At the ripe age of 83, Dean Shortridge still enjoys playing golf.
For more than 60 years Shortridge has been enjoying the sport on a daily basis. It all started back in 1949, as a teenager in St. Paul, Minn.
Shortridge was introduced to golf by his cousin, Roy Shortridge, as a caddie at Midland Hills Country Club in St. Paul.
"A cousin of mine that lived next door helped me pick up the sport," Dean recalled while enjoying a morning cup of coffee at the Palm View Golf Course in McAllen. "My cousin, Roy, was a pretty good golfer."
Dean Shortridge was encouraged to join the high school golf team. He also became a caddie where he earned 60 cents as a Class B caddie and later 75 cents as a Class A caddie.
"There were grown men out on the course working as caddies back then during the depression time," Dean said. "I’ve always enjoyed being around a golf course."
Shortridge started coming to McAllen in 1963. He’s been back ever since missing only one year. Shortridge spends five months in the Valley and seven back home in Aberden, S.D.
Another big influence in Dean’s picking up the sport was another cousin, George Shortridge, who is now in the Minnesota Hall of Fame. George qualified for the Senior Tour where he played for a short time with a zero handicap.
Dean Shortridge became a pro at age 23 in Aberden, S.D. His first job as an assistant pro at age 20 was at the Rochester Golf Course in Rochester, Minn.
"I only play golf four or five times a week now," said Dean. "I try and practice daily. "I’ve played against a lot of good players during my career and met a lot of good people."
His best round ever was a 63 back in South Dakota. He has recorded nine aces during his lifetime, including one at the old Palm View course.
"At my age, it’s getting harder to play golf," said Dean. "Golf courses have gotten longer. That’s what hurts older people. I ride now because it’s easier."
Dean said he’s been able to shoot his age in golf ever since the age of 67. "It’s getting harder every year," he joked.
When Dean first came down, Palm View Golf Course was located near the airport along the main runway. He recalls the former pro Red Hall. Dean Shortridge taught golf to Winter Texans while Hall was the pro at Palm View. He also saw current Palm View pro Carlos Espinoza grow up around the course.
"I know as many people down here now as I do back home," Shortridge said. "That’s one thing I really enjoy about the sport is the people you get to know."
Shortridge said he returns to McAllen every year in November when the courses up north begin to close for the winter. He said the Valley wind doesn’t bother him that much.
"It’s 1,500 miles straight up north back home from here," said Shortridge. "The wind is about the same."
His toughest hole at Palm View is number 6. Shortridge said it would be a challenge anywhere because of the water and getting up around the green.
"At my age, distance off the tee makes it hard to score," Shortridge said. "I also don’t like it when the course is real crowded. I tend to lose my patience."
Longtime friend Roberto Vela of McAllen said Shortridge can still play despite being 83.
"I started playing late," Vela said. "Dean can still play. Don’t let him tell you anything different."
Shortridge said he’ll continue playing golf as long as he can. He’s not thinking about leaving the course any time soon.