Fencl, Gaul both card aces at Cresco Country Club

CRESCO - Golf is one of those unique sports that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Don’t believe me? Just ask local sharp-shooters Ken Fencl, age 68, of Protivin and Jackson Gaul, age 16, of Cresco, who both nailed a hole-in-one at the Cresco Country Club earlier this year.

On Aug. 10, Craig Cotant, general manager of Sleepy Hollow Chevrolet/Buick in Cresco, presented both golfers with gold putters at the Cresco Country Club to honor their achievements.

Fencl, who has been golfing for 35 years, has now recorded seven lifetime holes-in-one during his career. His most recent ace came on May 18 in Cresco on hole number eight, which was 120 yards that day. He used a pitching wedge.

“The ball bounced in a way that went against the green,” Fencl said. “It rolled past the cup and then backed up into the cup. It probably never should have gone in. The ball took a U-turn.

“I was golfing that day with Pat Slifka, his son, Zach, Tom Kubik and Chuck Malek. I didn’t even see the ball go in. I turned away and Zach hollered, ‘It went in!’ He didn’t exactly say it with those specific words but had a little different description.

“This was a major surprise. The ball wasn’t drifting towards the hole. It was to the left of the hole but then bounced right (before it went in the hole),” Fencl said.

He added that carding a  hole-in-one never loses its luster.

“Last year I had two holes-in-one before getting one this year,” Fencl said. “At my age, I’m not expecting to get any, but all of a sudden, the ball is going in.

“I enjoy the challenge of trying to play golf well. I play two or three times a week. The Cresco Country Club is my favorite course. I also belong to Jackson Heights (in Jackson Junction). The Cresco course is more challenging, which is nice,” Fencl said.

Jackson Gaul comments

Jackson Gaul has been golfing for only two years and was thrilled to record his first hole-in-one during a chilly day on April 7 in Cresco. Gaul is the son of Al Gaul and Missy Mayer.

Gaul’s ace also came on hole eight, which was 126 yards that day. He used a seven-iron on the hole.

“The ball hit the left side of the green on the fringe, hit the pin and bounced in the hole,” Gaul said. “It was very exciting  to get a hole-in-one. I didn’t think it was going in but I got lucky with the bounce.”

Gaul’s golfing partners that day included: Dane Curtin, Luke Drtina, Owen Korsmo and Jace Pedretti.