At 91 years old, Harold “Hal” Kingston moves with the careful grace of someone who has spent a lifetime perfecting his craft. His handshake is firm, his posture straight, and when he talks about golf—his eyes light up with a spark that belies his age.
Hal is not just any senior golfer. He’s a local legend. Earlier this year, he became the oldest person to win the Westwood Country 91 Club Championship, claiming the title for the fifth time—his first win was in 1963. For many, Hal’s story is one of endurance. For others, it’s inspiration. But for Hal, it’s simply the result of a life lived with purpose, discipline, and love for the game.
We sat down with Hal in the quiet lounge of the Westwood clubhouse, surrounded by trophy cases and framed photographs of past champions—many of whom Hal has outlasted, outplayed, or mentored.
“You never stop learning in golf. And you never stop aging either—but one is more fun than the other.”
Q: Hal, congratulations on your recent club championship. At 91, that’s a remarkable achievement. How did it feel to win again?
Hal Kingston: Thank you. To be honest, it felt surreal. I wasn’t expecting to win—not at this age. I entered the tournament for the same reason I always have: to play my best and enjoy the company. But when I made the turn on the second day and saw I was in the lead, something clicked. I thought, “Why not one more time?”
Q: You’ve won this title five times now, but this one must feel different.
Hal: Oh, absolutely. When I won it in ’63, I was a hot-headed 29-year-old who thought he’d cracked the code to golf. Now, I know better. [Laughs] Winning at 91 feels more like a conversation with your younger self. You look back at all the lessons, the mistakes, the close calls, and you realize—this game isn’t about winning. It’s about being out there. Every swing is a privilege.
“Golf teaches patience. Life teaches gratitude. You need both.”
Q: What do you think has helped you stay competitive for so long?
Hal: Three things: consistency, humility, and curiosity. I’ve kept my swing simple over the years. No wild changes, no chasing trends. My tempo hasn’t changed much since the ’70s.
I’ve also stayed humble—golf humbles you whether you like it or not. And I’ve remained curious. I still read about new techniques. I watch young pros. I even tried out a graphite shaft last year! (Didn’t like it—too whippy.)
But I think the biggest thing is staying active and mentally sharp. I walk nine holes every morning when the weather allows. I do light stretching, and I play a lot of chess. Keeps the mind alert.
Q: Any dietary secrets?
Hal: [Laughs] No magic potion. Just moderation. My wife Edna—God bless her—was a wonderful cook and a health nut. She kept us on a Mediterranean diet before it was trendy. I still have oatmeal for breakfast and a glass of red wine with dinner. That’s about it.
“I’ve seen golf go from hickory shafts to hybrids. But the soul of the game hasn’t changed.”
Q: Golf has evolved so much over your lifetime. What’s your take on the modern game?
Hal: The equipment’s gotten better, no doubt. These young guys are hitting 350-yard drives like it’s nothing. But here’s what I always say: the golf ball doesn’t know how old you are. It only knows how you strike it.
Sure, tech helps, but the fundamentals are the same. Grip, stance, posture, rhythm. You can’t buy your way into a good swing.
Q: What advice do you give younger players today?
Hal: Play with people better than you. Watch how they handle pressure, how they recover from bad shots. And above all, play slow in the mind and fast with the club. Don’t overthink. Golf is hard enough without turning every swing into a physics experiment.
Also, learn to lose. You’re going to lose more than you win. If you can walk off the 18th with a smile after a tough round, you’re winning in the long run.
“The course is a mirror. It shows you who you are.”
Q: You’ve played thousands of rounds. Do you still get nervous?
Hal: Always. If you care, you’re going to feel something. The day you stop feeling nervous is the day you’ve stopped growing. Nerves mean you’re alive and trying. I still get butterflies on the first tee. But I’ve learned to befriend them.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory on the course?
Hal: So many. But one that stands out—1968, my daughter hit her first hole-in-one when she was just 12. On the 7th hole here at Westwood. I was more excited than when I won my first title. That’s the thing about golf—it gives you memories that money can’t buy.
“You don’t retire from passion. You adapt.”
Q: Have you ever thought about quitting the game?
Hal: I thought about it when I turned 80. My back was giving me trouble, and I had a few rough rounds. But then I remembered something Ben Hogan once said: ‘As you walk down the fairway of life, you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.’ So I adjusted. Shorter backswing, lighter clubs, more putting practice. You don’t retire from passion. You adapt to it.
Q: What do you hope people remember about you as a golfer?
Hal: That I played with joy, with respect for the game, and that I helped others love it too. I’ve mentored a lot of juniors over the years. If one of them goes on to play well—or even just sticks with it because of something I said—that’s better than any trophy.
Closing Thoughts
As we wrap up our conversation, Hal excuses himself to go meet a young golfer he’s been coaching—15-year-old Aiden, a rising star in the junior circuit. “We’re working on his short game,” Hal says. “Kid’s got the fire, just needs some polish.”
Watching Hal shuffle out to the practice green, we are reminded that age might limit the body, but it never has to limit the spirit. In golf—as in life—it’s not how far you drive, but how well you finish.
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