NEW YORK, July 23, 2007

Unlikely Hole-In-One Star Wows Pro

Jacqueline Gagne Has Hit 16 Holes-In-One Since January

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  • Jacqueline Gagne has hit a stunning number of holes-in-one. She talks with <b><i>The Early Show</i></b> co-anchor Harry Smith, center, and CBS Sports analyst Peter Kostis about her secret. Photo

    Jacqueline Gagne has hit a stunning number of holes-in-one. She talks with The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith, center, and CBS Sports analyst Peter Kostis about her secret.  (CBS/The Early Show)

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(CBS)  Jacqueline Gagne, 46, of Rancho Mirage, Calif., is a golfing phenom. She has hit more holes-in-one than most pro golfers on the tour today, and she just started playing golf 4 1/2 years ago.

She came to New York for a little golf outing with The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith and CBS Sports analyst and world-renowned golf teacher Peter Kostis at the Metropolis Country Club.

As good as a golfer as Kostis is, he has only had nine holes-in-one in his life. Gagne has already had 16 since January 2007. When Kostis first heard about her, he wasn't sure what was going on.

"I think that's pretty much everybody's reaction," he said. "Now I want to find out what the secret is to her making so many holes-in-one."

Gagne says her secret is pretty simple: look at the pin placement and then read the green.

"And to me this green's breaking to the left so I want to aim to the right of the flag," she said referring to the Metropolis Country Club's course.

"From a technical standpoint, we have the first clue here," Kostis said. "Most people are looking at the green and trying to hit the green. She's reading the green. So she's factoring in the break from back here."

He was impressed, even before Gagne hit a ball.

"She keeps apologizing for her golf swing but all a golf swing is supposed to do is hit shots that you can find close to the hole, so I'm figuring this is a pretty good golf swing," Kostis said.

Though her first couple of tries roll off the green, Kostis remains impressed.

"There's always going to be a certain amount of doubt, non-believers, because the numbers are so outrageous," he said. "I mean they're off the charts. But after you look at her golf swing and you look at the ball flight you know what, she's firing at the pin every time, so now the numbers change a bit."

Smith decided to take a few swings. Gagne gave him some helpful tips, but she was really the one who everyone wanted to see drive the ball. She didn't get a hole-in-one, but after watching her, Smith and Kostis were believers. Nothing fazed her, not the cameras or the small crowd she attracted.

"It's the real deal," Kostis said.

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Add a Comment
by sjw1253 July 23, 2007 6:44 PM PDT

Hmmm... Interesting...

No comments here??? I am amazed someone has not yet commented on this - especially as it is a woman...

Hmmm... Nothing politically challenging about this one?

Reply to this comment
by berthapig July 24, 2007 2:31 PM PDT
You go girl, keep it up. It's great to see a non-professional get all the attention. Maybe some of the pros should take some hints from you.
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