Sports

Madison Golfer Sinks Hole In One

Anthony Giannone Sr.'s shot went straight and 'rolled until we couldn't see it no more.'

Anthony Giannone Sr. has been golfing with a few friends from Madison once a week in the warmer months for the past two decades, and this summer finally shot a hole in one.

"It took 79 years but I got one," he said.

Giannone, who turns 79 next week, achieved the feat June 27 on the sixth hole at Sunset Valley Golf Course in Pequannock.

The flag for the par 3 was 166 yards uphill.

"It was a nice day, I felt comfortable and I just took out my Rescue club," he said.

His shot went straight and "rolled until we couldn't see it no more."

He and his two golf buddies who were with him, brothers James and Stephen Doherty, weren't sure at first if it had gone in. They celebrated when they saw it had.

Giannone plans to hit the links in Flanders on Thursday.

"We'll give it a shot up there," he said.

He's not the first in that trio to hit a hole in one. James Doherty has shot four holes in one over the years, and he was with him for two of them, he said.

Giannone said he loves playing golf and frequents the Morris County courses.

"It's challenging," he said of the sport. "You play in all kinds of weather, you've got all elements. We just enjoy playing. It's good exercise. It's a good way to get out with your friends."

A retired HVAC mechanic, Giannone has lived in Madison his whole life except for a couple of years in the 1950s when he active in the military police serving in Germany. He has four sons, is a volunteer Madison firefighter, and lives with his wife, Phyllis.

Sinking the hole in one at Sunset Valley was part of an enjoyable day, and he wouldn't mind replicating the feat.

"I look forward to getting another one again some day hopefully," he said.


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