Minnesota golfer, 98, still enjoys game

ROSEVILLE, Minn. -- When Bill Doi started golfing at age 74, he didn't expect to enjoy it.

"I always thought it was kind of a silly game: hit the ball, then look for it, hit it again and look for it," Doi said.

But the 98-year-old Roseville man discovered he really loves the game and now plays at least once a week.

Doi's son, David, and grandson, Tom -- who came from southern Oregon and Washington, D.C., to celebrate his 99th birthday on Aug. 31 -- played a round of golf with him Friday at his usual golf course, Gross National Golf Club n St. Anthony.

"When my mom passed away -- it was four years ago -- I didn't know if he was going to be the husband that decided not to live anymore," David Doi said of his father. "But he chose to keep living, and his desire for life is obviously strong and healthy."

In addition to golf, Doi does 60 push-ups every morning, his son said.

Doi came to Minnesota to attend the Military Intelligence School in Savage as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II after being sent to a Japanese American internment camp in northern California.

Tom Doi said his grandfather is inspirational on and off the golf course: "He taught me to be humble, patient and accepting."

Bill Doi didn't make any wishes for his 99th birthday.

"I'm just thankful for all of the things that have happened in my life," he said.

This article was written by Holly Peterson from St. Paul Pioneer Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network.