I understand and have considered breaking my own promise three times in my life. Each time, in retrospect, I made the right call. It helps that this corporation is a client of my companies and I've been on his show as a guest dozens of times. http://www.charlestonsportsradio.com/
Came close once. Hit a 3 wood, ball stopped 2 inches dead behind the hole! Have no idea how it didn't go in.
I came close to an ace one time that I remember. The ball mark was three feet directly in front of the flag and my ball was about four inches behind the cup. Since I was closest to the hole it did get me a free beer in the 19th hole.