Golfer makes hole-in-one at Special Olympics Canada Summer Games

Taylor Carter's watch thought his hole-in-one was a medical emergency.

The 33-year-old Regina, Sask. golfer's heart was racing so much after acing the 16th hole at Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club on Friday that his watch detected an unusually high pulse and attempted to trigger an emergency services call.

Carter had just hit a 9-iron 135 yards from the white tees during the final round of the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games when the excitement began. His dad was the first one to notice, screaming with joy.

“As soon as I hit the shot, I didn’t really know what happened,” Carter said. “But then all of a sudden people started to celebrate and said that I got a hole-in-one, and I just blacked out.”

PHOTO COURTESY TAYLOR CARTER — Taylor Carter celebrates his hole in one with nephew Ashton Carter, his caddy.

Carter said he didn't fully believe it until he reached the green and saw the ball sitting in the cup.

“It was crazy,” he said.

The ace was particularly meaningful after Carter struggled with his confidence during the opening round. He said he found his groove again on the second day and entered the final round with a simple goal.

“I just told myself to go out there and try your best,” he said. “And no matter what happens, at least we tried.”

Golfers were still on the course at the time of this story being published, so final results were not known.

Carter has been playing golf since he was four years old.

“I never expected to make a hole-in-one in a tournament ever,” he said. “And to finally do that, it’s gonna stay in my head forever.”

His nephew Ashton was caddying for him and was by his side to witness the shot. Carter credited Ashton with helping make the moment possible, while his family and playing partners also joined in the celebration. One of his playing partners even tackled him after the ball dropped.

Carter plans to frame the ball as a permanent reminder of the moment.

He also thanked his family, teammates, Special Olympics staff and volunteers, and the Medicine Hat community for making the Games a memorable experience.

“It feels like an honour,” Carter said of representing Team Saskatchewan.

— story by Sean Rooney, Special Olympics Canada Summer Games

PHOTO COURTESY TAYLOR CARTER — Taylor Carter celebrates with his family