Some people never experience the shock and exhilaration of a hole-in-one, no matter how many rounds they play in a golfing lifetime.

Helen Burness of Meaford made the first ace of the 2008 golfing season at Meaford Golf and Country Club Sunday, April 20. It marked her fifth hole-in-one.

She aced the second hole on Millennium run, approximately 85 yards from the ladies' red markers, using a Noodle Rotini ball and "a very old number 11 Lynx chipping club, which was a big deal when I bought it from a barrel a long time ago," she said.

She chortles when she describes the club, which has a metal shaft and, initially, featured a powder blue head. Over time, the colour became so chipped that she took it to a friend in Owen Sound who removed all the paint. A silver club emerged.

On Sunday, Helen did not carry a full complement of clubs, nor did her husband, David, because they were just out for the sunshine and practice before the men's and women's golf leagues registered and began play.

"I only had my putter and three clubs, and I needed a club that would produce a high loft on Millennium 11, so I reached for this old chipping club and it's the club I'll be using from now on," she laughed.

Helen had three aces while living and golfing in Scarborough, the first in 1983.

Her next achievement was at Owen Sound Golf Club. Helen and David are members of Meaford Golf Club, where Helen joined up as a member of the 18-Hole Ladies' Golf group in 2007.