International Falls’ Dr. A.T. Banen isn’t letting old age — he’s 100 — slow him down on the golf course. He enjoys it too much.
For nine holes at the Falls Country Club on Tuesday, Dr. Abraham Theodore (A.T.) Banen experienced a typical, laid back round with three friends.
He hit two shots off the first tee, he hit a second ball on his approach shot on No. 4 after a frustrating first approach and he never had to putt anything within a club length of the hole. Typical occurrences that have been around for years while golfing with buddies.
Except Banen is far from typical.
He’s 100 years old.
“The amazing thing is he isn’t just golfing in International Falls, it’s that he drove from Florida to International Falls to get here,” said Jerome Brekke, one of Banen’s playing partners on Tuesday who at 70, was born around the time Banen was 30.
Banen, known mostly as “Doc,” will turn 101 on Sept. 30. The sharp and quick-witted former local dentist, who retired in 1989, enjoyed his round Tuesday with Brekke, Dan Ganter and Dave Scholler. The foursome guided themselves through the front nine with little frustration (relatively speaking in golf terms) and plenty of banter.
When Doc chunked his first tee shot about 15 yards off the tee, Ganter was quick to quip, “What was that? That’s what mine look like!.”
On hole No. 2, after a frustrating start to the round, Doc admitted he had “to get in a groove here soon.” That’s when Scholler realized Doc’s glasses were left in his car while the duo waited for a small sprinkle to pass before the round. After retrieving the tinted specs, Doc’s next drive was much improved.
“It didn’t go far, but it was straight,” he said.
As the golf continued, it was tough to realize Doc was born the year William H. Taft followed Theodore Roosevelt into the White House. Doc’s lived through 19 U.S. presidents (including Roosevelt), all 27 World Series titles by the N.Y. Yankees and Bobby Jones’ Grand Slam title in 1930. He graduated high school in Chisholm in 1927 and moved to International Falls in 1946 after spending 3 1/2 years in World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart. He served as mayor of International Falls during the early 70s, spent four years as the chairman of the Koochiching County DFL Party, was in Chicago in 1968 during the infamous — and violent — Democratic National Convention and spent numerous hours at his home in International Falls hosting, and fishing with, big time politicians like congressman John Blatnik and Vice President Walter Mondale. He picked up golf in 1956.
“There aren’t many people as lucky as I am,” Doc said.
So what’s his secret to an active life in the triple digits?
“That’s the main thing — you have to stay active and keep using your brain. Most people don’t live long after they retire,” he said, noting a lot of people tend to shut down once they stop working. “Why they think that way beats the hell out of me.”
It also helps to have good genes.
Doc’s two sisters lived to be 101 and 103, respectively, while his brother lived to be only 89. Only? That pales in comparison to one of Doc’s grandmas in Russia who passed away at 106.
“The thing is, when a person gets older you gotta stay active and not sit in front of the T.V. and drink beer all day,” Doc said.
On hole No. 8, Scholler was roughly 95 yards out when Doc pondered his playing partner’s shot.
“9 iron?” Doc asked.
“8 iron,” Scholler replied.
“8 iron? You might go over with an 8 iron,” Doc said.
Scholler proceeded to duff the shot, leaving it 50 yards short.
“Oh fooey!” Doc yelled.
On No. 9, Ganter piped a drive right down the middle.
“Oh Dan, that’s a dandy,” Doc said. “You’re getting stronger as the day gets longer.”
Banen, who has four hole in ones (three in Florida, one in I. Falls) pulled into the clubhouse after nine holes and called it a round. He doesn’t keep his own score much anymore, but who can blame him. He’s out for the “fellowship and sportsmanship” that comes with the game. Plus, he’s experienced enough in nearly 101 years. No need to worry about petty golf scores.
“In another week, I’ll be able to play 18 holes,” he said.
What a century.
“I’ve had an interesting life,” Doc said. “I’ve had fun with it.”
July 31
Banen, at 100 years old, has been golfing 54 years. He was mayor of International Falls in the early 1970s, and worked as a dentist in town for many years.
From Tee to Green
Nickname?
Doc
Best round in 2010?
50 (9 holes)
Been a golfer since ... ?
1956
How many rounds do you play a year?
Play twice a week.
Greatest golf memory?
Watching John Daly in person at a tournament almost miss the ball on the tee!
Dream fivesome?
Tiger Woods
Phil Mickelson
Ernie Els
Tom O’Connell
Dream course for dream foursome?
Pebble Beach
Favorite club?
Driver
Favorite pro golfer?
John Daly
Why do you golf?
Keeps me healthy, and for the good sportsmanship and fellowship.
Toughest shot?
From behind a tree in the rough.
What pro tournament would you like to play in?
Any one of them.
