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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 3:03 p.m., Thursday, January 15, 2009

Sony Open: 82-year-old scores ace at Pro-Am, gets 18-karat timepiece

By Bart Asato
Advertiser Staff Writer

After 63 years of playing as a member and guest, Clarence K.H. Yee finally got his first hole-in-one at Waialae Country Club at the Sony Open in Hawai'i Pro-Am on Wednesday.

And it because it was on a prize hole, the par-3, 189-yard 17th, Yee, 82, won an 18-karat Harry Winston Excenter Timepiece, valued at $18,000.

"This was the greatest thing that happened to me since I shot my age at 68," said Yee, a Honolulu insurance executive, who was paired with PGA Tour pro Kenny Perry.

Yee said the hole-in-one was suprising because, "when the west wind is blowing from diamondhead, the 17th is a very tough hole."

Yee said he began to tire at the 15th hole and he asked Perry to sign his hat to give him luck. Two holes later, it paid off.

He usually uses a 6-iron on the 17th hole, but swung a 5-wood instead.

"(Perry) said, 'Clarence, I think it went in the hole,'" said Yee, who has had three other holes-in-one. After Perry's caddy confirmed it, "I was elated."

The 17th hole also was designated as the "closest-to-the pin hole," so Yee also receives a Ping Rapture V2 Hybrid golf club.

"Kenny Perry said I must be really blessed, and I said, 'Yes, I am.'"

Reach Bart Asato at bartasato@honoluluadvertiser.com.