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American Morning

Six-Year-Old Golfer Discusses Hole in One

Aired June 26, 2001 - 11:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: He's a little boy, but boy, that a very big accomplishment on the playing field. Thomas James is six years old, and he has a hole in one under his belt -- what a tale. Thomas and his dad, Bob, join us from the scene of all the excitement that happened on Saturday, King Pars Golf Course (ph), in Flint, Michigan.

Hi, Thomas.

THOMAS JAMES, SIX-YEAR-OLD GOLFER: Hi.

PHILLIPS: Hey, listen: Tell me about this hole in one. When it happened, did you realize that the ball went into the cup?

T. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: You saw it go in?

T. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: And what was going through your mind?

T. JAMES: I did a good shot.

PHILLIPS: Yes, you did.

Do your friends think you're really cool now?

T. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: What have they said to you?

T. JAMES: Hi, Ace, and all that. Ace -- that's what I said, Dad.

PHILLIPS: I know, it's not easy talking on television.

So Thomas, do you want to be a pro golfer?

T. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Who's your hero?

T. JAMES: Tiger Woods. But of course. Listen: What I'm going to have you do is I want you to tee up your ball that you've got in your hand, and we're going to watch you take a swing and possibly get another hole in one. Do you want to try to do it again?

And Dad, while he's setting up, why don't you tell us how he learned how to play golf.

BOB JAMES: Well, he hasn't been playing for that long. He got his clubs about a month ago. And he comes out here to the range and hits some balls. This was his third time going around our little 9- hole par 3.

PHILLIPS: Did he realize what happened when he got the hole in one? Did it hit him.

B. JAMES: I'm not really sure.

PHILLIPS: Let's have him line it up.

B. JAMES: Can you line it up?

PHILLIPS: And let's see if we can do it again.

B. JAMES: Go ahead. Go ahead, and hit it.

PHILLIPS: Oh boy, where did it go?

B. JAMES: Just up in the air. It wasn't in the hole.

PHILLIPS: Did it come close?

B. JAMES: It wasn't in the hole. It wasn't in the hole. He missed.

PHILLIPS: This was a 63-yard shot he made, right?

B. JAMES: Right, yes.

PHILLIPS: And what was everybody saying at the course when it happened? Is the first time someone this young has gotten a hole in one?

B. JAMES: Sure, yes. It was quite a buzz in the store in there. Then one of my cohorts named him Ace. So that's what everybody calls him, Ace James, now.

PHILLIPS: Ace James.

Now, you're a golfer too, right, Bob?

B. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: Since 1963, I understand.

B. JAMES: Yes, about then, yes. PHILLIPS: Have you ever had a hole in one?

B. JAMES: No, no, I haven't.

PHILLIPS: How did you get Thomas playing golf?

B. JAMES: I just asked him if he wanted to play, and he said, yes, sure, and then I got him a nice set of clubs, and the rest, he just comes out here, and like I said, he wants to hit balls every once in awhile, which is fine, and come out and play this little 9 hole. There's nothing longer out here than maybe 130 yards, so the kids come out here and have fun with it.

PHILLIPS: When you found out about his hole in one, was he the first one to tell you?

B. JAMES: No, actually, I was working in the store at the time. I work in the store, and my wife and daughter were out here, and she called on the cell phone.

PHILLIPS: Wow!

Will you do me a favor and hand the mike back to your son. I'm going to ask him one more question.

B. JAMES: Sure.

PHILLIPS: Thomas, before we go, will you give me a little advice on my golf game? Will you tell me how I can improve?

T. JAMES: Yes.

PHILLIPS: What's the advice?

T. JAMES: Just swing back and hit the ball the best you can.

PHILLIPS: Great advice.

Thomas James, congratulations, my friend. We're very proud of you.

T. JAMES: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: You're welcome.

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