In 1959, Paige West was a part of history and three was the lucky number. West trained Adios Butler, who won the first Triple Crown in harness racing history.

So, it is only fitting that some 51 years later, West and the number three came up again as the Pompano Beach resident aced three different holes in three weeks at the Carolina Club in Margate.

“It was unbelievable,” said the 78-year-old West, who lives in Palm Aire. “I play three or four times a week here. “There were three of the same golfers each time. There was one different guy each time. They were probably more excited than I was.”

West, who has had five hole-in-ones in his lifetime, waited more than 24 years between aces. His previous hole-in-ones in 1986 and 1987 came a year apart to the day. West got hole-in-ones on three different holes – 7,
9 and 17 at the Carolina Club last month.

One of his playing partners, Paul Wittenberg, 67, of Boca Raton, who saw all three aces, said West was more happy that he “took their money” by winning the holes than getting the hole-in-ones.

“It was pretty amazing,” said Wittenberg, who plays with West three times a week. They have been playing together for seven years at Carolina Club. “One shot was lucky; the other two were right on the pin all of the way. He was very happy, probably because he took our money. It’s incredible. He’s not a very good golfer.”

West said he used an 8-iron from 125 yards to ace the 7th hole; a 9-iron, from 115 yards on the 9th hole, and an 8-iron from 120 yards out on the 17th hole.

“I had to buy the guys drinks,” West said. “I am not that great a golfer, so this was pretty incredible. They were kind of shocked the second time I got one. The third one I didn’t see go in the hole because there was a bunker. I knew it was close. When we got up to the green, we saw it in the hole.”

West said he used to come down in the winter when he trained horses at Pompano Park . He moved permanently in 1988. He retired in 1990.

“I was the first man to win the Triple Crown in 1959 with Adios Butler,” West said. “You dream about it. That was not an easy thing to do and a great experience too. It is three races and you have to be good and sharp, and good in form, for a long period of time.”

West said he has changed his sports now.

“Golf is my passion now, that’s all,” West said. “You just try and hit it the best you can. It is a lot of luck. The hole isn’t that big you know.”