Unni Haskell • Amateur
Last year my husband and I moved from Connecticut to St. Petersburg. I decided, since my husband has played golf his entire life since 8 years old, that I would take up golf. I have been playing tennis for many years but thought it would be nice to have another sport together.
Consequently, I called Mangrove/Cypress Links and was lucky enough to get a lesson with Rick Sopka. He made it interesting and fun so I signed up for 6 one half hour lessons. I was really enjoying the challenge and on the 8th lesson, he suggested we have a putting lesson. However, I was anxious to see what it would be like on the actual course, instead of the driving range. I asked if we could try the course and he suggested Cypress, which is a par three course. So, out we went. We got to the first tee and I tried to remember what he taught me. I lined up the ball to the hole, didn't take a practice swing, lined up the ball with a leaf in front of me, asked Rick if that was good and as the whole world knows, my first swing ever on a golf course, was a hole-in-one!!
Rick went wild as he saw the ball going into the whole, an experience that I didn't see or understand. We went up to the green and sure enough, the ball was in the cup!!!
I am still taking lessons as Rick has made it so enjoyable and I am learning a lot. I now play with my husband who says it's difficult playing with a celebrity but he's impressed and we are now enjoying golf together.