DELIGHTED Pat Darch rounded off an unexpected run of golfing good fortune by shooting a hole-in-one during a competition staged at The Vale Golf Club.

A member of the Bishampton-based club for the past six years, Darch plays off a 25 handicap and is the first to admit she never anticipated her hot streak to stretch to an ace' with a seven-wood shot.

"It all started at three recent events," explained Darch.

"My team won the annual Ladies' Away Day at Cirencester and came third at two team events in Worcestershire and then Cheltenham."

But it was at the 126-yard par-three third during the Ladies' Golf Union medal and flag competition, that the 58-year-old's good fortune really came home.

"A few of us had gathered, waiting to tee-off. As I played my shot I knew it was a good drive, for me, so I gave the girls a little curtsey, just having a bit of a laugh. The raised green means you can't see the third hole from the tee, but one of the ladies said she was sure she had seen the flag move.

"When I found my ball had gone straight in I was amazed. This is my first hole-in-one since taking up golf 12 years ago," added Darch.

Thrilled with her success, The Vale's shadow competition secretary, raced back to the clubhouse to say drinks were on her, ready for when the first players finished their rounds, and she soon joined them to raise a glass with the girls.

Melanie Drake, general manager of The Vale said: "Getting a hole-in-one was a fantastic achievement for Pat."She is one of only half a dozen women to have done this since the club opened in 1991."

The Vale boasts both an 18-hole and a nine-hole course as well as a driving range.