I was down in the desert last week, sweating away the heat wave that gripped all of California. I was in the little town of Borrego Springs, where we’re lucky enough to own a home in a golf community.
I had just finished another miserable round of golf. My swing had vanished to another world, and I was hot and frustrated. My back hurt, my arms felt lifeless, and I was ready, once again, to give up the game.
Then I ran into Jim McConkey, who had also just finished his round and was sitting around having a beer.
“How did you do today, Jim?” I casually asked, not really caring that much but trying to be polite.
“Oh, I had a good day for me,” he replied. “Shot an 81.”
For those readers who don’t play golf, 81 is a very good score for recreational golfers. I’d be thrilled to shoot an 81 these days. But Jim’s 81 is notable for another reason:
JIM MCCONKEY IS 99 YEARS OLD!!!
In fact, he’ll be 100 years old on June 12th. He still plays 18 holes of golf every day, he still has his vodka at 5:00, he still has a full head of hair and he still doesn’t wear glasses. He is my hero.
“Don’t forget I play from the forward tees because I don’t hit it as far as I used to,” he explained with a chuckle and his customary modesty. “But I putted well. Only 27 putts today.”
I just shook my head in awe, once again fascinated by this man’s incredible love of life. I’ve known him for many, many years and always point to him as the perfect example of aging well.
Yes, he’s slowed down a bit. He was walking golf courses until about two years ago and now he rides a cart. And he’s not as steady on his feet. But don’t forget---HE’S 99 YEARS OLD!!
But if he’s slowed down a bit physically, he certainly hasn’t slowed down mentally. He’s as sharp as ever, and his enthusiasm for life hasn’t dampened in the slightest. He loves everyone and everything.
You just always want to be around the guy. I sat down and joined him with a beer. We talked about nothing and everything, but always with a chuckle. The man just loves life.
He’s such an inspiration to all of us who are lucky enough to know him. And there are many who know him. He’s a skiing legend in his native Canada, a member of the Canadian Skiing Hall of Fame and with ski runs named after him at Whistler Mountain in British Columbia, Park City, Utah and other ski resorts as well.
He doesn’t ski anymore. Gave it up a few years ago and moved on. No tears, no regrets. That’s not his style.
He’s still driving, though. When he and his lovely wife (who is only in her 80’s) drive back to their summer home on Vancouver Island in a few weeks, he’ll do his share of the driving. He pulled out his wallet and showed me his license.
“It expires in 2030,” he said with his customary cackle. “I’ll be 104.”
I can already see him barging into the Canadian version of the DMV and joyfully demanding a renewal. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he got it.
We finished our beer and our conversation. I answered all his questions about my life (he’s curious about everyone) and he answered mine. Lots of laughs, as usual. Then I watched as he slowly walked across the 9th fairway to his winter home.
Sure, genetics play a dominant role. But there’s so much more to aging well. If Jim McConkey is an indicator, then throw attitude into the mix. No one is more positive, more cheerful and more inspirational when it comes to aging.
He just keeps going. When he was only 98 years old, he decided to publish his autobiography. He remembers every detail of his remarkable life and finally put it into words. But the most telling part of the whole book is the title he chose, which sums up this beloved man’s attitude so well.
“EVERY DAY IS A BONUS.”
Contact Nick at nickhoppe61@gmail.com. For archived columns, visit www.hoppecolumns.com
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