Local teen almost serves up a trifecta of holes-in-one
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – You’ll want to remember the name Gabriella Vetter. She’s only a teenager now, but give her a few years and she might be playing in the Masters’ Golf Tournament. You actually wouldn’t believe this story if you heard it out on the course or sitting at the clubhouse, but we can guarantee you this amazing young lady did what many adult golfers have never done – she almost got a hole-in-one trifecta in a matter of days.
Gabriella’s story started on June 23, as she was at golf camp with her twin brother, Jacob. They are taking golf lessons at Lemon Bay Golf Club with Ben McCoy, the head professional. Everyone was out on the links, on the second hole to be specific. Gabriella was using a knockdown wedge when she sunk her first hole-in-one on this particular link from 97 yards.
The odds, by the way, of an average golfer making a hole in one is approximately 12,500 to 1.
Then, on July 3 it happened again. This time she nailed it with a three iron on hole 15 from 177 yards. She was playing with her dad, Frank, and Jacob at the time. Frank is an avid player, and while he had a generous sense of humor with the first ace, this second one got him to thinking he needed to practice more.
On Sunday, July 5, she was on the fifth hole at Lemon Bay when she hit a 5 hybrid 150 yards … and it stopped just inches from the cup.
The twins’ mother, Gina, said the kids had been trying all sorts of activities trying to find their niche, and golf had been their choice.
Gabriella attend St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic School, and are alter servers at the island’s Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mercy. Their grandparents, Ralph and Cheryl DiCarlo, also live in the island.
“Golf has really resonated with both of them,” Gina said. “Gabriella would rather be down in the mud, playing in the dirt or playing on the course with the boys. Ask her if she wants to go shopping, she’ll just tell you ‘no.’ I say, look out LPGA … you have some fierce competition coming your way from one determined 13-year-old!”
