Golf: A Game For Life- Just Ask Jeanne Forsberg
When Jeanne Forsberg fell in love with golf, Dwight D. Eisenhower was President, Elvis Presley had his 1st number one hit, (“Heartbreak Hotel”), and Sam Snead held off Ben Hogan to win the 1954 Masters. As you can see, Jeanne is still going strong today. Here she is celebrating her 2024 Jacaranda Mixed Member win with partner Nestor Sirvent
The excitement began for Jeanne while she was still in high school in Indiana and was invited on a golf outing with family friends. Thrilled just to be included, Jeanne says she doesn’t remember who she borrowed clubs from, but does remember having the time of her life.
As a college freshman at Ball State University, Jeanne signed up for a course in “recreational sports” which included badminton, bowling, archery and golf, (to think, Jeanne could be carrying around a bow and arrow backpack today rather a golf bag!).
Thankfully, Jeanne chose golf. Her first day of class was a field trip- literally! Instruction took place on a football field- her only piece of equipment, an old 5-iron. It was a start, but it certainly wouldn’t do for the long haul. So, for Christmas Jeanne asked for a set of golf clubs. Well, Santa showed he had style, delivering a beautiful Patty Berg starter set in a red plaid bag!
She played with those clubs for years, that is until a golf pro told her that, at 5’9”, she was too tall for women’s clubs and should switch to men’s sticks.
Jeanne went on to get her Masters at FAU which meant no only would she further her education she could also play golf all year ‘round. Those short Indiana golf seasons were history.
60 some years later, this Plantation resident still loves the game but at 86, Jeanne recognizes her limitations. She says she’s OK with it, but she still works hard to keep her mind and her body active. She’s also dedicated to an exercise routine that focuses on strength, balance and flexibility: all key to keeping her game up to par. Here are just a few.
Jeanne still plays an average of twice a week and on days when she isn’t on the course, she walks, at a brisk pace, for at least 20 minutes. This 86-year-young golfer says she knows she is not the only octogenarian still out there enjoying the game. So, if you are in Jeanne’s “crowd”, we’d love to hear YOUR secrets for staying strong in this “game for life”. Just leave a comment in the comment section below or email us at info@jacarandagolfclub.com
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