Ace golfer Frank Capehart strikes again at Ranch Club with third hole-in-one

Frank Capehart is sure getting the hang of this hole-in-one thing.

He waited 87 years for his first one. It came two years ago on the 134-yard first hole at the Ranch Club in Priest River. He followed that up nearly three months later with another ace on No. 1.

Last Wednesday, Capehart, 89, was standing on the first tee box, again with his 3-hybrid in hand on a gorgeous fall day. He was wearing one of his two hole-in-one hats the course gives to those fortunate enough to pencil a ‘1’ onto their scorecard.

“Nothing to it,” Capehart cracked. “It was nice and straight. It hit on the edge (of the green) and rolled right in the hole.”

Same hole, same club, three aces. Playing partners O.B. Scott, who witnessed Capehart’s first two aces, and Dale Kinney watched Capehart’s ball disappear again.

“That’s my favorite hole,” Capehart said of No. 1. “They couldn’t believe it. Dale took my picture.”

Longtime Ranch Club owner Dennis Napier, who recently sold the course but still works part time, also needed convincing.

“I thought he was pulling my leg,” Napier said.

Napier is planning to present Capehart with a hole-in-one jacket to commemorate his latest hole-in-one.

Capehart, who lives in Newport, first played the Ranch Club in 1959. He took a decade or so off to work and help raise his family, but he’s played regularly since retiring in 1993. He played 18 holes five times last week and said his average score is 47 for nine.

“It’s been beautiful out there, as soon as the fog lifts at about 11 o’clock,” Capehart said. “I’ve had some (other) close calls. I’ve had a couple times my ball rolled right across the hole.”