Life-long golfer Jim McGregor from Smithers will compete in the 55+ BC Games in Victoria during September, who enjoys both the solitary and the social aspects of the sport.
“If you make a mistake, it is your own fault and there is nobody you can blame for it,” he said. “I also have a lot of good buddies who play golf and I enjoy the company of them.”
McGregor first attended the 55+ games 10 years ago and recalled attending six of the competitions. He first began golfing with his father roughly 60 years ago.
“I went out with him, graded for him and his buddies and it just fell into place after that.”
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When McGregor retired from his career working in the provincial public service, he had more time to put into the sport. He has done well at many tournaments, and in 2019, he was especially proud when he won the overall low net in the Smithers Golf and Country Club senior men’s open with a score of 151.
He most looks forward to meeting different golfers from around the province, because he enjoys making new friends in the sport. One of his favourite things about golfing in Smithers is meeting people who stop in town during road trips and welcoming them to play a game.
“We get a lot of traffic that comes through here, and a lot of the time people will stop and play a round here when they are on their way to where they are going,” he said. “Anybody that comes to town that needs a game, if I am out there, I am more than happy to let them join me.”
After the games, McGregor’s next big golfing plans will also be in Victoria, but not for competition. He will visit his brother, who also loves golf, to spend some time playing together.
Black Press Media is one of the 55+ Games’s provincial sponsors.
More information on the event is available on the 55+ BC Games website: 55plusbcgames.org.