Friendship, fitness and golf: Two seniors keep swinging
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Vernon Maggart and Robert Lock are two of the oldest golfers at Copper Hill Golf Course, but age hasn’t stopped them from enjoying the game they love.
Maggart, 86, has been coming to Copper Hill to play golf for about 20 years. But his friendship with Lock really took off about five years ago.
“First time I met Bob was when he was looking for his golf ball, playing by himself and so we thought we would like to play with each other and that’s how it all started,” he said.
Since then, the two have made golfing together a regular part of their week. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, you can usually find them out on the course.
Maggart, who has Parkinson’s disease, said being outdoors and staying active are important to him.
“It’s a challenge you know, it really is and besides exercising is really beneficial for,” he added.
For Maggart, one of the best parts of golf is the feeling he gets when everything comes together and he hits a great shot.
Lock, 83, has been golfing at Copper Hill for about six years. Like Maggart, he enjoys the opportunity to spend time outside and stay active.
“I like golfing because it keeps me outside and moving around. It’s one of those things you can do by yourself or with other people,” he said.
Lock said Maggart has taught him a lot over the years, but some of his favorite memories simply come from being out on the course together.
For Lock, one of the biggest challenges is getting the ball where he wants it to go.
“Maybe getting it on the green, a good put and a good chip maybe,” Lock added.
One of his favorite memories at Copper Hill came when he hit an eagle on No. 8, a hole he jokingly described as having “the smallest green in the world.”
Mike Habermehl, a teaching professional at Copper Hill, said seeing Maggart and Lock at the course has become almost like clockwork.
“It's a game of a lifetime and that’s what I tell people. For a lot of sports, we all have to finally quit it at some point in time, but golf you can play till you can’t walk anymore,” he said.
His message to both Maggart and Lock is simple: “Keep swinging.” He loves watching them come out and play golf and he hopes they’ll keep doing it for years to come.
