The many perks of aging can be enjoyable

Like most senior citizens, I am not really fond of aging. I’d rather be 30, or even 18 again.

But I can’t kick too much. Aging brings with it some cool perks.

One of the perks is attracting the attention of young men and women. If they see me going toward the same door (restaurant, groceries), they quick-step it and open it for me.

They say things like, “Good afternoon sir.”

I simply say thank you very much.

It’s not that I need them opening the door. I appreciate the fact they want to. Someone has a done a good job of raising them.

There are other cool perks of aging. Pat and I can afford to go to the cinema at least once a year. I get my plate first at family gatherings because there is always a youngster offering to get it for me.

The most recent perk, which I did not expect, happened at the Samaritan Hospital fund-raising golf tournament a couple of weeks ago.

When my group came to hole No. 11, we saw a sign standing in the middle of the fairway a good distance out. My cart partner and driver, Rodney Harwood, asked the ladies in the tent about it.

“If you hit it, you win a prize,” one lady said.

Then she added: “If you don’t hit it, you may want to measure it. There is a prize for closest-to.”

I don’t hit the ball very far anymore, usually between 150-180 yards, and that sign appeared to be way out. I asked the lady if she knew the distance. She said 210 yards. Jokingly I responded that my range is only 209.

“Well then, measure it,” she said with a laugh.

When I was ready to go, I asked another playing partner, Bob, to watch my ball, in case it might go awry. Up to then I had hit maybe 30 percent good shots.

I made up my mind to at least hit the ball straight and hope for a good roll. I concentrated on good technique and delivered my best swing of the day.

Bob was amazed when the ball took off. I was amazed. We both thought it might just hit the sign. The shot was right on line. But it bounced a little right when it touched down.

When we arrived at the spot, my shot was right at 210 yards, 24 feet to the right of the sign. I won $75 at the pro shop. More importantly, I won a Seahawks plaque that made Pat very happy.

Thirty years ago, I would have ignored the sign and possible prize. I would have gone past it by 60-90 yards.

I never won a prize with my driver before. Yes, aging does present some great perks – peculiar ones sometimes.