COMMERCIAL pilot Tully Chambers is usually busy flying eager holidaymakers around the world.
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But, with coronavirus restrictions grounding Jetstar's international fleet, the Port Fairy-raised Chambers is making the most of an extended period in south-west Victoria.
Chambers, 34, is working as a carpenter's labourer for dad Jim while he waits for international travel to resume.
Time off is spent on the golf course.
The extra rounds have paid off with Chambers celebrating the rare feat of two hole-in-one successes in five days recently.
He scored an ace in a practice round before repeating the effort in competition last Wednesday.
Chambers, who has played since childhood, said it was "pure fluke to happen twice in a week".
"I've had a couple of rounds since then but haven't had the same luck," he told The Standard.
Chambers' hole-in-ones came on the par three fourth hole at Port Fairy.
"Same hole, same pin position, roughly the same time just on another day and very similar conditions as well," he said.
"The only difference was the first one I hit a seven iron and the second time I hit an eight iron. The second time was a bit better because it was in competition."
Chambers said the aces were the first throughout his long career.
"Most people never get one in their lifetime, they play 50 years and I have been playing since I was six or seven," he said.
"All of a sudden it happened with two in the space of the week. It's a pain it was in COVID time because you can't hug, high five and carry on like pork chops."
Chambers said when it happened the second time it was "surreal".
"It was more 'are people going to believe I did it a second time?'," he laughed.
Chambers was born and bred in Port Fairy and went to school in Warrnambool.
A fascination with planes saw him take to the skies for the first time at 13.
He flew solo for the first time at 16 and now has his "dream job, dream lifestyle" flying Jetstar planes to Hawaii, Bangkok and Japan.
He is currently stood down on JobKeeper.
"A positive to come out of COVID for me - one I get to play golf and get two holes-in-one and the second one is I realise I take my job for granted and how lucky I am," he said.
"I am so fortunate to have a job like that.
"Because I am on an international contract I will be the last to go back. Our whole international fleet is grounded."
Chambers learnt to fly in Mailors Flat and Hamilton.
"I flew solo when I was 16 and then as soon as I finished year 12 I went to Hamilton and did the Sharp commercial pilots' course," he said.
He worked for Royal Flying Doctors before joining Jetstar seven years ago.
"(For) now I am a labourer with my younger brother and dad. I feel like an idiot, I don't know anything but I know how to fly a $400 million jet," Chambers joked.
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
