Vi Krisker of Vicksburg took up playing golf well over a half century ago. And she's missed very few days on the course since then. Even at age 98, Vi is an institution at Clear Creek Golf Club in Bovina. And still driving her car, not to mention the golf cart, she is an inspiration. Fellow golfer Rodney McHann has known Ms. Krisker for several years now, and played just behind her team in the senior golf tournament Wednesday, and is in awe of the 98-year-old who gets out here and not only plays, but attacks the course.
"I just turned 70 and it's getting a little bit tougher for me to play these 18 holes. But she'll come out here and she don't just play nine. She's going to get in that cart and she's going to play 18," said McHann. "And hit every drive. She might not can hit it out of her shadow, but she's going to hit it."
Kent Smith is the pro at Clear Creek. He's known Vi Krisker for over 20 years. And when he met her, she would have been considered a senior golfer. But at 98 years old! Well, Kent points out the obvious.
"There's not many people her age period, much less playing golf. She's as strong as ever. In the last 10 to 15 years, you really don't notice any difference in her ability to play and get around and all," said Smith. "She's just a sweetheart. She loves people and she loves golf. That's why she likes to come out here."
I asked Vi her secret for living this long and still being active. She shrugged her shoulders and told me she always ate all of her vegetables and fruits. And then she started telling me what she really enjoys, passing out tips to the youngsters. And pretty much everybody is a youngster to her. And then watching them apply what she's told them to try.
"It's fun watching them try to do what you teach ‘em to do,' said Krisker.
Now as impressive as being 98-years-old and active enough to hold your own on the golf course is, what really may be the secret of staying young is, that at age 98, Vi Krisker is still a teacher. We could all learn something from that.
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