Senior living in Denver is full of great stories, and this one is a hole-in-one. At Hilltop Reserve, a group of five friends known as the Hilltop Duffers has been making headlines on the golf course. Three of them have now hit an ace. And their story was recently featured on 9NEWS! You can find more stories like this one in our news section.
Meet the Hilltop Duffers
These five friends share a standing tradition. They get together for lunch, watch golf tournaments, and give each other plenty of good-natured grief. They debate shots, cheer on their favorite players, and tease each other about their own games. It’s the kind of easy friendship that grows naturally in a close-knit senior living community.
Three Aces and Counting
Matt Landry was 86 when he made his hole-in-one. “It took me about three days to realize I’d done it,” he said with a laugh. His friends were right there with him to see it happen.
Not long after, 91-year-old Don Wilson stepped up to the fifth hole at Emerald Greens. He hit a 90-yard shot and watched the ball disappear from sight. “I thought, ‘Hmm, could that go in? Ah, no,'” Don recalled. Then he walked onto the green and found it sitting in the cup. His win even made the Hilltop paper.
Ralph rounds out the group’s ace club. Gary and Jim are still working toward theirs.
Friendly Competition Keeps Everyone Looking Ahead
The ribbing hasn’t slowed down one bit. Gary is keeping his hopes up, though he isn’t making any promises. “Still a chance,” he said. “I’ll be lucky if I hit the green, however.”
Matt is already planning his next one, too. “It took me 85 years to get my first hole in one, so I figured in another 85 years, I’m bound to get a second one, right?”
That kind of humor and hope goes a long way. If you’d like a few ideas for keeping that same spirit, here are some tips for keeping a positive attitude about aging.
Staying Active and Connected in Senior Living
The Hilltop Duffers show what’s possible when seniors stay active, stay social, and keep doing what they love. There’s a lot to gain from staying active in your retirement, and many low-impact exercises for seniors fit easily into the day. Golf is just one example. You can explore more ideas in our tips for pursuing hobbies as a senior.
Friendship matters just as much as movement. A shared lunch or a weekly tradition can brighten the whole week. Learn more about how senior living communities help residents stay connected.
Life at Hilltop Reserve
At Hilltop Reserve, residents enjoy chef-prepared dining, wellness programs, a fitness center, and inviting social spaces. Take a look at our full list of services and amenities, or check out our calendar of upcoming events to see what residents are up to. Our independent living apartments give residents the freedom to fill their days their way, with neighbors who quickly become friends.
Visit Our Denver Senior Living Community
Hilltop Reserve sits at the corner of Holly Street and Leetsdale Drive, just a few miles east of Cherry Creek North. We offer independent living, assisted living, and memory care all in one place. That means residents can enjoy the benefits of a continuum of care as their needs change. Browse our gallery and floor plans, then schedule a tour to see how our community helps residents engage, connect, and keep looking forward.
Read the full story from 9NEWS.
