Readers of The Virtual 19th Hole will recall that two longstanding members of the BMC’s Age Shooters are Larry Fyten (who’s done it so many times, at so many courses, that not even he can keep count) and Gene Haman, who did the deed at Braemar in 2021, firing an 81 at 81 years young. So, it’s no surprise that each of them has done it again.
Both feats took place on May 7, during Thursday League’s opening day, a day of chilly temperatures and wind gusts up to 18 miles per hour.
For Larry, an 18-year member who makes 87 look like 67, it was just another ho-hummer from the N tees: 41-39, missing a score in the 70’s by a single stroke due to a 3-putt on the last hole. As the math majors and accountants will already have calculated, Larry could have10-putted the last hole and still shot his age. When asked afterwards about his round, Larry simply noted that he was trying to keep up with Bob Devereaux (who’s still playing regularly as he turns 100 this year!).
Similarly, for Gene, a 30-year member who turns 90 next month, the weather was neither too cold nor too windy, as he put a smooth 89 on the board, also from the N tees. After nearly making a sandy on 13, and settling for a bogey, Gene overcame some trouble on 14 and finished strong with three straight pars. In the words of playing partner Clay Halverson, Gene’s round was “not too bad for a guy whose favorite sport is actually pickleball.” As far as Gene’s own reaction to his round, he conceded, in his typically dry wit, that he was just happy to come through the winter without his picture hanging in the post office.
Dick Helde
Editor. The Virtual 19th Hole
helde.richard@gmail.com
612-306-3590