardage : 94 yds
Club : Beres 10 Iron
Ball : Prov1X
Foursome : Ed Bagsik, Raul Ricarfort, Ed Salaguban
Gerry Galvan proves lightning can indeed strike twice when he made his 2nd Hole-in-One . Playing in the newly renovated Poppy Ridge Championship Course with friends, GG, as he is fondly called, took aim at the short 94 yds 17th hole and delivered the no longer "once in a lifetime" feat. The feat has a deeper significance to Gerry as it was witnessed by his closest friends and "rival". The shot landed a few feet past the hole and the sloping back- to-front green spunned it back into the hole.
Once again , Ed Bagsik was a witness to Gerry's incredible shot, and this time he didn't second guess (see GG first HIO write-up).
When : June 8, 2025
Where : Hole # 7 @ Coyote Creek Valley
Yardage : 162 yds
Club : Honma 8 Iron
Ball :
Foursome : Noel Macalalad, Tamas Arfalvi, Eladio Mina
Archie Macahito delivered the shot of a lifetime at the 12th Bayanihan Golf Tournament held at the Coyote Creek Valley Course, where 144 players competed for team glory. On the par-3 Hole #7, Archie took aim at the right side of the green, carefully navigating the pond that guards the front.
Using a Honma 8-iron, he struck a solid shot that landed safely on the right side of the green. Then, like a scene out of a golf fairy tale, the ball began to roll left—slowly tracking across the slope—until it disappeared into the hole.
It was Archie’s very first hole-in-one, and the moment was met with cheers and disbelief. He won a a special prize: a collectors item, Scotty Cameron, putter.
When : April 21, 2024
Where : Hole # 6 @ Callippe Preserve
Yardage : 116 yds
Club : 8 Iron
Ball :
Foursome : Ed Simeon, Greg Malicad, Ramon Corpuz
Using an 8 iron on Par 116 yards on hole # 6 at Callippe Preserve, Orville Ventura made a once-in-a-lifetime feat by making a hole-in-one. It was his first after playing golf for decades. Following golf traditions, Orville bought drinks for everyone. The golf course awarded him a replica of the flag on hole # 6. PAGA gifted him with a box of Titleist Pro-V1. A plaque, commemorating his achievement, will be awarded at the end of the year.
When : Dec 11, 2021
Where : Hole # 7 @ Metropolitan Golf Links
Yardage : 110 yds
Club : 9 Iron PXG
When : November 30, 2020
Where : Hole # 2 @ Poppy Hills
Yardage : 134 yds
Club : Honma Beres IS 06 8 iron
Ball : Callaway Hex
Foursome with : Ed Bagsik, Joji Escoto, Nelson Galvan
A few friends from PAGA club drove to Poppy Hills, Monterey this early morning to catch a round of golf on this cyber Monday. It was a chance to unwind after a hectic Thanksgiving holiday. The big event on this day is supposed to be the 4th round match play between the only 2 unbeaten players ( Ed B & Joji) in the Match Play competition. They were joined by Nelson and Gerry (Galvans) to form a foursome that teed off at 9 am. Little did anyone expect a bigger event was about to unfold.
On the 2nd hole, the Pin was tucked behind a bunker on the left side of the green. After seeing a few tee shots bailed out to the right to avoid falling short in the bunker, Gerry proclaimed with confidence " See me attack the pin, you bunch of cowards" while somewhat gazing at Ed B's way (dagdag na na lang iyon huli para may controversy 😂). He pulled his Honma Beres IS 06 8-iron...placed his Callaway Hex ball (from Costco) on a plastic yellow tee that was just protruding so slightly from the ground.. and took aim at the pin, 134 yards away. Swoosh! The ball proudly glided up in the cool morning air. It landed softly on the green, a couple of feet on the right side of the pin then rolled to its left and disappeared! Nelson blurted out "Hole in one !?", not really sure whether it was a declarative or an interrogative sentence. Ed, I guess still smarting from the coward comment, said, "We should have heard something if it fell into the hole. It could have rolled off the back of the green. I know I heard a sound when I MADE a HOLE IN ONE before" (just reminding us in case we all forgot that HE made a hole-in-one before).
