SCGA Member Spotlight: Bill Newman

September 16, 2015


Just Getting Started

By: Jonathan Coe

There aren’t a lot of people with two hole-in-ones on their resume, let alone someone recording double aces since turning 90 years old.

Bill Newman, a member at Sea Pines GC, did just that while finding the golf world’s fountain of youth shortly after his 90th birthday in June.

“I’m just extremely fortunate,” said a humble Newman. “I have to grant you that.”

Newman, with a low handicap of 7, has been playing golf for 68 years and shared that passion for the game with his wife, who passed away two years ago.

“She had lorded over me for years because she had two hole-in-ones herself while I only had one,” said Newman. “So when I got the first [since turning 90] I blew a kiss to the heavens.”

That emotional second career hole-in-one came on the first hole at Sea Pines GC is Los Osos. Playing his 10th hole of the day, Bill stuck his pitching wedge from 90 yards and watched the ball disappear into the hole.

A few weeks later, Newman found himself back at Sea Pines GC on the 8th hole, a 145 yard par-3 that would “qualify as into the wind.” This time, Bill pulled out his 3-wood and hit a laser that took a few skips across the green, struck the pin dead-center and dropped into the bottom of the hole.

When asked what about golf keeps him coming back, Newman was quick to answer.

“The camaraderie first and foremost. Then it’s the exercise. I think if I couldn’t walk the course, I would quit. That’s part of it for me.”

Striding down the fairways isn’t the only way Newman stays active in the California climate.

“I play tennis too,” said Newman. “I even hike when I can. I recently went up to the Sierra’s.”

With age comes wisdom, and obviously a great sense of humor too.

After reading a recent obituary, Newman noted that the man had an incredible 13 hole-in-ones in his lifetime, but he didn’t live to see 90.

“Well, since my birthday back in June,” said Newman after being reminded of his torrid pace. “I have been getting a hole-in-one every month!”

You’ve got plenty of time to catch up, Bill.



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