Reflections ►
Cold Weather No Problem for
94-Year-Old Frank Payne Navy vet has shot has age and most played rounds at Sunflower Hills by Alan Hoskins, Feature Writer
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’was the week before Christmas, and all over the course, hardly a creature was stirring — except for Frank Payne dashing from one hole to the next. Temperatures hovering below freezing that week failed to deter Payne from his appointed rounds — six straight days at an amazing 94½ years of age. On that Monday, it was 28 degrees at tee time; 34 at the end of 18 holes (I know, I was there). On Tuesday, it was 23 degrees when Payne started, 31 at finish time. And so, it continued the rest of the week. Weather warmed a little, but the first balls were hit in freezing cold weather. “The first couple of days, it was pretty cool, but I just love the fresh air and the exercise,” says Payne. “Just dress warm. I had a bunch of buddies who watched TV and smoked cigars when it got cold, and they’re all gone now. Tell the ladies if they want their husbands to live a long life to get them out on the golf course.” A legend at Sunflower Hills in western Wyandotte County, it’s safe to say Frank Payne has played more rounds and shot his age more times than anyone in the course’s 44-year history. He also swung the longest driver at one time. “I added four inches to a regular driver and then another four inches,” says the 5’9” Payne (photo on left). “It comes right up to my nose. I could hit the ball a long way. For about 10 years, I could hit it with the best of them. A lot of guys tried it; no one could hit it.”
▲ Frank Payne, at age 94-year-old, can be found yearround at Sunflower Hills playing almost daily. This photo was taken in December 2020 when it was 28 degrees at our tee time and a brisk 34 degrees at the end of our 18 holes. (photo by Alan Hoskins.)
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February 2021
TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
“Frank was always tinkering with his clubs trying to get more yardage,” says veteran Sunflower Hills head professional Jeff Johnson. “He was always trying to get that extra yardage. Now, he’s a classic senior golfer, not long off the tee but
