Zach Holland Resigns From WingHaven After Admitting Faked Hole-in-One

Former college golfer Zach Holland resigned his membership at WingHaven Country Club after admitting he faked a hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth hole.

Zach Holland, a 2-handicap amateur and former college golfer, has resigned his membership at WingHaven Country Club in O'Fallon, Missouri, after admitting to faking a hole-in-one during a Member-Member Tournament. The incident occurred at the par-3 fourth hole of the St. Louis-area course. Holland, who was playing in the event's first group, confessed to placing his golf ball directly into the cup before the start of the membership event to simulate an ace. During the tournament, he offered the ball as proof to his playing partners, a move that prompted the group to contact a superintendent to report the feat.

Details of the WingHaven Incident

Holland manipulated the pace of play to execute the deception. After completing the first three holes of the round, he informed his group that he needed to step away to take a personal phone call regarding his grandmother, whom he claimed was mortally ill. He told his partners he would tee off on the fourth hole ahead of them to ensure the group stayed on schedule. When the other players arrived at the green, Holland claimed he had "thinned" his tee shot and was unsure of the ball's final location. The ball was subsequently discovered in the hole, leading to a celebration among the group before the fraud was uncovered.

Security footage reviewed by WingHaven staff ultimately exposed the fabrication. The video showed Holland driving his golf cart near the fourth green significantly earlier than his scheduled tee time. Following the review of this footage, Holland admitted the truth to club officials. Nathan Charnes, the general manager at WingHaven and acting PGA of America president, confirmed that the club promptly addressed the matter and now considers the situation closed. The tournament featured a hole-in-one prize pot, though Holland noted his team was already giving two shots back to the field at the time.

Admissions and Personal Consequences

In an interview with "The Morning After" show on 101 ESPN St. Louis, Holland described his actions as "complete stupidity" and acknowledged there is no excuse for the lack of moral character displayed. He stated that he chose to resign his membership as a consequence of the viral scandal. Despite the admission of faking the ace, Holland insisted during his radio appearance that he is "not a cheater on the golf course" in a general sense, characterizing the event as a singular bad decision.

Impact on Family and Online Reaction

The fallout from the event has extended beyond the clubhouse, with Holland reporting that he and his family have received online threats. He expressed specific concern for his wife and two young children, stating they do not deserve the vitriol or the stigma associated with his actions. Holland noted that while he can accept the "banter and the chatter" regarding his golfing reputation, the impact on his family is the most difficult aspect of the situation. He requested that critics tread lightly on his relatives as he attempts to move forward from the incident. The club has declined further comment, citing the resolution of the individual matter.