99-year-old golfer chips away bucket list at Kananaskis golf course

KANANASKIS – Turn 99 – check. Play the K – check.

Zenith (Zen) Hrdlicka has lived a long life and on her 99th birthday Tuesday (Aug. 6), it was the Rocky Ridge Retirement Community resident’s wish to play the Kananaskis Country Golf Course.

It was a wish come true with four generations of her family present, a greeting fit for a queen and the sun coming and staying out from tee time to finish.

“You wouldn’t believe it, but I’m pretty sure God is on my side. When we left Calgary, it was raining and foggy and it wasn’t nice at all,” said Hrdlicka.

“As we drove west, the closer we got to Kananaskis, the nicer the weather got. By the time we got there, the sun was out, shining brilliantly, and it stayed out for the whole two hours that we golfed and then it went away again.”

The highlight, though, was having her entire family there to celebrate.

“To have my family there was wonderful and beyond my expectations. When I put in my request, I just put in a request to have my daughter there and didn’t think there would be more than that.”

The retirement facility has a program that grants wishes to residents every year, called a living list.

Darren Robinson, general manager of the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, said the team there jumped at the opportunity to host Zen when facility staff reached out.

“It was a really special day. Zen sparkled and seemed to soak in all the energy and attention from everyone,” he said.

“Her golf cart was decorated right up with balloons, streamers, and our team gathered along a path and cheered and celebrated her as she headed down to the driving range wearing her sash and crown. She reciprocated with a queen’s wave.”

Hrdlicka proceeded to “squarely hit” her opening tee shot on the first hole of the Mt. Lorette course.

“The funny part of it was they had cameras all over the place, which I’m not used to,” she said cracking up.

“They had me putt and darned if it didn’t go in the hole. But it was the only putt I’ve made all year. They managed to catch it on film and it was on TV.”

At the end of the day, Hrdlicka scored a 61, and while she can no longer drive the ball more than 100 yards, she still puts most 99-year-olds to shame.

So, how does she stay fit?

She’s been golfing since she was 30 and still plays the Cochrane Riverside Golf Course once a week. She also does aquacise.

As for the secret to living a long life?

“Pills,” she said.

Asked if there was anything else she hopes to experience or achieve on her living list, she said she feels she’s had her share.

When she was 92, Hrdlicka, full of zest for life, got a tattoo. She’s also recently taken trips to Fairmont Lake Louise for high tea and taken the chairlift up Sulphur Mountain.

For her 100th birthday, the world is Hrdlicka's oyster.

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.