Cooper finds fountain of youth, lead
Golfer says hip replacement has rejuvenated his game
Approaching his 63rd birthday, Bob Cooper says he feels like he’s 25.
That would qualify him for the New York State Golf Association’s Mid-amateur division but not its Senior Championship (ages 55 and older), in which Cooper holds the 36hole lead following a 2-under-par 69 Wednesday at Mohawk Golf Club.
The fountain of youth for Cooper, a Glenville resident and Schenectady Municipal member, was a hip replacement two years ago that has made golf much more comfortable.
“I’ve maintained my distance (off the tee), but playing golf with no pain is a big thing,” said Cooper, who had both hips replaced. “Four years ago, five years ago, my friends were making fun of me watching me walk up hills, because it was ugly. I was walking and swinging a leg. I waited too long to have it done, and now that I’ve it done, it’s like why did I ever wait. It’s such an improvement.”
Cooper will take a one-stroke lead over Bob Hughes of Ives Hill (Watertown) into Thursday’s final 18 holes. The two were tied after Tuesday.
“I left 66 out there,” Hughes said after his second consecutive 70. “I missed probably seven putts inside 12 feet, 15 feet for birdie. Seventy was about the worst I could have shot.”
Cooper, seeking his first NYSGA title, is at 2-under 139 through 36 holes, but other locals are lurking.
Jim Mueller of Orchard Creek is alone in third at 144 after shooting 70. The 2016 State Senior champion, Paul Pratico of Schenectady Muny, is in fifth at 146. David Arakelian of Troy leads a group of four at 147.
“I drove the ball better,” Mueller said. “If you hit it in the fairway here, you’re going to have some good opportunities.”
“I hit the ball pretty much the same,” Pratico said, “but I didn’t make any of the close (putts) yesterday. Today I made the close ones.”
“I’m not putting well,” Arakelian said. “(Tuesday) I could have been 4 under if I made any putts.”
The field was cut in half after Wednesday. The final group Thursday, consisting of Cooper, Hughes and Mueller, will begin their round at 9:40 a.m.
“There’s no defense in golf, so you’ve just got to play as good as you can,” Cooper said. “It helps to know what’s going on around you. I’ll aim at the flags and try to make birdies again and see what happens. I’m hitting the ball good. I’m happy.”
“I don’t care about the attention,” Hughes said, “but I’d like to know what the leaders are doing, if I’m one of them. It will be some fun.”
In the Super Senior division, Jim Hamburger of Mccann (Poughkeepsie) has a one-shot lead. Threetime champion Chuck Connolly of Kingsbury National is the top local in the division, tied for fifth.