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A Bygone Era

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Real Estate Agent with Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 SA5376460000

It's routine for me to stop in for visits with different clients.  As we all do in this business, they become our friends and almost like family as we get to know them well while helping them buy and sell homes.  Sometimes we are fortunate enough to continue down the family line, helping them with homes as well.  This time I started with a late bloomer.

Golf Course in Arizona

Visiting Bill today I realized he's about TO turn 92!  Bill still plays golf and in fact, shot an 80 last week!  I'm not a golfer, but am a former athlete, so  thoroughly impressed with his score not to mention at his age.  That's quite an accomplishment. 

 

As we continued on with our visit that ended up being a good hour and a half, he continued on with more amazing stories.  He always has some sort of story to make me realize he used to have a pretty large life.  Bill played in the PGA, the former Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour) and I heard stories about him playing in Europe.  He has a regular weekly foursome going here in town and was only out for a week due to slipping down one of the embankments on a golf course  here in Fountain Hills, Arizona! 

 

After his pro days were "over" he switched to designing golf courses.  Many of these courses are here in Arizona and Texas.

 

And with an eye for desiging golf courses, it was a natural (so he says) to switch to painting for pleasure.    He explained that having an eye for depth in golf courses has helped his painting, which he started at 82.  His paintings have sold and many hang in doctors' offices around Scottsdale. What talent!

 

It was fascinating listening to him talk about those days and what it was like to play at his level. Winning tournaments didn't pay nearly as much as it does these days, but that was never mentioned.  He's lived a full life and he still has that smile and sparkle.  

 

We could all learn something from folks like Bill.  Just hearing his stories was my lesson for today.  Tomorrow will be another set of stories.  Only my next visit will be with a 94 year old!  

 

If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Scottsdale area,  give me a call! 

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Comments (11)

Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

What a great visit with someone who has so much to offer in terms of life lessons. How did you happen to meet him in the first place?

Jun 17, 2016 10:13 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

I used to live around the corner from him and watched him walk his dog twice a day!  He's a true gem who has many friends.  In fact, he shared that at his regular restaurants he receives gift certficates frequently and others will pick up his tab just watching he and his wife.  They are adorable.  He's now her full time care giver!

Jun 17, 2016 10:17 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

What a cool story Jan, good for you. You have made a close connection with your clients and I bet they refer you to their family and friends.

Jun 17, 2016 10:20 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Thank you Noah!  He is someone I truly admire and feel he's teaching me life lessons :)  Enjoy your day!

Jun 18, 2016 02:30 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

What a wonderful story. For some reason, my last few years have been peppered with vital and interesting people in their 80s and 90s. Bill sounds like a treasure

Jun 17, 2016 10:44 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Then you know exactly what I'm talking about!  Today I'll be visiting a 94 year old and his wife in assisted living.  Dear people who are also talented, gifted educators.  

Jun 18, 2016 02:31 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

As some of us get older we look forward to the days when we can at least shoot our age on the course.  Bill has done that and then some, but them that should be expected from a former PGA pro.  Don't want to share his last name?

Jun 17, 2016 11:24 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Yes, he is very talented in many ways.  His name is Johnston.  I'm sure you'll find information about him, but I didn't see anything about him playing in the French open, but saw the video he showed me.  Really neat stuff!

Jun 18, 2016 02:33 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'm not a golfer, but there are many golf communities in my area and I love listings there.

Jun 17, 2016 01:27 PM
Tammy Lankford,

Of course I tend to visit with lake clients more ... lots of visits done by boat in the summer months.  Love finding folks on their dock and stopping by to visit a while.  

Jun 18, 2016 01:30 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

They are indeed nice properties!


 

Jun 18, 2016 02:33 AM
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Wow! Jan Green ,  He's doing OK, being 92, playing golf so good and still seeing to paint.  I could be so lucky.

Jun 17, 2016 01:57 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

You aren't kidding.  And his paintings are true works of art!

Jun 18, 2016 02:34 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Jan. I loved this story and look forward to your next one. So much meaningful in this.

Jun 17, 2016 11:14 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Thank you Sheila!  Today I'll be visting Allen Dutton and his wife in an assisted living facility.  Google search him and his book Arizona Then and Now!  He's 94!

Jun 18, 2016 02:34 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's never to late to start something new, is it?  I want to be like this in my golden years.

Jun 18, 2016 02:44 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

At least starting something new is refreshing.  All too often we see elders not trying new things and they become "stale!"  Great idea Chris Ann.  Enjoy your weekend!

Jun 18, 2016 02:49 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Is there anything Bill can't do, Jan Green????

Your story gives me hope on many levels.  I'm hoping that I can still learn and improve in many ways as I grow older.  Can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to shooting a round of 80 ... next week or  when I'm 91 yrs old!

Great lessons for us all, Jan ...

 

                                                      CONGRATULATIONS!

                                     YOU'RE FEATURED IN BANANATUDE!

 

Gene

Jun 18, 2016 06:02 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Right?!  There are lots of elderly folks who are so positive and never complain about aches and pains.  I want to be like that!

Jun 19, 2016 10:36 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Jan - A 83 yr. old client from several years ago has become a close friend, and we see him frequently, and really enjoy our conversations. He's still doing amazing things too.

Jun 18, 2016 07:45 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

That's one of the best parts about this business!  We get to make great friends along the way and learning from others is such a gift.  Good for you!

Jun 19, 2016 10:37 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Always so much fun to visit older clients and have them open up about their history.  Your friend sounds like he's had a very interesting life.

Jun 18, 2016 08:37 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

You're right.  Bill has had an amazing career. He's a great friend and I'm glad to be able to visit and chat with him.  Have a great rest of your Sunday!

Jun 19, 2016 10:37 AM