The Wrens (from right: Mary, Russ and RJ) and family friend Randy Wright, who carded his first ace at Honeybrook in 2009.

Family makes hole-in-one history at Honeybrook Golf Club

  Mary Wren was once the missing piece in her family’s ace triangle at Honeybrook Golf Club.

  Two years ago, her son RJ, the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s 2011 Junior-Junior Boys’ Champion, achieved his first hole-in-one on the course’s 17th hole. Her husband Russ aced the 167-yard 8th hole a year later.

  Mary finally fulfilled the family’s legacy this past June. She registered a hole-in-one on No. 8 as well. Each family member holds an ace on their Honeybrook record, a club first.

  “It’s great,” Russ, 51, said. “We have three embroidered flags from the club.”

  As previously mentioned, RJ, at the ripe age of 11, aced the 17th hole with a 5-wood that landed left of the flagstick and trickled into the cup.

  “It looked good the whole way,” RJ, 14, said.

  “We thought it may be in,” Russ added. “He was pretty revved up.”

  During Honeybrook’s opening night festivities in 2011, the Wrens took to the course together. When they arrived at No. 8 — a par 3 surrounded by bunkers and environment hazards, Russ equipped a 6-iron and drilled it directly at the flagstick. The family collectively watched his golf ball disappear into the jar. Russ turned around bearing a sympathetic expression.

  “As soon as it went in, I apologized,” Russ said, referring to the family’s assumed obligation to fund drinks for those in attendance.

  “That’s what credit cards are for,” Mary, 52, said jokingly. “We were all there to see it, which was pretty special.”

  Nearly a year later, Mary, with Russ and a couple of his friends in tow, returned to No. 8, which now sported a front hole location. She hit a 7-iron that ultimately found its way into the hole, though Mary’s immediate reaction reflected uncertainty.

  “I turned around and said, ‘did it go in?’” Mary said. “It was kind of neat.”

  Perhaps it’s Russ’s presence that produced such good fortune. He played a role in all three ace instances, and in 2009, witnessed friend and clubmate Randy Wright register his first hole-in-one at Honeybrook.

  “Russ has to be the link to this. He’s the common denominator,” Mary said.

  RJ’s interest in the game prompted his parents to increase their involvement. Russ began to play more; the family purchased a set of clubs for Mary a few years ago. Indeed, the Morgantown, Pa. trio caught the bug and hasn’t looked back.

  “Golf’s been a neat way for our family to bond,” Russ said.

  Applecross Country Club may be the next ace victim. The Wrens became members at the nearby Downingtown, Pa. facility this year.