Five weeks after heart attack, Derry's Carroll cards an ace

When his surgeon promised Paul Carroll that he would be "better than ever," the Derry resident never expected the dividends on the golf course.

"A mere bump in the road," said Carroll, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who still speaks with more than a hint of a brogue. "I'm feeling much better, already back in business."

The 59-year-old Gillette retiree returned to the game Thursday for the first time since the heart attack.

When he stepped to the tee at the 200-yard, par-3, 8th hole at Atkinson Country Club, the task was stiff ... and so was the wind in his face.

Using his 5-iron, he found nothing but the bottom of the cup. In 30 years of golf, it was the first hole-in-one for the 9-handicap.

"I've been close to them in 30 years, but never had one," said Carroll, who played the round with friends Mitch Messer, Edi Gibson and Barry Chooljian. "It was a great surprise."

All was not perfect, though, for Carroll. His time away from the club had kept him out of the hole-in-one pool. And as tradition dictates, he was responsible for a round of drinks upon his return.

"Cost me over 100 bucks at the bar," joked Carroll. "But it was definitely worth it."

Barry Cotton struck for his first career ace recently on the 146-yard, 13th hole at Hickory Hill in Methuen. Cotton used a 7-iron for the feat, which was witnessed by Jeff Berry, Rob Davis and Dan Funk.

Fans of the senior circuit have to be pleased with the early commitments to the Bank of America Championship, the Champions Tour event at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, Mass., set for June 16-22.

Jay Haas will be back to defend his title, while Loren Roberts, Dana Quigley, Bruce Fleisher, Allen Doyle, Jim Thorpe, Jim Colbert, Tom Jenkins, Curtis Strange, Craig Stadler, Nick Price, Mark Wiebe, Jeff Sluman, Wayne Grady and a handful of other big names are slated to play.

Local amateurs Marko Kazanjian of Methuen, Derek Gould of North Reading and John Gilmartin of Andover will attempt the first rung of U.S. Open qualifying today at the TPC Boston in Norton, Mass. ... Brian Higgins and Brad Stewart of Franklin CC won the recent MGA Four Ball Championships, in which the 2007 champs Colin Brennan of Andover and Evan Harmeling of North Reading — both away at college — could not enter and defend. Brothers Bill and Andy Drohen, former champs in the event, were the top local finishers, tied for 18th, six shots off the pace.

Notre Dame Academy of Tyngsboro Classic: at Vesper Country Club June 23. Sponsors are still being sought. For information, call 978-649-7611, ext. 321.

American Stroke Association Train to End Stroke Tournament: at Tewksbury Country Club June 6. Players, sponsors and donations are being sought. For information, call 978-655-4503.

Hackett Retirement Solutions Inc. Senior Scramble: at Apple Hill Golf Club in East Kingston Aug. 12 at 7:30 a.m. For information, call 978-346-9549.

Merrimack Valley YMCA Tournament: at Hickory Hill Golf Course in Methuen at 9 a.m. on June 30. For information, contact Melissa O'Brien 978-725-6681.

Photos

Paul Carroll of Derry, who has been golfing for 30 years, recently shot his first hole-in-one. Staff photo