Howell shoots best round to par, beats his age for first time (by two) at Cane Creek
By Al Muskewitz
Chip Howell rang the bell again.
Two years ago when Howell shot 64 in the opening round of the 2020 County Championship at Anniston Municipal to beat his age for the first time, he called it a “bell ringer.”
He did it again Thursday, even louder this time. The 67-year-old former mayor and Calhoun County Sports Hall of Famer posted his all-time best round in relation to par and age when he shot a 7-under-par 65 in the weekly dogfight at Cane Creek Golf Course, where he serves as a consultant.
The three-time County champion did all his damage in the bogey-free round early, making seven birdies in his first 10 holes – only one outside of six feet – including four three-footers in a row (7-8-9-10). He missed a 10-footer on 18 for a 64, but came to the finishing hole with a little cushion on the age thing.
“I had no expectations certainly going into yesterday,” he said. “I changed irons back to the TaylorMade’s I had couple years back and changed putters, changed wedges and the 3-wood.
“My short game, wedge game, was great – I think I hit the first 12 greens – and I was walking. I hadn’t done that in a while, so my legs started getting a little worn out there at the end. I was a just trying to hang on.”
Only two times did he come close to making bogey. He missed his first green on 12, but made a short putt for par, then was blown into the greenside bunker on 13 and made an eight-footer to get up and down.
“It was awesome to watch,” playing partner Danny Stephens said. “After 9 I thought I was going to witness a 10-under or so. He couldn’t miss an up and down.”
Howell has shot 64 three times before, all on par-70 courses (Anniston Municipal and Anniston Country Club). One of the 64s at The Hill came when he was 66, so he beat his age there by two. He has shot 65 before, too, but not since turning 65. Ironically, he used the same set of irons Thursday he used when he shot the 64 in the County at The Hill.
“I just was trying to mix things up, see what would happen,” Howell said of the club switch. “It was a nice surprise.”
According to the best available stats, the percentage of golfers who shoot their age is less than 9 per million. He’s done it three times now in less than 20 months.
“I’m getting older so it should be getting easier,” he said.
ACES IN THE CROWD: Two players made holes-in-one during Cane Creek’s Senior Two-Man on Monday. Larry Bush aced No. 3 and Clark Ware aced No. 6. [*** read more]
Cover photo: Chip Howell walks up to mark a short putt on 18 during his 64 in the 2020 Calhoun County Championship at Anniston Municipal.
