Senior golf professionals celebrating on pristine green fairway at PGA Golf Club in sunny Port St. Lucie, Florida
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Golf Pros 71 and 78 Prove Age is Just a Number at Florida Championship

BS
BrightWire Staff
3 min read
#golf championship #senior athletes #pga professionals #florida sports #age-defying performance #inspiring sports stories #competitive golf

Veteran golf professionals showed that peak performance has no expiration date at PGA Golf Club in Florida. Gary Robison, 71, and Judd Gibb staged thrilling comebacks while 78-year-old Wendell Coffee bettered his age by an impressive 19 strokes combined, inspiring golfers everywhere.

The final round of the Quarter Century Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, delivered a masterclass in perseverance and skill as seasoned golf professionals proved their competitive fire burns as bright as ever.

Gary Robison, a 71-year-old instructor from Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indiana, turned in a performance that would make players half his age envious. Starting the day outside the top five, Robison caught fire on the back nine with a scorching 5-under 30 to finish with a 65. His remarkable round forced a playoff with first-round leader Kirk Stauffer, where Robison claimed victory with a steady par on the first extra hole.

"I didn't miss a green or a fairway. Everything was really good," Robison said of his stellar back nine performance. This marked his second PGA Winter Championship win in just one year, testament to his dedication to constant improvement. "At my age, trying to stay healthy and not lose ground," he reflected with characteristic humility.

Meanwhile, Judd Gibb of Hanson's Custom Golf in Fort Dodge, Iowa, orchestrated his own thrilling comeback. After starting the final round tied for sixth place, his putter came alive on the back nine with five birdies in a six-hole stretch. His 5-under 67 on the Wanamaker Course secured the 50-to-64 division title by three shots. "My putter got really hot on the back nine," Gibb explained, adding that he'd been eager to join his friend Chad Proehl, a previous champion, with his name in the clubhouse.

Golf Pros 71 and 78 Prove Age is Just a Number at Florida Championship

The inspiration didn't stop there. Wendell Coffee of Peachtree City, Georgia, captured the Half Century Championship at age 78, shooting a remarkable 2-under 69 to edge out the first-round leader. Coffee's combined 19 strokes better than his age over two days showcased the incredible skill level these veterans maintain.

Perhaps the most heartwarming moment came from 91-and-a-half-year-old Bill Moser of Lilburn, Georgia. Despite taking a fall before the round that left him bleeding and requiring gloves on both hands, the oldest player in the field persevered and was rewarded with a hole-in-one on the 127-yard fifth hole. "At my age, I'm just thankful to be here," Moser said of his third career ace, embodying the joy and gratitude that makes golf such a special sport.

The tournament, which took place under beautiful 80-degree South Florida weather, also featured an albatross by Rodger Hogan on the par-5 13th hole, adding to the day's magical moments.

Why This Inspires

These championship rounds remind us that passion, dedication, and skill don't fade with age. Robison's commitment to "working on your game and trying to get better" demonstrates that the pursuit of excellence is lifelong. Gibb's persistence in chasing his dream of winning, Moser's determination to play despite injury, and Coffee's age-defying performance all send a powerful message: our best moments aren't confined to youth. These champions inspire golfers of all ages to keep competing, keep improving, and keep showing up, because remarkable achievements can happen at any stage of life.

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Based on reporting by Google News - Championship Win

This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.

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