ESTERO, Florida – The highlight of Estero Country Club member Joe McAvoy’s amateur golf career had been a second place finish in the senior club championship in 2015. Unlike most feel-good golf stories, there just aren’t a lot of trophies, plaques or ribbons displayed in his home adjacent to the 15th fairway at the 18-hole par 72 course in the gated, golf community known as The Vines.
The retired auto industry executive from the Pontiac, Michigan area, who celebrated his 89th birthday on June 24, moved to Florida full-time in 2008 to pursue his passion of playing as much golf as his body and weather conditions permit, which in his case is over 200 rounds annually. According to the National Golf Foundation, McAvoy qualifies by definition as an avid golfer, or someone who plays 25 or more rounds of golf per year. In reality, he’s an avid golfer times 10!
Joe McAvoy has a very special golf room in his home that is filled with scorecards. They are scorecards going back 20-plus years and documented with rounds played, courses played, people he played with, scores, including notes about birdies or eagles and other noteworthy things that happened on the course. Right now, you’re probably thinking what’s the big deal?
The big deal is Joe McAvoy has proof that he has shot his age or better over 2000 times in his career so far, and he plans to keep shooting his age for many more years. According to records from the Guinness Book of World Records, the feat of shooting one’s age or lower has been achieved by Mike Barber, with 1,266 rounds as of March 2024. https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/most-times-for-a-golfer-to-score-their-age-and-below
On Friday October 17, Estero Country Club head pro Andrew Plesz and a group of golfing buddies – Mark Miller, Chase Lyons, David Reese and John Side – hosted a surprise party to honor his special achievement. They presented McAvoy with words of high praise and several plaques to recognize the unique accomplishment.
“This record is only possible because I have a great golf course to play every day and wonderful group of golf friends to play with,” said the USGA GHIN 10 handicap who earlier in the day fired nines of 42-46-88, for what he thinks was his 2019 score of shooting his age or lower. “Yes I love the game and enjoy playing a lot of golf which is sometimes six days a week. I can’t tell you how many times I have been on the 17th tee box and say to myself, ‘okay, I need two pars to shoot my age.’ I enjoy the challenge.”
McAvoy in his prime was a 5 handicap and always played from the blue tees which measure about 6,600 yards. In 2016, he fell off a ladder and ruptured his right heel which put him out of action for four months. After that accident, he has been playing from the white tees which measure 6,000 yards.
“This is a special occasion to honor Joe McAvoy, who has been an Estero Country Club member for 27 years,” said head pro Andrew Plesz. “Joe has shot his age or lower over 2000 times which is a remarkable accomplishment and something we are all proud of and happy to share in his success. Joe brings three qualities to the course: passion for golf; good health and good golf game.”
There are many memorable moments in a golfer’s life. Breaking 90, 80 or 70 for the first time, striking a hole-in-one or scoring an eagle on a par-5 hole are some examples most golfers never forget. One cherished moment that few attain is shooting an 18-hole score equal to or less than one’s age on a regulation, full-length, 18-hole course. The beauty of this feat is that it comes later in life, and it is to be savored.
“I’ve known Joe and played golf with him for 17 years,” said John Sides, a 5 handicap and frequent partner. “Joe is a true gentlemen to play with. He never swears or throws a club or gets upset. He plays a lot of golf, like 250 rounds a year, and as long as he stays healthy his streak will continue. And, at 89 years old he is not playing the front tees. Everyone here at Estero loves and respects Joe and we’re all very happy for him.”
The chance of shooting your age in your lifetime depends on how good you are to begin with, at what age you play until, how your average score goes up with age, and whether you play shorter courses as you age. If you are a good player, play a lot of rounds each year, stay healthy and play into your 90s, the probability is good you will do it at least once.
McAvoy first shot lower than his age in 2005 when at age 69 he shot 68 on a par 72 course in Michigan. In 2008 he shot 100 rounds under his age. In 2016 he shot a whopping 251 rounds under his age, all verified by USGA GHIN handicap system. And, at age 85, McAvoy shot 68, which is 17 strokes under his age. The world record is 22, achieved by John Powell at age 86, who shot a 64 in 2017.
There’s no official, global database tracking this statistic for every golfer on the planet but the most commonly cited figure suggests that less than 1% of all golfers will ever accomplish this feat. Research shows some golf analysts and coaches believe the number is significantly smaller, possibly as low as 0.1%, or one in a thousand golfers.
Why is shooting your age or lower so exclusive? Because it requires the perfect collision of two factors that usually move in opposite directions.
* Sustained Skill: The ability to score well, avoid major mistakes, and putt brilliantly.
* Advancing Age: Reaching an age where your score target becomes reasonably attainable.
Most golfers see their scores drift upward as they age, while shooting your age demands that your score drifts downward until it meets your age. It’s a true battle against time, statistics, and your own body.
Joe McAvoy said he’s never spent time contemplating being in the record book for shooting his age or lower. Who needs trophies anyway? Well done Joe! Let us know when you hit 2500.
