An 11-year-old boy from Tauranga achieved an extraordinary golfing prize at Lake Taupō, becoming the youngest winner of the Hole in One Challenge and earning a $10,000 cash prize.
Elijah Ellis hit the perfect shot with his eight iron on a calm Monday morning, stunning his family and a small crowd of spectators. Elijah plans to use his prize money for a family vacation to Australia.
The amazing moment unfolded during a casual outing when Elijah was sharing a bucket of balls with his dad, Tristan, while his mum and sister watched nearby. “About halfway through, I hit one, and it just slam dunked right in,” Elijah said. Though his mum and sister missed seeing the shot, his dad witnessed the ball soar through the air straight into the hole.
“It had eyes for the flag,” Tristan said, describing the shot as it disappeared into the hole, followed by cheers from onlookers and a faint clink as it settled into the black box at the end of the target.
Elijah’s sister, Tania, initially doubted his claim, but when the ball appeared in the box, excitement erupted. Morning walkers and other spectators joined the celebration, giving Elijah pats on the back and sharing in his joy.
The achievement comes just days after Elijah competed in the Bay of Plenty Age Group Golf Championships, where he finished fourth. Winning the Lake Taupō challenge marked a dream moment for the young golfer. “It still feels like a dream,” Elijah said. “I can remember every single bit of it.”
Elijah’s generosity also impressed his family. He decided to use the prize money to help fund a planned family trip to Australia. “It’s really special to see him want to give back to us,” said his dad, Tristan.
As for the lucky golf ball, Elijah plans to keep it as a cherished memory. “It’s on top of my drawer in my room,” he said, smiling.
