NORTHCLIFFE'S clubhouse was buzzing after not one but TWO holes-in-one in quick succession at the same 12th hole last Saturday.

Former professional James Kelly and past captain Mark Buckley both hit aces on the 124-yard par three in a four-ball betterball competition at the Shipley-based club.

Kelly, who has recently received his amateur status back after nine years in the paid ranks, canned a 52-degree wedge for what was his second hole-in-one of the year after also scoring one on the same course in August.

Less than a hour later, Buckley did the same, again using a wedge, much to the amazement – and amusement – of his fellow members.

Both players didn't know they had aced as the pin was not visible from the tee.

Kelly said: “We were on the 15th hole at the time and at Northcliffe, the 12th and 15th hole tees are close together so we let Mark's group tee off first while we waited.

“When we were about to tee-off, we could hear cheering and we could see Mark and the others shaking hands so we knew what had happened.

“It was really funny. It took a little bit of glory off me but Mark is an excellent golfer, so I was just really pleased for him.”

Kelly added: “When I hit my shot, I knew it was a good one as it was on line to the hole but from the tee you can’t see the flag.

“We were expecting three balls to be on the green but as we were getting closer we could only see two so I walked straight to the hole and my ball was in there.

“The only thing I could compare the feeling of getting a hole-in-one to is when your football team scores a goal.

“In August, I could see the ball go in, so it was more of a shock this time.

“You don’t really know what you’re doing when it goes in, the adrenaline takes over. I was cheering, laughing, it was very exciting."

Buckley had to wait much longer than Kelly for what was his second hole-in-one.

He said: "My first was about 20 years at Skipton and I couldn't see that one go in either. Maybe I will be third time lucky."

The seven-handicapper admitted: "I've never experienced what happened on Saturday before. I picked my ball out of the hole and there was a lot of cheering.

"Then I found out James, who was just a few groups in front, had got one on the same hole! It was a good do in the clubhouse afterwards."

Spirits were certainly high as both players followed the hole-in-one tradition of buying a bottle to celebrate with everyone.

Kelly said: “I bought a bottle of whisky but I didn’t have any of it because I can’t stand the taste!

“Mark came in around 45 minutes later and bought a bottle of gin so it was an extremely busy day in the clubhouse.”