Age ain't nothing but a number

OK, so Tom Watson fell just a little short. Holding a 1-stroke lead heading into the 72nd--and final hole, the 59 year, 317 day old young man's adrenaline was pumping like a 17-year old's, and he hit an 8-iron about 200 yards, pure and solid--but just past the hole and over the green. From there he drew a less-than-favorable lie, putted it within about 8 feet, but left the par putt that would have won the British Open just a little short.

A 4-hole playoff with Stewart Cink saw time finally catch up with Mr. Watson, and a runner-up, rather than a championship, was his final fate.

But that ought to tell us all that age ain't nothing but a number. If a 60-year old man, one who had his hip replaced in October, can go to one of the toughest places in all of professional golf to not only compete--not only make the cut, but challenge for, and actually tie for the title--then how much is left in all of us as we age?

Next year I'll be hitting one of those "milestone" numbers. While plodding along just fine at age 49, you gotta peek ahead just a little. Thanks, Tom, for letting me know it's all good up ahead.