'NE proved to be the magic number for up and coming golfer Gary Breakey last month, as he hit the first shot of his round straight into the first hole.

And it was the first carded hole-in-one at the opening hole at Knights Grange in the new millennium.

Breakey, who attends Verdin High School, isnt even a a member of the Winsford club yet and he doesnt have a handicap, having only started playing regularly last Christmas.

It was, therefore, a complete surprise for the 15-year-old, who thought he hadnt even made the green.

I was just starting my round and hit my tee shot as normal with a seven iron, said Gary, of Swanlow Avenue.

It bounced off the corner of a bunker and I thought it had gone behind the flag. My mate told me it had gone in the hole, but I didnt believe him.

I was gobsmacked when I saw the ball in the hole. Ive hit the flag lots of times and it hasnt gone in.

Starting with an ace set the tone for an excellent round for Gary, who blitzed the nine-hole course in just 36 shots, three over par.

Ive been playing more since breaking up from school, but dont have a handicap yet, he added. But Ill be applying to Vale Royal Abbey for membership next year.