Upon reaching the green, Ed, the first to get there saw a ball in the hole. Instead of rejoicing for his friend, Ed asked Gerry " What kind of ball are you using? 😆😆
When : December 28, 2020
Where : Hole # 11 @ Poppy Hills
Yardage : 150 yds
Club : Honma 8 Iron
Ball : Titleist Pro V1
Foursome with : Gerry Galvan, Ed Bagsik, Alex Magat
Playing in a foursome with cousin Gerry, Ed Bagsik, and a friend from Socal (Alex Magat), Nelson made an ace on Poppy Hills' hole 11. Nelson remembered the day vividly. The pace of play was moving slowly. Seemingly, to impress to the group behind them that they were not the reason for the slow play, they all aimed for the pin (tucked to the left side of the green). Gerry went first, landing 20-30 ft away from the pin. EdB played next and was a mere 10 ft. Alex's shot was short to the right of the bunker. Then Nelson using his account described his shot " The pin was on the left side with a large bunker guarding it. I aimed for the right edge of the left bunker just trying to be safe in the middle of the green. I hit my shot - swoosh I got the line I wanted. Then it drew. Landed close to the pin, 1-hop then rolled into the hole!". Quite a few other players from other groups were able to witness the rare event. Nelson was able to receive some memorabilia from NCGA and Titleist.
Gerry and EdB got their Hole-In-Ones on this same course if you are observant enough. So go play Poppy Hills!
When : August 20, 2010
Where : Hole # 4 @ Del Monte Golf Course
Yardage : 170 yds
Club : 8 Iron Callaway
Ball :Titleist Prov
Threesome with : Den Luzon and Nick Abriol
This is the day; this is the moment…. One week prior, Raul, an employee of Pebble Beach Resorts invited us to play golf at Pebble Beach Golf Course, probably the most prestigious, most popular golf course in the world. Playing at Pebble Beach is the culmination of a lifelong dream. The excitement and anticipation were overwhelming. The night before was like an eternal doldrum waiting for the morning to come. Mental preparation was unending. All my cheat sheets are ready identifying all the clubs to use in every tee box. When the morning finally arrived, I summoned all the thoughts I had framed in my mind in anticipation of this eventful day. The tiger inside of me roared and was ready to prowl along the fairways. Dressed in a red polo shirt, paired with black pants and a TW black cap. I felt every inch like Tiger Woods ready to play like him. Is this the most significant day in my golfing life?
I met Nick and Den at our rendezvous for a carpool down to Monterey, feeling confident and upbeat. The brightness of the morning sun and the soft, gentle breeze made it a perfect day to play at Pebble Beach! The day before we had all decided to leave early and play a warmup round before heading to our 1pm tee time at Pebble Beach. We secured an 8am tee time at Del Monte Golf Course, which is perfectly located just an exit away from the 17-mile drive where Pebble Beach is situated. As I teed off on the first tee, I felt an unusual surge of energy. What a start as I drove my tee shot down the middle of the fairway. It was not as great as a Tiger Wood shot, but it was a great shot by my standards. As we headed to the #2 & #3 holes, the same rush of adrenaline engulfed me. So far, all my shots were to my satisfaction. Then came the #4-hole, Den hit first, and then Nick. Now it was my turn. The tee box is slightly elevated, the hole is located on the left side of the green, obstructed by a frontside bunker and the wind was slightly right to left. The distance was 170 yards to the pin. At first, I pulled my 7-iron but settled for an 8-iron as I noticed the wind had shifted slightly behind me. With a deep breath and a gentle but steady hold of the 8-iron, the swing felt smooth and effortless. The ball soared high against the blue sky guided by the glitter of the morning sun. The hit felt so good. As the ball landed on the green, cheers erupted from the foursome ahead of us. They were hollering, “Hole in one! Great shot.” As I approached the green, excitement echoed around me and the thrill I felt was overwhelming. It was an unforgettable moment of skill and luck. The joy stayed with me throughout.
What a day, what a moment! A hole-in-one and my first-ever round at Pebble Beach. As a golfer, It cannot be any better than this.
When : March 14, 1999
Where : Hole # 2 @ Poppy Hills
Yardage : 115 yds
Club : 9 Iron
Ball : Maxfli
This was during the early years of PAGA. This happened in an actual PAGA tournament. I witnessed this one. Smartphones were not available then so we couldn't get any pictures. However, these pictures closely represent what transpired.