By JOE BULLOCK
Special to the Daily Press
Dad was almost 86 years old when he hit his last golf shot. I was there to see it.
He had been failing physically for months and had not been playing or even practicing. Diagnosed two years earlier with an inoperable heart condition, he had survived longer than his doctor had predicted. To be away from the game and his buddies was hard to endure. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
Our small club, Artesia Country Club, had recently completed a second nine holes, finally giving us a regulation course. Dad had been instrumental in building the original nine in the 1940s and had served as the unofficial advisor to the greens committee since. The board thought Dad would be the ideal person to hit a ceremonial first shot, officially opening the new nine for play.
