He usually walks the course - all 5km of it - rather than using a golf cart.
"There's no hills, just a few rises so it's not that hard going."
Mr Landreth plays off a 37 handicap these days and said his round of golf on Saturday had been unremarkable until the perfect shot on the 14th hole, which he made using a 3-wood.
"I don't hit them as far as I used to ... I watched it and at first the ball hit the ground and then rolled along and I looked away. Next thing the guy I was playing with said 'it's gone in the hole!', and sure enough, it had. "
There were congratulations, the club "shouted" for the golfers in the clubroom that day and there was "a bit of cheek" delivered in his direction, he admits.
However, the rest of his round did not quite live up to the magical shot.
"I had some good, some bad holes, just like usual."
He believes a hole in one is a "lucky shot" rather than a skilled one.
"I guess if you're a good player you have more chance of getting one but really it's a lucky shot. Coming in below par on the round is just as satisfying."
Mr Landreth started golf when he lived in Milton and then shifted to Oamaru, Palmerston North and Dunedin, before retiring to Cromwell about 30 years ago.
He worked as an industrial chemist and quality control officer for various woollen mills, starting at the Bruce Woollen Mill in Milton, which he was sorry to see go into receivership this week.
His interests outside sport include Lions, Probus, and writing, especially verse.
He loves golf for the exercise and the challenge involved.
Having chalked up the ultimate shot, he said the goal of most players, as well as scoring a hole in one, was to get down to a scratch handicap.
"I don't think that's likely to happen in my case, but I'm not worried."
His aim is to keep playing "as long as the frame holds out".
When told our reporter would be back in touch when he scored his next hole in one, the response was swift.
"Don't hold your breath."
