Most golfers are happy enough just having a single career hole-in-one to brag about. Brian Peake is not most golfers.
The long-time Royal Fremantle member — and West Aussie AFL icon — has just celebrated his 22nd career ace a mere two months after his 21st, which he achieved last November.
The 11-handicapper has now fired 16 holes-in-one at Royal Fremantle, with the other six coming in competition rounds and corporate days at other WA clubs including Secret Harbour, Busselton and Northam.
Not bad going when you consider that Tiger Woods only has two holes-in-one in his entire PGA Tour career.
Although Peake’s latest ace was scored at Royal Fremantle’s 12th hole, he has enjoyed most success at the downhill 8th, clocking up a remarkable seven holes-in-one there — an achievement set to see the 72-year-old recognised as a Guinness World Record holder once the official paperwork is filed.
Having played more than 400 football games at the highest levels, Peake is widely recognised as one of WA’s greatest-ever AFL players — and he remains just as tigerish a competitor on the golf course as he was on the oval.
“I just love the game of golf. After football, this was my second sport and as a sportsman you’re always trying to play your best,” Peake told GolfWA.
This competitive spirit, allied with his steely focus, is what the AFL Hall of Famer believes has been a fundamental factor in his hole-in-one haul.
“I try my best on every hole, but I’m able to concentrate a bit more on par threes because there’s an achievement to be had there [i.e. a hole-in-one],” he said.
“I love to compete, so I’m always doing my best to win the hole. I watch what my playing partners do, how the ball bounces and spins, and I know what clubs I need to hit to get close. My aim on every par three is to get another hole-in-one.”
Eyes on the prize: Brian Peake’s focus and drive have led him to 22 career aces
While his seven-goal performance in the 1986 State of Origin clash against Victoria has become part of sporting folklore in WA, Peake says he rates his collection of aces as highly as any of his feats in a guernsey.
“I rate both achievements equally,” he says. “Playing in the AFL and playing football for your state is huge, but not a lot of people ever get a hole-in-one, so I feel a bit blessed to have had 22.
“I still get just as excited about every hole-in-one because it’s such a rarity, but I must admit that beating the Vics in the State of Origin in 1970 and 1986 was absolutely a blessing. It was great to bring them down a peg!”
And does Peake think this year’s WA crop have what it takes to upset the Victorians in Saturday’s State of Origin clash?
“Well, you know what the Vics are like, they think they’re going to win everything,” he laughed. “But if the WA boys put in their best effort, they’ve definitely got a chance.”
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