Two aces in 2019 for John Lavendoski
Martin Pool reports: It was a banner year for John Lavendoski, Northwest’s own “Ted Ray,” who made two dodos at year’s end. (Dodo is the term used by the Northwest Hickory Players to describe holes in one. See below for more information about their “Dodo Club.”)

On Nov. 17, 2019, Lavendoski aced the newly redesigned, 183-yard Redan-style 10th hole at Wing Point G&CC, Bainbridge Island, Wash., his home course. He used a c. 1928 “Rudy Fielitz” mussel back mid-iron that had been recently restored by master clubmaker, Jerry Olson. Making only his fourth swing following its restoration, John knocked his shot in for his hickory dodo.

Three weeks later, on Dec. 12, 2019, also at Wing Point, he used a PGA of America P-80 jigger (another restoration project by Jerry Olson) to knock it in from 110 yards out on the No. 2 hole. Lavendoski says he was using the “shaft- covering-the-ball” technique which he learned from his playing partner Jeff Dean to add loft and ‘soften’ his jigger shots.) Nice work Jerry and Jeff! Oh, and you, too, John.

John says the best part of it was having his two kids with him to share the moment. He also says he bought them a round of “cranberry juice and lemonade” afterwards. And something stronger for himself, one presumes.