AT 104

One of the great American heroes that I never met, and by the way there are lots and lots of them, died this week at age 104. He lived in the valley and his name was Ed. Diablo, I believe was his last name.

At age 89 he recorded his first hole in one. He loved the game and played often. Actually pretty regularly until last year when his health deteriorated.

He had to be moved to a hospice care facility. He looked forward to returning to his course where he shot the ace 15 years ago. He had to have help, but he stood on the first tee just three days ago and hit 7 tee shots. Six hit the fairway while one trickled out into the rough.

He celebrated, he enjoyed the outing, he even got a phone call from golf pro Don Polley, now one of my favorite golfers. His caretakers knew how much the whole golf experience meant to Ed.

Three days later he passed away. I guess he didn't feel the need to hit any fairway shots, chips, or putts. The quitter.

Just kidding. And even though I never met Ed, I think he might have enjoyed that little jab, my calling him a quitter.

ED--you were a gamer. The game of golf will miss a guy like you. I only regret you and I never got to tee it up for a round or two.