Oak Bay High student Luke Bernakevitch, 15, stunned the golfing world by scoring an albatross on the par-4 second hole at Olympic View Golf Club. This remarkable feat occurred during the Victoria Police high school golf championship on April 23rd.

What is an Albatross?

An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is scoring three under par on a hole. It is exceptionally uncommon, particularly on a par-4, with odds estimated at roughly six million to one.

The Unbelievable Shot

Bernakevitch’s shot, hit from 305 yards, involved a slight fade that landed just short of the green. The ball took one bounce and then went directly into the hole. His coach and playing partners reacted with immediate excitement and disbelief.

Challenging Hole Layout

The second hole at Olympic View Golf Club presented a challenging layout, guarded by water on the right, a treeline on the left, and a bunker protecting the green. Bernakevitch described hitting a ‘tight fade’ towards the pin, acknowledging the potential for trouble.

A Round of Ups and Downs

Interestingly, Bernakevitch’s round was a rollercoaster of scores. He began on the par-3 fourth hole in a shotgun start, followed by a double-bogey, then the incredible albatross, and concluding with another double-bogey. Despite the fluctuating scores, the albatross was the clear highlight.

Tournament Results & Recent Success

He finished third individually in the 127-golfer field. Bernakevitch recently won a Junior Players Tour (JPT) event in Chilliwack by 17 strokes, finishing at 10-under-par. Last summer, he secured the B.C.U17 championship with a five-shot victory at 9-under.

Dedication and Support

Bernakevitch attributes his recent success to dedicated practice and the support of those around him, emphasizing his ability to perform well under pressure. His coach, Aaron Frampton, praises his talent, humility, and focus, noting he is one of the top junior golfers in British Columbia.

Coach's Perspective

Frampton highlighted Bernakevitch’s dedication, sharing that even after achieving the albatross, his immediate plan was to practice putting.

Other Championship Results

On the girls’ side, Emma Kral won by 14 strokes at 2-over-par, with Vienna Scheffer finishing second at 16-over. Royal Bay secured the team title for the second consecutive year, also placing a second team as runner-up. Oak Bay finished 10th among 35 teams.