While golfer David McDonald has shot his fair share of 72s over the years, his most recent time doing that was especially memorable.
That’s because the Fall River, N.S., resident is 85.
He shot an even-par 72 last month at the Ashburn Golf Club’s new course, which is long and has huge, fast greens. It’s one of the tougher courses in the province.
“I was very excited to shoot 72 because I hadn’t done that in a while,” he said. “You know, one time it used to be routine … it was a good day. Everything fell into place.”
McDonald typically plays from the silver tees, which at almost 5,800 yards means it’s still a long trek around the course, but not as long as the 7,000 yards it is from the back tees.
In golf, shooting your age is considered a big achievement. To beat it by 13 strokes is remarkable.
Meet the 85-year-old Nova Scotia golfer who shot 72
McDonald golfs three or four times a week and walks the course most times.
He said he had some heart trouble in the past, but his knees, hips and legs are still strong. He doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” he said. “I guess that’s the way I look at it.”
Friend Peter Stirling witnessed McDonald shoot the 72.
“It’s tremendously impressive,” said Stirling. “I mean, for one thing, he walks whenever he can. He hates to ride a cart, unless he gets very hot. He keeps fit. He walks all winter.
“He doesn’t practise much anymore, but he did a lot back in the day when he was playing competitive golf. And he’s just a great guy to play with.”
CBC News recently followed McDonald around the golf course for a few holes. With the cameras rolling, he hit his drives straight down the fairways, nailed a tough, blind bunker shot to within two metres of the hole and hit clutch putts.
This consistency is what allows the octogenarian to score well. He usually shoots in the high 70s.
McDonald, originally from Dominion, N.S., took up the game when he was 30 and was stationed in Cape Breton with the air force. He took to the sport “like a duck to water” and within a few years was shooting in the 70s.
He won three national titles playing in military tournaments.
During his time in the military, golf was such a big part of his life that some people said he golfed more than he worked.
“I don’t really believe that, but it was enjoyable,” he said.
McDonald retired from the military in 1995 and settled in a Fall River subdivision, a purposeful decision as it’s a five-minute drive from Ashburn’s new course.
From 1996 to 2000, he won the provincial senior men’s championship each year. That tournament is open to players 55 and older.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Cape Breton Sport Hall of Fame.
McDonald has 17 career holes-in-one and has been chasing his 18th for the past three years.
Stirling said he witnessed two of the aces. The latter one was especially memorable.
McDonald and a golfer named Terry Keyes were going up against Stirling and another person in a match.
“Terry said to Dave, ‘You better hole this, we need to win the hole,’ and he put it in the hole,” said Stirling.
McDonald cites healthy eating and exercise as the keys to longevity.
“I don’t want to sit at home and do nothing, but this great game has kept me on the go and it inspires you to every day come over here and play and practise and be with your friends really,” he said.
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