Fred Murphy started golfing in his 40s but Tuesday the 66-year-old gained a distinction some golfers go a lifetime without achieving — he cranked in a hole-in-one.
He swung his 4-iron on the 9th Hole at Kelley Greens in Nahant — a 174-yard par 3 hole.
His Bridgestone ball sailed high and landed 20 yards from the cup. It bounced twice, rolled across the green and plopped to the bottom of the cup.
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Fred started yelling at longtime friends and fellow golfers Hawkeye O'Connor and Steve Caparelli.
"It's in the hole, it's in the hole," he hollered.
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They are early morning golfers, and Tuesday will be a morning to remember.
Fred, who was holding the hole-in-one ball while talking about the accomplishment, will have the ball engraved.
His daughter, Karen, of Swampscott, said it's a bucket list item her father can cross off.
The father of three daughters, two of whom are Swampscott residents — and the third daughter will be moving to Swampscott soon — was introduced to golf by his wife 25 years ago.
Fred plays five days a week, walking from hole to hole with his friends.
The retired computer analyst enjoys the camaraderie and the game.
He'll be out golfing early today, Thursday, a hole in one to his credit.
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