Health & Fitness: Young at Heart: Golf Digest Magazine

Young at Heart

Text Size:: Small Text; Medium Text; Large Text

Print E-Mail Feeds Share

These venerable golfers prove that this really is a game for life. How'd they do it?

ELSIE MCLEAN / 102 CHICO, CALIF.

Photo By Thomas Broening

Making a hole-in-one is on every golfer's to-do list. For McLean, it was a long time coming, but in April she became the oldest person on record to make an ace on a regulation golf course. Her hole-in-one came on the 100-yard fourth hole at Bidwell Park Golf Course in Chico, Calif., and it led to appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," where she received a golf cart for her accomplishment.

"I was using the driver when I made my hole-in-one. I knew I hit a pretty good shot, but we were up at the green and looking and looking before one of the girls said it was in the hole. I said, 'Oh my, it can't be,' but sure enough, there it was. I've never really been one for publicity, but people keep calling. It's been a little overwhelming, but I'm trying to just have fun with it.

"I've been playing golf for over 70 years. I started when I was in my early 30s. I was always pretty athletic growing up, so I was able to pick it up pretty easily. Golf has been a major part of my life ever since.

"I've shot my age three times, the last time when I was 95. I was a 16-handicap at one point, but now I'm higher than that. I've lost my game around the greens a little, but I love my driver.

"I never did anything special to stay healthy. I drink lots of coffee and eat lots of salt. They say you shouldn't eat too much of it or you won't live a very long time. Well, how come I've lived to be 102? If you want to keep playing golf, you've got to enjoy yourself, quit complaining about your aches and pains and stay away from doctors."

BOB EXTER / 94 RIVERSIDE, CALIF.

Photo By Joey Terrill

Exter was a decent player, but his career forced him to wait 45 years to return to the game he loved.

"When I was about 10 years old, I began caddieing at Hickory Hills Country Club outside of Chicago. The course allowed the caddies to play all day on Mondays, and I fell in love with the game.

"I reached my peak when I was about 42. I won the club championship at the club I belonged to at the time, and my handicap was about a 4. Unfortunately, soon after that, I quit my job and started my business. It took 45 years to build up a business and sell it. I sold it when I was 91, but in all those years I didn't play any golf. My kids were growing up, and I just didn't have the time.

"When I got back into the game, I was very enthusiastic. Back when I was playing well, I made a hole-in-one on a 236-yard par 3. Today, I can't even hit it 200 yards off the tee, but I can hit it straighter than ever. I don't see too well anymore, so if I didn't hit it in the fairway, I wouldn't be able to find the ball.

"I've always believed it was important to stay healthy. I'm very careful about my diet, and every morning I do my calisthenics, some sit-ups and some stretching.

"The last four years I've played in the Octogenarian Open at Jurupa Hills Country Club in Riverside. It's nice to get to compete. Last year, I won the over-90 flight with a 44 for nine holes. This year I shot 43 and ended up losing by six shots. The guy who beat me had just turned 90. But I'm going to get him."