Did a McLaren manager just set England’s longest hole‑in‑one with a 411‑yard ace?

Record‑breaking 411‑yard hole‑in‑one at Great Barr Golf Club

Matt Vigurs, 32, a product and training manager for McLaren, hit what may be the longest hole‑in‑one ever recorded in England. Playing at Great Barr Golf Club in Birmingham, the McLaren executive drove the ball straight into the cup on the par‑four third hole, a distance of 411 yards.

Vigurs described his shot as a "little cut" taken from behind an oak tree that marked his line off the tee. While his playing partners all found their drives, his ball vanished from the fairway.

After searching about 50 yards short of the green – where he expected the ball to have landed – he moved behind the green, found nothing, and finally looked directly into the hole. "I looked a bit silly, but I thought I might as well check the hole and there it was, nestled in the bottom," he told England Golf. "I had to take two or three looks. I couldn’t believe it. They didn’t believe me till I pulled it out of the hole and we just went mad."

England Golf has confirmed that the 411‑yard ace could be the longest hole‑in‑one ever recorded on English soil.

Why a 411‑yard ace matters

A hole‑in‑one on a par‑four is a rarity in itself, and the distance covered makes this feat extraordinary. The average driver distance for a +1 handicap golfer in the UK is roughly 250‑260 yards; covering 411 yards in a single shot indicates a perfect combination of technique, power and favourable conditions.

Vigurs admitted the adrenaline rush made concentration difficult on the following hole: "It was so weird – I couldn’t concentrate for the next hole!" Nevertheless, he continued his round and won his scratch match, while Droitwich Golf Club secured promotion by winning the league on the same day.

Matt Vigurs – from car showrooms to the fairway

Before joining McLaren Automotive in 2023, Vigurs worked for dealer group Rybrook at its McLaren dealership in Bristol. He now holds the role of product, pricing and training manager for the super‑car brand.

His involvement in golf runs parallel to his automotive career. The +1 handicap golfer already had three holes‑in‑one to his name before the Great Barr achievement, including two as a junior at Gaudet Luce. Weeks earlier he added another ace at the Droitwich Club Championships, holing a six‑iron from 191 yards on the par‑three 15th.

Personal reflections on the record shot

The Times reported that Vigurs called the 411‑yard hole‑in‑one "the close second best moment of my life", second only to getting married the previous year.

England Golf championships director James Crampton reacted: "We hear of holes‑in‑one all the time, but a 411‑yard one – it’s the stuff of golfers' dreams!"

Looking ahead – commemorating the feat

Vigurs has kept the ball as a memento and is seeking to have Great Barr Golf Club recognise the achievement. He said, "I’m trying to get in touch with Great Barr so they can give me a flag – I want to get it framed. They were talking about putting a plaque on the hole as well, which would be nice!"

The celebratory atmosphere after the ace was described as "expensive" by Vigurs, underscoring the rare and unforgettable nature of the moment.

As the story spreads through both the motor‑trade and golf communities, it raises an intriguing question for enthusiasts: "What is the longest hole‑in‑one ever recorded in England?" The answer may now be residing in the cup of a 411‑yard par‑four at Great Barr.