Meet the 100-year-old golfer still tearing up a Tassie course
A stalwart of the Launceston Golf Club will celebrate her 100th birthday this weekend as she reveals what keeps her going and one of her favourite memories.
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Cracking the ton is never preferable in golf - unless you’re Jessie Harris.
The Launceston Golf Club member will celebrate her 100th birthday on Sunday, and credits “golf and red wine” for her longevity.
Her fellow club members helped her celebrate the occasion with ‘banana cake and bubbles’ on Tuesday.
She has already received letters of congratulations from King Charles, the prime minister and the governor generals of Australia and Tasmania.
But she still believes everyone is “making too much of a fuss”.
Harris joined the club in 1978 and still plays nine holes twice a week, with the help of a cart.
“I play golf because I like the people,” Harris said.
“I started playing just as relief from work, I was managing garden centres. I only played on Sundays then because I never had time out to play golf.
“I enjoy the company and I just like the game. It took me a while to get the hang of it all.”
One of Harris’ more memorable days was scoring a hole-in-one at Longford.
“I had a hole in one at the old Longford golf course (sixth hole), I’ve been close here but not close enough,” she said.
The club’s women’s captain, Pam Hutchins, described Harris as an “institution”.
“I think she would be one of the only people still playing golf at 100 years of age, and she still drives her car,” Hutchins said.
“We’re very fond of Jess, she plays as much golf as she can and it keeps her fit and well. As she said, it’s red wine and golf that’s added to her life span.
“She’s an institution and just means something to the lot of us. We can all aspire to do what Jess has done, still playing golf and socialising.
“For a 100 year old she still hits a very nice ball. She doesn’t go in the rough.
“She only plays nine holes, but as long as she’s above the ground she’ll keep coming back to golf.”
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