Vaughn Taylor’s Lesson Leads to Teen Golfer’s First Hole-in-One at Pebble Beach
- Angelina Booan recorded her first-ever hole-in-one on Saturday morning at Pebble Beach during the PURE Insurance Championship, transforming a difficult tournament start through a surprise 90-minute practice session...
- The 17-year-old First Tee Division competitor opened her weekend facing swing troubles on the course before receiving an unexpected text message from Taylor, her assigned playing partner for...
- Taylor connected with Booan on the range at approximately 10 a.m.
Angelina Booan recorded her first-ever hole-in-one on Saturday morning at Pebble Beach during the PURE Insurance Championship, transforming a difficult tournament start through a surprise 90-minute practice session with PGA Tour professional Vaughn Taylor, according to regional golf reports.
An Unexpected Text After a Rough Start
The 17-year-old First Tee Division competitor opened her weekend facing swing troubles on the course before receiving an unexpected text message from Taylor, her assigned playing partner for the week, as reported by Golf.com. Taylor had quietly observed Booan during Friday’s opening round and spent nearly a full day considering how to help without overstepping boundaries in a junior event.
Stepping Onto the Range With Vaughn Taylor
Taylor connected with Booan on the range at approximately 10 a.m. Saturday morning, according to source coverage. The professional golfer and his teenage partner immediately addressed fundamental adjustments, including cleaning club grooves before swings and releasing the putter head properly.
Taylor noticed that Booan’s dynamic driver swing caused an overly long backswing on her irons and wedges, prompting a focused adjustment. He wanted me to shorten it,
Booan stated in published accounts. Despite initial hesitation about occupying a professional’s limited time during a competitive tournament, Booan spent an hour and a half working through the mechanical changes.
I mean, she did shortened her backswing like that,
Taylor told Golf.com regarding how quickly the young amateur implemented the corrections. That was the coolest part, how fast she changed it.
A 117-Yard Shot Into Golf History
The instruction immediately paid off on the course when the pair reached the 12th hole, a short par-3, according to verified event recaps. Although the hole measured 107 yards on the scorecard, the players factored in a stronger wind and adjusted the distance to 117 yards.
Booan selected a pitching wedge, ensured her club grooves were clean, and struck the ball. It landed an inch away from the hole and … it went in,
Booan described to reporters. Taylor noted that the shot actually landed a foot behind the cup before spinning backward into the hole, producing the first ace of Booan’s career.
Memories to Share With the Grandkids
I’ll never, ever forget this,
Booan reflected following the round. An ace at Spyglass Hill, I’ll be telling my grandkids about it.
