More than par for the course
By Donna Barker
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dbarker@bcrnews.com
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| Betty Mercer gets ready for a spin around the Wyaton Hills Golf Course. The 89-year-old Princeton woman says she’d go golfing every day if she could. In spite of an eye disorder which limits her vision, Mercer said golfing is still her favorite sport. The fresh air and activity is good for her, she said. |
PRINCETON — Most every day is a good day for golf, according to Betty Mercer of Princeton.
Mercer, who will turn 90 years old on Feb. 13, has golfed regularly for more than 25 years, even after she was diagnosed 11 years ago with a macular degeneration eye disorder. Rain or shine, good scores or bad scores, good eyesight or not so good eyesight, Mercer still loves her golf.
Golfing helps keep her young, Mercer said.
“I just like being outside so much,” Mercer said. “There’s something about being active and being in the fresh air that just makes you feel better.”
Max and Linda Halberg, owners of the Wyaton Hills golf course, have known Mercer for years. She’s the first golfer out on the course in the spring and the last one to leave at the end of the year, Max said.
Linda described Mercer as a die-hard golfer and a great role model for other people to live healthier, more active lives.
“Betty’s here from when the snow leaves to when the snow comes back,” Linda said.
Linda also described Mercer as a determined woman, recalling the several surgeries Mercer has had during winter months. Mercer’s doctors would tell her she probably wouldn’t be able to golf that year, but she always proves them wrong, Linda said.
Mercer is always nicely dressed for her golf outings, with matching earrings and necklace and pretty clothes, Linda said. Mercer’s hair is done, and she’s wearing make-up.
“Betty is really an inspiration to me,” Linda said. “She loves being outside and staying active. I wish we all could be like her.”
Mercer said her poor eyesight does put some limitations on her golfing, but not many. She drove herself to the golf course every day until last spring when she could no longer see well enough to drive her car. Since moving to Greenfield Retirement Home in June, the staff are very good to take her to the rural Princeton golf course several times a week, she said.
In spite of her eye disorder, Mercer can see peripherally, see in the distance, and see down to the ground to hit the golf ball. Her worst vision is directly ahead of her, short distances, so she can no longer read books.
But the Halbergs are always there to help her out, Mercer said. Linda carries Mercer’s clubs for her to the golf cart and then puts the key in the starter for her, though Mercer drives the golf cart herself.
Max said he enjoys watching Mercer on the golf course. Sometimes, he’ll shout an encouraging word over to her to hit to the left or right a bit.
Once she's finished with her nine holes, Mercer will go into the club house and have a Mountain Dew. Sometimes, she’ll take a Snickers candy bar with her as a treat for after dinner.
Through the years, Mercer said she has had hundreds of golf clubs. The ones she has now are getting old, but they're still good enough.
“If I was younger, I’d buy a new set right now,” she said.
Mercer concedes she doesn’t golf as well as she once did, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be putting away her clubs any time soon.
“I like the challenge of golf,” Mercer said. “One day you might play decently and the next day, you feel like you’re just beginning again. But I still like being outside and getting that fresh air. If I play badly one day, so be it.”
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