DAVID JEFFREY WALTON | A profile Poland senior rules in national golf

At age 95, David Jeffrey Walton of Poland is a national golf champion.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
POLAND -- David Jeffrey Walton of Poland is a personification of optimism.
Not only has Walton won a national golf championship at the age of 95, but he also is looking ahead for an opportunity to repeat in two years in the biennial event.
Walton won the 95-99 age-group championship at the recent 2003 Senior Olympics held at the Honey Bee course in Virginia Beach, Va., with nine-hole scores of 56, 55 and 57 to best two other entries.
Walton achieved his national-championship goal in his fourth attempt, after placing sixth in the 1995 Senior Olympics held in San Antonio, Tex., and then second at both in 1999 tourney in Orlando, Fla., and 2001 event in Baton Rouge, La.
Asked if he plans to defend his title at Pittsburgh in 2005, Walton replied, "If the Good Lord be willing."
Big challenge
Walton said this year's tourney proved to be a big challenge because his age group was required to play from the same longer tees as all of the other male golfers, over a demanding, water-filled course.
"The only holes we could hope to reach in regulation were the four par 3s of 152, 160 and 162 and 166 yards," said Walton, who played riding a cart. "All were guarded by water of over 100 yards and four large bunkers, two on each side of each green.
"Water comes into play at nearly every hole, either frontal or along either side. Each day, [I] lost two golf balls to the water, which fortunately for [me] was better than [my] competition," Walton said.
"The fairways were in excellent condition, as were all the greens except with one exception," he said.
Got allowance previously
Walton said his age group was allowed to play from shorter-distance tees in the local, state and regional meets that led to the Senior Olympics, and also in the 2001 national competition at Baton Rouge.
Although he and the other two golfers in his age class protested at having to play from the longer tees, their complaints were to no avail.
We all "bit the bullet, although it seemed unfair and unrealistic, but we are all in the same boat."
Walton said Honey Bee was "the toughest golf course he has ever played. [I have] played some famous golf courses such as the Olympic Club in San Francisco, St. Andrew's twice, Turnberry in Scotland and several courses in Hawaii."
kovach@vindy.com