Dick Madison admits he has little confidence in his putting.

At least for one hole, the Butler resident didn't have to pull the putter out of his bag.

Last Monday at Foxburg Country Club, Madison, 76, aced the course's 124-yard No. 8 hole using a 5-iron.

“I saw the ball hit just past the pin. The guys I was golfing with said it went in, but I didn't believe them.

“When we got to the green, there was a divot near the hole and there was the ball, in the cup. I was surprised, it's my first-ever hole-in-one.”

The effort helped him shoot an 81, his best-ever score on 18 holes. He also shot an 81 at Stoughton Acres.

Madison was golfing with Bill Wissinger, Lee Achesinski and Roger Rettig. The foursome gets together three or four times per week to hit the links at a number of courses in and around Butler County.

“Bill is originally from Butler, but now lives in Parker,” Madison said. “He got us into going to Foxburg because it's close to where he lives.

“It's a shorter course, but not as easy as it looks. It's very competitive.”

Aubrey's Dubbs Dred, Stoughton Acres and Krendale are other area courses frequented by Madison and his friends.

Madison, a 1961 graduate of Moniteau High School, was not an avid golfer until the last decade.

“I golfed very little when I was younger,” he said. “I remember for my 35th high school class reunion, a bunch of us got together, had two foursomes and I played. It was still very scattered after that.”

It was after his retirement 11 years ago that Madison's interest and involvement in the sport grew.

“I enjoy the camaraderie, getting out with some guys,” he said. “My drives are normally good and my chipping is OK. The problem is, once I get on the green, I'm just not a very good putter. When I got the hole-in-one, I remember saying, 'Great, I don't have to putt.'”

Madison was a multi-sport star at Moniteau. He was the second football player from the school to earn a Division I scholarship, playing wingback at West Virginia University and tying for the team-lead in touchdowns scored in 1964 with five. That effort helped WVU go 7-4 that season.

Pat Stone, who graduated from Moniteau the year before Madison, earned the first football scholarship and played at Rutgers.

“I played football and basketball in high school, ran track, too,” said Madison. “Golf is what I have left when it comes to sports.”