John Sabados discovered golf after retirement at the age of 58.
According to the National Golf Foundation, the median age of golfers in the United States is 54, so this is not unusual.
Sabados also carded six holes-in-one on the same hole 20 years apart.
This is surprising because the average player has a 3,000-to-1 chance of hitting a hole-in-one, according to the National Hole-in-One Registry.
Sabados still plays golf twice a week at Southwood Golf Club.
Sabados celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday, January 4th, so this is extraordinary.
“As long as I can swing the club, I won’t give it up. I’m still 100 years old,” Sabados said, laughing. are competitive.”
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Sabados played multiple sports and served in the Navy in WWII
Sabados was born on January 4, 1923 in Dakono, a suburb of Denver, Colorado. He was one of eight children, his home was located off a dirt road. The kitchen had a well pump and a coal burning stove. Many homes in the area still had outhouses as well.
Sabados graduated from high school in 1941 and played multiple sports, from soccer to boxing. He first worked as an inventory clerk and later at the Baum Coal Mine where he worked for $6.48 a day before joining the Navy at age 20. radio man.
Sabados was stationed in Okinawa, where he was in danger several times during his service but was not injured.When World War II ended in 1945, Sabados returned to Colorado. He got married, had two sons, and continued playing sports. He primarily played baseball and fastpitch softball, even playing the popular Barnstorming his team, The King and His, on his court.
Sabados worked for Rocky Mountain Arsenal before retiring at the age of 58.
Sabados’ son Randy introduced his father to golf in 1981. The two went to his range driving and John learned the rules of the game. A stroke if the shot went out of bounds, although he disagreed with the penalty and distance.
“Mom was happy because she had nuts all over the house,” Randy said, laughing. “I asked, ‘Would you like to take him golfing?’ And Dad fell in love instantly.”
That love never faded.
Sabados was a familiar face at his hometown course in Colorado, playing in tournaments and weekly groups. He then served as a member of the board of directors and served as president of the club. Playing on the forward tees, Sabados celebrated his 75th birthday with a four-over par 76. He also has a part-time job at the club, which has an annual tournament officially named after him.
When Sabados’ wife Dorothy died in 1993, he moved in with his son Randy and wife Julie. The family moved to Tallahassee from Colorado last April.
Sabados has never missed a beat or a stroke at Southwood Golf Club.
“He’s a great guy to play with,” said Randy Olavets, former director of sports medicine in Florida. “He still hits drivers like 150 yards. Some great stories are told, some before I was born, he always has a smile on his face, and when you hit a bad shot, he says, ‘It’s time to hit another good shot.’ Here comes everyone in Southwood who is just amazed at his game.
“And his ability to still play golf at 100.”
don’t slow down
Sabados cites genetics, an active lifestyle, and some luck as the main reasons he’s lived such a long and healthy life. He is one of his four brothers who are still alive. George he will be 99 in April. Helen 98 in September. The youngest, his 85-year-old Bobby, still lives in his family’s former home in Dakono and is an active fisherman and hunter. Their mother lived to be 97 years old.
Sabados has never smoked, rarely drinks alcohol, still drives (except at night), and goes out to lunch almost every day. One of his favorite meals is barbecue.
Sabados is also old fashioned. He has a mobile phone, but he rarely uses it. He doesn’t text his messages. He also refuses hearing aids.
When asked about the secret to his longevity, Sabados laughed, “I keep saying it’s wine, women, and songs.”
He still plays golf.
“Really great,” said Randy Sabados.
“He’s still very competitive. If he hits a bad shot, he’s mad at himself. When he hits a good shot, he’s excited. He never gives up.”
