Gary Player is 72 years young. A fitness fiend and one of golfs 3 senior gentlemen. He is the lesser known of Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer, but of the 3 he is the only one still actively competing in the Masters. When he launched his tee shot Thursday he broke Arnold Palmer’s record of 50 Masters tournaments. Although Arnold had 50 consecutive appearances. Player started his professional career in 1957 at the age of 25 and is a 3 time Masters Champion winning in 1961, 1974 and 1978.

I watched a replay of the first two rounds and was both amused and amazed at the physically fit 72 year old as he methodically approached the most treacherous golf course in the majors. His second round score of 83 is only 11 strokes more then his age, but unfortunately left him outside of the cut to participate in the weekend rounds.

 ”Ive always said the thing about second [is] only your wife and your dog know about it,” he said, adding, “that’s if you’ve got a good wife and a good dog.”

Player also holds the record for most British Open events - 46.

The wins represent a large part of the success for a player who won nine career majors and is one of only five to have earned the career Grand Slam.

Watching him made me realize how special he, Jack and Arnold are to the game and as reminders of our own mortality. I remember growing up watching them, never considering what it will be like to not have them around to watch and enjoy. Today there are one or two guys on tour that help fill the void, but it is unlikely that I will be alive to see them retire into the winter of their careers as I have Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

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