The Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club member was playing at Woodbrook Golf Club in Wicklow and beat odds of 67 million to one
17:25, 14 Aug 2026Updated 08:49, 15 Aug 2026
Allen O’Brien after the first of his holes in one at Woodbrook GC on Friday(Image: Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA)
A Co Meath-based golfer achieved an extraordinarily rare feat on Friday by hitting two holes-in-one in the same round of golf.
Allen O’Brien – who had never had a hole-in-one before – was playing in his Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA Club Society’s outing at Woodbrook Golf Club.
He overcame mammoth odds of 67 million to one to make the two holes-in-one, in a once in a lifetime experience at the historic Wicklow course.
“It was a surreal day, the first hole-in-one was great, I was happy and thrilled to get it, and then the second one was just mind boggling,” said O’Brien, who is originally from Midleton in East Cork.
O’Brien’s magical and memorable shots came at the 190 yard par three 7th and again at the 133 yard par three 17th.
“I had one (hole-in-one) about 20 years ago on a par three course but on an actual golf course this is my first, and second! Lightning struck twice today.”
It was likely an expensive day though for the Ashbourne Golf Club member, with golf’s tradition that anyone who hits a hole-in-one must buy a drink for everyone in the clubhouse — or two in his case!
“I’m told I have to (buy two drinks). If that’s the way it is, that’s the way it is. We’ll get over it.”
Allen after his second hole-in-one at Woodbrook(Image: Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA)
O’Brien plays off a handicap of 5 but despite his remarkable achievements, the rest of his round didn’t go to plan and he didn’t win the 80 player outing.
“I had two birdies and two holes-in-one but the rest of the round was terrible. But I’ll dismiss all the bad stuff and just focus on the holes in one.
“I just Googled how many people had done it on the PGA Tour and only three people in history have done it so it’s definitely a rare feat.”
The Donaghmore/Ashbourne society were playing for the Paul Martin Memorial Trophy — a day when the club remembers a much loved past member and player who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in 2008.
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