When my grandmother turned 70, she decided that it was time for her to learn tennis. She didn't win many matches, but she always had fun doing it, and became a huge inspiration to my entire family. She proved to all of us that age shouldn't be a deterrent from exercise and enjoying life. I recently even read about how grandmothers are getting into weightlifting. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is.
Gus Andreone is a 103-year-old member of the Professional Golfer's Association of America (PGA) who just shocked everyone when he broke the record for oldest person in history to sink a hole-in-one, or as it's called professionally, an "ace." The crowds were amazed when one good stroke by Gus on the 113-yard, 14th hole of the Lakes Course at Palm Aire in Sarasota, FL made the ball fly across the green and into the hole. He beat out 102-year-old Elsie McLean, who previously held the record for oldest person to hit a hole-in-one.
This is an accomplishment most golfers never achieve, regardless of their age. The odds of a recreational golfer sinking a hole-in-one is 12,500 to one. For a professional golfer, the odds are 2,500 to one.
When he goes golfing, Gus uses a cane to walk up to the tee and admits to having some balance problems. In spite of all the press, Gus remained level-headed about the whole thing. He told Tampa Bay Fox 13, "I just got my arms in the air, just like anyone else would do…I am going to play golf as long as I can. As long as I can swing a club, even if I have to play three or four holes, I'm going to play golf."
This is the eighth ace of his professional career, and he's hoping that it won't be the last.
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Gus has been a member of the PGA of America for over 75 years. On his 100th birthday, his home club in Sarasota erected a statue of Gus in his honor.
The PGA says that the statute "symbolizes the humble man's unpretentious affection for the game, his profession and what it means to wake up every day knowing that there's more golf to be played."
Gus served under General George S. Patton in World War II. He was a member of the 10th Armored Tiger Division that helped liberate Europe.
Shortly after retiring in 1977, Gus won the Pennsylvania state lottery. He won the lottery two more times when he moved to Florida. He now receives $1,000 a week for life. He definitely credits most of his luck and success to "the man upstairs."
Gus tells the PGA that he stays fit by doing a certain set of exercises every morning that help his knees, back, and hips. He also takes a spoonful of honey in his coffee every morning.
Gus manages to make it to the golf course at least three times a week. He's been married to his second wife, Betty, for 28 years. He says they key to longevity is to just keep doing what you do every day.
After his hole-in-one, at a weekly event called "Wacky Wednesday," members of Gus's golf club gave him a standing ovation when his achievement was announced.
Gus is proof that age should never deter you from doing what you love to do. At age 103, he's breaking records and taking names!
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