Shipley Creates TLG Golf History As His ACE Helps Deliver Bay Golf Club Success

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Neal Shipley was the toast of his Bay Golf Club side and also TGL Golf in recording the first ace in the short history of the League last night in Florida.

The 25-year-old Ohio State golfer holed out at the par-3, 110-yard, fifth hole and then holed a 16-foot birdie on 14 for his Bay Golf Club team to go 8 -5 up ahead of an impressive 11-5 victory over rivals the Los Angeles Club at the SoFi Center.

The match was a definite must-win for Ming Woo Lee led Bay club team after their 0-2 start to the 2026 season, and thanks to Shipley’s effort they’re back in the post-season mix and have a chance at getting into the top four by season’s end.

The same goes for Los Angeles, which falls to 1-2-0.

KEY MOMENTS

Coming up Aces: Luke Clanton called it walking back from the Green alongside Shipley.

“Give me a hole-in-one here. Please,” Clanton said to his teammate.

Moments later, Clanton was draped over Shipley’s shoulders like a backpack celebrating the first ace in TGL history. Shipley got it done at the 110-yard par-3 fifth, Set in Stone – the shortest hole ever played at SoFi Center. The 2024 Masters low amateur hit a soaring shot with a wedge that landed on the back fringe and spun into the hole. Teammates, fans and even the opponents got in on the celebration, with Los Angeles handing out high-fives for the newcomer. Safe to say Shipley’s debut is going to be tough to top.

Paying the Toll: Min Woo Lee showed off some serious traj skills at the Last Toll, a new par 3 for TGL that’s seen just one player hit the green prior to Monday. Lee struck a baby draw through bridge columns inside nine feet. It was a 211-yard 7-iron for those keeping track at home. Clanton made sure it didn’t go to waste and drained the putt to give The Bay a 1-0 lead to set the tone for the rest of the match.

TRIPLES

The Bay capped a strong session with a win and point at No. 9 to go up 5-3 and steal the momentum back from LAGC.

Trailing 4-0, Los Angeles cut the deficit in half with an early Hammer throw after tee shots at the par 4 sixth, Straight Up. The Bay made a mess of the hole and eventually conceded to make it 4-2. LAGC picked up another point at the seventh when Tommy Fleetwood hit a perfect tee shot at Stinger, flighting a driver just barely above the ground to get under the overhanging rock.

Shipley sent SoFi Center into a frenzy with an ace at the par 3 fifth, Set in Stone, playing just 110 yards. Shipley took advantage and gave The Bay a 4-0 lead with one swing of the club.
The Bay discussed a potential Hammer throw at the third, The Last Toll, with Clanton standing over a 9-foot birdie putt. They opted to keep it in their pocket and Clanton made the putt to get The Bay on the board first with a 1-0 lead.

The Bay let the Hammer fly on the next hole, Bay Breaker, where they held home court on their Team Hole and picked up two points to go ahead 3-0.

SINGLES

Neil Shipley the hero in the Bay GC’s six point victory over the LA Golf Club side – Image TGL

With an ace already in the books, Shipley called game at the 14th when he drilled a 16-footer for birdie worth two points to make it 9-5 and secure a crucial victory for The Bay. The team also won the last hole with the Hammer in play to make the final 11-5.

Clanton stepped up in his TGL debut with an eagle at the 10th and the Hammer in play, earning two points to top Tony Finau and give The Bay a 7-3 lead with five holes to play. He later saved a point with a huge 10-foot birdie make for a tie at No. 13.

Fleetwoood responded to the eagle with a win and point at Cut the Sails to bring Los Angeles within three points with four to play.

Sahith Theegala kept the momentum with a great tee shot at the par 3 Cenote, prompting a Hammer throw from LAGC. The Bay declined as Los Angeles cut the deficit to 7-5.

THEY SAID IT

The Bay Golf Club: “This is different than any hole-in-one I’ve ever had before. This is amazing. Wow. This is so cool.” – Neal Shipley following the first ace in TGL history.

Los Angeles Golf Club: “It was great being back with the boys. Thought the atmosphere was great, Tony set the crowd off in the right way … we just couldn’t quite build any momentum. It felt like we were always on the back foot and any time we did something right we couldn’t quite get over that hurdle.” – Tommy Fleetwood

NEXT AT SOFI CENTER

TGL returns with a doubleheader on Monday, Feb. 23, when Atlanta Drive GC and Boston Common Golf kick things off at 5 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is back at it in the night cap, taking on Atlanta at 9 p.m. ET.

The Bay heads back to SoFi Center the following night for a Feb. 24 doubleheader. They take on New York in the opening match at 5 p.m. ET, followed by Boston vs. New York at 9 p.m. ET.



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