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Acknowledging that she has natural athletic abilities, Dixon-Boettler was an avid tennis player for many years. Living in Orinda, divorced with one young son, Dixon-Boettler met Fred, an ardent golfer (now her husband of 28 years) and states that she "probably never would have started playing golf if it wasn't for him." In fact, the very energetic 72-year-old says, "as a young person, I thought 'who would play a slow and boring game like that.'" But then she started playing and discovered that not only is golf far more difficult than she expected ("In tennis, the ball is always moving. In golf, the ball is just sitting there. How hard can it be?" she remembers thinking), "it's such a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors."
Naturally left-handed, Dixon-Boettler spoke with a golf salesperson who, when hearing about her strong tennis backhand, suggested she play golf right-handed. Since left-handed clubs are harder to come by, she took his advice. After only four years of playing, Dixon-Boettler reached the golfer's pinnacle by hitting that hole-in-one at the Moraga Country Club, her home turf.
In Hawaii several years later, Dixon-Boettler and her husband started talking to a man they frequently saw fishing. As luck would have it, the fisherman was Mark Rolfing, an on-course commentator and analyst for NBC/Golf Channel and host of his own NBC Sports series, "Global Golf Adventure." Dixon-Boettler, who is anything but shy, asked Rolfing if he knew of any woman who's ever gotten a hole-in-one playing both left- and right-handed. When he said he was unaware of any, Dixon-Boettler was inspired to take on the challenge; the very next day she ordered left-handed clubs and has been playing that way ever since.
Fast forward to September 2018 at Michigan's famed Threetops Course (considered one of the hardest par three courses in the U.S.). Dixon-Boettler has actually been thinking about switching back to playing right handed, "But," she says, "I keep hearing in my head, 'no woman has ever gotten a hole-in-one playing both right- and left-handed.' And, since life is about making and reaching goals, I decide to stick with the left hand."
She plays the first hole but can't find the second one "and I'm so embarrassed. We're holding up foursomes behind us because we can't find the hole," Dixon-Boettler reports. They finally find it and she swings again. "Now we can't find the ball. Optimistically, when you can't find your ball," Boettler continues, "you look in the hole. And, amazingly, there it is. The ball marked with my signature 'L.'"
Excitedly asking if anyone witnessed this, someone from the group behind them responded and he verified this incredible accomplishment to the course golf pro.
According to the National Hole-In-One Registry, only three people are listed as scoring a hole-in-one from both left and right sides: Dixon-Boettler and two male golfers. Communications with the USGA revealed similar information: there are 21 times listed when someone achieved a hole-in-one playing right- and left-handed, but there are no names or genders associated with this list. "You are the first verified woman that's ever done this," Dixon-Boettler was advised by Jerry Tarde, Golf Digest editor.
Not one to ever rest on her laurels, Dixon-Boettler is now reaching for new goals which don't include tennis rackets or golf clubs.
Twenty years ago, with a bad back and on her doctor's recommendation, Dixon-Boettler started swimming. She now swims competitively in the Masters Championships and won three first place medals for her age group in the Senior Games earlier this month.
Dixon-Boettler no longer plays tennis. She still plays golf, although says she'll probably switch back to playing right-handed. And she swims as frequently as possible. "That's what I really love doing," she says.
A spiritual woman who reads psalms and proverbs every day while sitting in her favorite chair taking in the beautiful views from her Moraga Country Club home, Dixon-Boettler, who prides herself on being a motivator, hopes to inspire others to keep moving, no matter how old. And, she proudly states, "You can learn new skills at any age."
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA