Schuckman: Klimstra experiences thrill of his lifetime by making first hole-in-one at 86 years old

QUINCY — Dick Klimstra has a few options to consider for what belongs at the top of his bucket list.

Seeing the New York Yankees win another World Series championship probably rises to No. 1.

“If the Yankees win the pennant, that’d be fantastic,” Klimstra said. “I’m a big Yankees fan.”

He’s a diehard Quincy University basketball fan, too.

“If the Hawks have a good year, that’d be No. 2,” Klimstra said.

Watching the Green Bay Packers win another Super Bowl wouldn’t be far behind. All three became more prominent among the Quincy resident’s hopes because Klimstra was able to cross off his No. 1 bucket list item.

He finally made a hole-in-one.

Playing alongside Ken Schuster on Thursday at Westview Golf Course, the 86-year-old Klimstra used an 8-iron from 142 yards to ace the par-3 11th hole. After seven decades of playing golf, it was Klimstra’s first-ever hole-in-one.

“Kenny said, ‘Oh, my God, it went in,’” said Klimstra, who began playing golf as a teenager. “I watched it and it just disappeared. I jumped up and down. It was a fun experience for sure.”

Klimstra put the ball in bag for safe-keeping — he didn’t dare lose it because of a wayward shot — and shared the news with the pros in the clubhouse at the end of his round. They presented him with a Westview logo ball with “Hole-in-one” and “No. 11” written on it.

He plans to get a box to display both balls.

“We’ll get that done and I’ll hang it on the wall,” Klimstra said.

It’ll hang near another special memento. His grandson, who lives in the St. Louis area and has become an avid golfer, made a hole-in-one during the second or third round he ever played.

Klimstra took the scorecard and a short newspaper article about the ace and had two versions framed — one for his grandson and the other for him and his wife, Joan.

“I have that on my wall,” Klimstra said.

After playing the game for so long and coming close to a hole-in-one a few times, Klimstra knows it’s a matter of hitting the ball well and having a little luck on your side to see the ball disappear into the cup.

“I was hitting the ball extremely well today,” Klimstra said after shooting a round of 80 — six strokes better than his age. “That’s what happens. It just happened.”

In this case, it finally happened. Maybe another one will happen, too.

“You just have to be so lucky,” he said.

Klimstra will keep playing and practicing to help foster a little luck. He plays twice per week at Westview on Tuesdays and Thursdays, almost always with Schuster, and he hits balls once or twice per week at the Christensen Golf Academy.

“I feel good,” Klimstra said. “We take a cart and we have a good time.”

His original bucket list goal was to shoot better than his age, something he accomplished when he shot a 76 at the age of 77. He continues to shoot in the 80s, occasionally dipping into the 70s, and feels like his game is improving.

“This year has not been good,” Klimstra said. “I haven’t been hitting the ball very well. So I’ve been practicing more and more. I’m to the point I’m more comfortable.”

And he finally hit what may be the best shot of a lengthy career.

“I’m blessed,” Klimstra said. “What a wonderful day.”