Brian Norris, a 94-year-old golfer from Cornwall, has become the oldest living Brit to hit a hole-in-one after sinking a 160-yard (146-metre) shot at Falmouth Golf Club. The feat occurred during the Gents Autumn Open Competition in early October, where Norris aced the Par 3 last hole in front of a crowd of spectators.
A Lucky Shot Unnoticed
Norris was unaware he had made the shot until the crowd burst into cheers behind him. He and his friends, Gordon Kelly and David Kerwin, had "wondered what all the noise was about" when they heard the commotion.
David Kerwin, 78, described the moment: "It was a bit darker in the late afternoon and we were 150 yards away so we could see the ball go onto the green, running up the green, but couldn't see it anymore. At that moment everyone overlooking from the balcony threw their arms in the air and cheered."
Record-Breaking Feat
The hole-in-one was the sixth of Norris's career, which has spanned more than 50 years. Club members believe he has broken a UK record, and Golf England is now verifying whether he is the oldest person in the country to achieve the feat.
Norris has a year on the current record-holder, Jack Ponsford, who was 93 when he aced a hole at Pannal Golf Club in Harrogate, Yorkshire, in 2025. Norris, originally from Yorkshire, moved to Cornwall with his wife Mawnan Smith to be closer to his son.
Celebration and Recognition
After the shot, the clubhouse owner and bar manager had already organised port for everyone, and Norris bought drinks as well. His friend Gordon, 80, said: "Everyone knows and loves Brian, he's an absolute gentleman and the most generous person you'll ever meet. If you met him you wouldn't believe he's 94. He doesn't play golf like it either - he's terrific."
Norris admitted there was "a significant amount of luck" to his shot. Since retiring as an industrial rubber and plastics distributor, he has been enjoying playing golf twice a week.
