Sask. golfer tees off new century doing what he loves

WATCH: A birthday celebration for a 100-year-old man who still golfs every day was held on Friday. Mick Favel has the story.

Thomson Lake, Sask. — Elvin Mitchell spent his 100th birthday at his “favourite place to be” – the Thomson Lake Golf Course, surrounded by friends, family, and a community of golfers with the same love for the game.

Even at his age, Mitchell still golfs 18 holes every day at exactly 1:30 p.m., with his three golf buddies. The conditions could be rain, wind, sun, or snow and the century-old golfer will still make his tee time.

For Mitchell, golf is much more than just a hobby, it’s a way of life.

“I love the game and I ain’t got nothing else to do now. I’m retired. I just try my best.” Mitchell said on Friday.

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With over 60 years of experience on the course, Mitchell still joins local tournaments – his most recent tourney being just last week. He will rarely miss his weekly men’s and couples’ nights, or his daily tee-time, adjusting his schedule to ensure there are 18 holes of golf in the day.

When asked how Mitchell feels about bringing in his new century, he responded by saying, “I feel the same as I did yesterday,” with a smile.

The golf staff threw their oldest course member a birthday to remember, with decorations, cake and gifts special to Mitchell, including a lifetime golf membership.

Fawn Weisgerber managed the course’s pro-shop for a decade, and decided she wanted to organize Mitchell a party that he – and the rest of the town will remember.

“Elvin has been coming before I even started here,” she said. “He goes in if it’s 40 above or if it’s windy and raining… He’s always in his jeans and his button shirt and his suspenders.”

Fawn added that two years ago on his birthday, Elvin shot a 98 when he turned 98. “So, we’ll see if he breaks 100 this year,” she joked.

Stepdaughter Wenda Packet said Mitchell shares his love of golf with his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren as well.

“It’s always their goal to get grandpa out there with them, if he can get away from his buddies” she laughed.

“His golf is his passion, and he has lots of arthritis problems, but that doesn’t matter, he still has to do his golf. Nothing stops that. Nothing. Wind, rain, snow,” she added.

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Fellow golfer Art Williams is 86 years old and has been Mitchell’s regular partner for over a decade.

“I presume Elvin and I have been golfing 12–15 years together,” he said.

Williams and Mitchell golf together each day of the week, and even during couples’ night at the course.

When asked about why he likes to golf, Williams said it because of “the exercise and the good company of being with people like Elvin.”

“He definitely has a sense of humor and Elvin never looks at yesterday, he always looks ahead at tomorrow. He’s a remarkable person that way... He counts every stroke and he just plays it to the best of his ability all the time,” Williams added about his long-time golf partner.

Mitchell didn’t pick up golf until his mid-40s, and spent his time before that as a farmer and rancher. Now during his off-season, he plays crib, shuffleboard, and bowls regularly.

“He drives over to Glenworth to play those sports,” Weisgerber said. “He does lead a healthy lifestyle ... lots of activity.”