Zanesville, Ohio -- At age 93, an Ohio golfer hit his first hole-in-one.



A short time later, Ben Bender of Zanesville, Ohio walked to the clubhouse and put his clubs away for good.



"I was lucky to play golf this long, but I never expected (a hole-in-one)," Bender said, according to the Times Recorder in Zanesville. "It was the last time I was able to play and I think God had a hand in this. I love the game and hate to give it up, but I can't play forever."

Ben Bender (Chris Crook/Times Recorder via AP)





Bender hit his perfect shot last month at Green Valley Golf Club in Zanesville, east of Columbus. He had a witness.



Bender told the Times Recorder he had come close to some aces in the past. He said he watched the shot in awe.



Bender has hip bursitis and the pain has limited his ability to play. He was only able to play a few more holes after his hole-in-one before stopping.



The rest of his round last month wasn't great. He shot at least a 7 on the other five holes he played, but it just takes one to create memory, the Times Recorder said.



"What an amazing feat by Ben," said Steve Galloway, Green Valley manager.



Bender took up golf at 28. He played six days a week when he lived in Florida and got his handicap down to 3.



When he retired, he moved back to Zanesville, where he was born, and played regularly at Green Valley.



Bender worked as a mold maker and sold insurance before retiring.



"It seemed the Lord knew this was my last round so he gave me a hole-in-one," he said, according to the Times Recorder.

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