Old Guys Rule

In 3 months I turn 65.

I remember when my dad died at age 54 and I was only 13. I thought he was old. Then I became 54...55...60...and now am at the doorstep of 65. Now I can't believe how young he was when he passed away.

I still feel the same as I did when I was younger.. Don't run nearly as fast or jump nearly as high. Getting in and out of a sports car is tougher. Sitting on the floor and playing games with kids and grandkids is ALOT more strenuous. My memory is . . . ok . . . . not like it was but I'm sure there must be a valid reason for this! I think I bring more to the table when it comes to leadership and business knowledge than ever before.

On Sunday, I was reminded very nicely of how old guys can rule while watching golf. Jim Furyk and Rory McIlroy were vying for the $2.25 million dollar purse at the Player's Championship. McIlroy was born in 1989. Furyk turned pro in 1992. Many of today's most popular golfers - Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Cantley weren't even born when Furyk joined the pro tour. Imagine.

Furyk, who turns 49 this year, birdied the 16th and 18th hole to go 15 under par and tie for the lead with McIlroy. Rory, however, birdied 15 and 16 to put him at 16 under for the win and the prize money of $2,250,000. Furyk did, however, take home $1,350,000. McIlroy averaged over 305 yards off the tee. Furyk was 35 yards shorter. Jim ranks #212 for distance on the PGA Tour.

At the tournament, however, Furyk's driving accuracy lead the tournament with over 80%. The closest person to him was less than 75%. Not shocking when you get older - you can't hit it as far and that becomes less important as a golfer. Being accurate, however, replaces the need to distance.

It did my soul well to see an old guy almost rule that tournament.

Forbes Magazine shared that there are over 50 million Americans over 65. Today's seniors will live longer than any generation in history. One in 5 will need personal care after they reach 85. I'm ok with that. I'd love to have 20 more years of independence.

In 2016 there were over 49 million people over 65. By 2060 that number will be over 98 million Americans over 65. In 2016 there were 82,000 Americans over 100! In 1954, the year I was born, the average life span was 66 for a man and 73 for a woman.

Some experts look at age 65 as the new 50. Others say it is the new 45. I'm not sure what it will be for MK and me, but I do know that we still feel great, dinners will be cheaper at age 65, some TV channels still shows we watched as kids and life couldn't be better! More proof that old guys can rule!

It is all an about attitude and doing the little things that make us grow old gracefully.