By Derrick Ow

In golf, you never know what memories you’ll create during each round. That adage rang true Jan. 15 at Merced Golf and Country Club. 

Two brothers, Bobby and Dave Johnson, created some golfing magic in the Central Valley as both posted eagles on back-to-back holes while playing in their usual weekly round. 

The group got to the par-4, 312-yard 15th hole where the fireworks started. Bobby pulled out his fairway hybrid for his second shot, his ball eventually finding the bottom of the cup from 120 yards out. 

“I hit it pretty well and I am hoping that I can get it over the bunker, “ Bobby said. “Because of the shadows, it is kind of hard to see the ball clearly and the ball disappeared and I said I think that ball went in the hole.”

One of the playing partners in the Johnson group and an all-important witness was Pat Dillon. 

“I have seen a few eagles and a few holes-in-one,” Dillon said. “But I have never seen back-to-back eagles so that was pretty entertaining, to say.” 

However, Dillon did not see the shot initially go in as he was driving the cart up near the green. 

“I heard Davey yell in the fairway, ‘It is in the hole, it is in the hole!,” Dillion said. “You cannot see the bottom of the pin from certain spots in the fairway so I busted their chops a little bit and told them there is nothing in here.”

Dillon went ahead and told Bobby that his ball went into the hole. Bobby said that was his third eagle of his life and first one in 25 years. 

The highlight reel continued on the ensuing par-4 16th hole where Dave had 115 yards out for his second shot from the fairway and pulled out his 9-iron. 

“I was standing next to the green with one of my other playing partners and saw the ball hit the green and roll 12 feet into the heart of the cup,” Dillon said. 

The rest of their playing group were stunned that they witnessed a special moment at their home golf course.

“What are the odds in one group plus having two brothers play together and making eagles on par-4’s,” Bobby said. “All of us in the group could not believe what just happened.”

The eagle on 16 wasn’t just another reason to celebrate. It made the difference as Davey was able to beat his older brother Bobby by one shot. Davey finished with an 87 while Bobby shot an 88. 

“It is always special playing with my brother,” Bobby said. “To make those back-to-back eagles together made it more special.”

David, who was a caddie on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, made a hole-in-one at Merced Golf and Country Club in 2023. 

However, David says being able to make an eagle the hole after his older brother did is a moment that he will remember forever. 

“I felt like I stole the spotlight from him,” David said. “And he says no Dave, you making eagle after I did makes it even more special.”

Certainly, Jan. 16, 2025 is a day the brothers will never forget.