Norm Manley: Long Beach’s King of Aces

By Clint Wood

Standing on the tee at Recreation Park 18, hole 5 — Playing downhill 110‑yard par 3 — I struck a shot. It landed, rolled, and disappeared into the cup. My first hole‑in‑one.
For me, it was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime thrill. For most golfers, it’s a story they may never get to tell. The odds of an amateur making an ace are about 1 in 12,500. Even seasoned professionals average only one every few thousand rounds. That’s what makes the achievement so special: it’s rare, it’s personal, and it’s unforgettable.
But here in Long Beach, we have a legend who made the impossible feel routine.

A Long Beach Original
Norm Manley was a proud Long Beach golfer. He still holds the Guinness World Record for the most hole-in-ones ever recorded: 92. His feats became part of local lore, celebrated not just in Southern California but across the golf world.

• 92 career aces — a number that still boggles the mind.
• The rare “Great Albatross” — a hole‑in‑one on a par 4.
• Recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records.
  While most golfers spend a lifetime chasing one ace, Manley made them part of his identity. His name is etched into golf history, but here in Long Beach, it’s also a point of hometown pride.

Putting It in Perspective

• Tiger Woods: 20 career aces.
• Moe Norman: 17.
• Average golfer: 0–1 in a lifetime.
• Norm Manley: 92.
  The odds of making a single ace are astronomical. The odds of making 92? Beyond calculation. Manley’s record isn’t just about luck — it’s about relentless play, precision, and a fearless approach to attacking pins.

Inspiration for Every Golfer
I think back to my own ace at Rec Park 18. Now, I realize how much more I appreciate Norm’s accomplishment. For me, it was one shining moment. For him, it was a lifetime of them.
As I approach my game now, I try to think a little more like Norm. To play with confidence. To aim boldly. To believe that the next swing could be the one. Maybe, just maybe, his story will inspire me to add at least one more ace to my own journey.

A Legacy That Belongs to Long Beach
Norm Manley’s record may never be broken. However, it belongs to more than just the record books. It belongs to Long Beach. His story contributes to our city’s golf heritage. It reminds us that greatness can come from our own fairways and greens.
For every golfer who tees it up in Long Beach, whether at Rec Park, Skylinks, or Eldorado, Norm’s legacy whispers the same encouragement: your story matters. Your next swing could be the one.

Closing Reflection
On September 13, 2024, I had my moment. Norm Manley had 92 of them. And that’s the beauty of this game. Whether you’re a weekend golfer or a world‑record holder, golf gives us stories that last a lifetime.
Norm’s story is Long Beach’s story. And it’s one worth telling again and again.