One hole-in-one is memorable, how about two? Hanover residents go back-to-back

On the 17th hole at Pembroke Country Club, it only took 11-year-old Cole Mahoney one swing of the club to create a lifelong memory.

“I just saw the ball disappear and my uncle went, ‘Oh my gosh – did that go in,” the fifth-grader from Hanover Middle School remembered.

Mahoney miraculously sunk a hole-in-one during a golf tournament fundraiser held by the Hanover Football Huddle Club to support the Hanover High football team on June 17.

Some might call it a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

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Brian Kelliher, however, a 50-year-old assistant coach of the football team, would prefer to dub it a 'twice-in-one-day' shot.

“We had heard rumors that one of the Mahoney boys had gotten a hole-in-one,” Kelliher recalled. “And then mine went in.”

On the same hole, just minutes apart, Kelliher's drive was an instant replay of Mahoney's. The pair each left the course with a priceless memory, unquestioned smiles and – of course – a reason to come back one day.

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“I didn’t know Cole – I had seen him around town, but didn’t know him," Kelliher said. "I think it’s just a great thing, playing with your dad and your brother. It’s a great memory for them, to get a hole-in-one with all the people from Hanover around supporting the football team. He’s a celebrity.”

Mahoney, who also plays hockey, lacrosse and baseball, said golfing has grown on him for a while. This summer marks his second year on the course, and he's already been a couple of times to welcome the season of warm weather.

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He remembered his father, John, frantically driving the golf cart down to the hole first to check if the ball had really gone in. A celebratory wave of the arms was all the signal Mahoney needed to know it did.

“We just went crazy and my brother tackled me,” Mahoney said.

“He actually gave it a good ride," John Mahoney said. "It was good contact and I thought we’d be in good shape. (My ball) was in the woods somewhere so I was just excited we were going to be on the green."

Kelliher, who is set to enter his sixth season as a defensive-minded contributor to the staff of Hanover High head football coach Chris Landolfi, has been playing golf for most of his life: "I'm not very good, but I like to play," he said.

“It was very memorable. I was playing with some good friends from town, so we were all excited. It was a pretty fun experience to (have) with those guys," Kelliher said. “It was a fun day with friends and supporters of Hanover High School football for that tournament."

With the shot, Mahoney's summer vacation is getting kicked off in an unforgettable way. He now has a one-of-a-kind story, and bragging rights, for when school rings back into session again this fall.

“It’s about going back the next time,” John Mahoney said. “I’m sure the hole-in-one is going to give him confidence to keep going back to the course and enjoying it, which is ultimately (the goal). When you’re having fun, you get better. If it helps him in golf, hockey or the classroom – either way, it’s all good.”