BURLINGTON, Ky. — A World War II veteran who passed the century mark earlier this year still plays golf a few times a week, and is still as sharp as ever.
He shared his secrets of longevity and how to get the most out of life with Spectrum News 1.
If one were to show up to the Meadowood Golf Course in Burlington at about 10 a.m., they might get lucky and meet Albert “Bud” McDermott. Then, they’d probably listen to McDermott go on about how fortunate he is.
“I’m glad I can get out and do this. And I’m glad I’m not sick or nothing. And I’ve been pretty lucky most of my life. So I’ve got no complaints,” McDermott said.
It can’t all be luck, though. McDermott carries an abundant wealth of wisdom, having recently passed a significant milestone.
“100th birthday, yeah. July the 15th,” he said. “Yeah, we play at least twice a week, and we’re going to try to play as much as we can, because the weather’s going to get us sooner or later. So then we can complain about the cold weather.”
One might also hear McDermott, who was raised in Covington, complain about a shot or two.
“I pulled that sucker. Pulled that sucker,” he said after missing the green on a chip shot.
But they’d never hear him complain about his life.
If you’re having a bad day, that’s your problem. We like it here,” McDermott said“If you’re having a bad day, that’s your problem. We like it here,” McDermott said, laughing.
When he’s not at the golf course, he wishes he was.
“I’d just be sitting at home. It’s a good game. I like it where you’re responsible for how you do instead of having a bunch of guys playing with you in baseball and all that stuff. You’re only as strong as your weakest link,” he said. “And I’ve got a good buddy here. And he sees that I get out here and enjoy myself.”
That buddy is Reynolds Flynn, who was a well-known coach in the area. The two men go back a long time.
“He’s a remarkable person. And he’s taken care of himself during life. He had a wonderful wife, and he’s got three kids. And he’s been very active working all of his life, and he enjoys life. That’s the key thing. He looks forward to getting out here in the public and playing in front of people,” Flynn said.
It’s also the good swings that keep McDermott coming back.
“Yeah, that was a good one,” after hitting a drive right down the fairway.
But, surely, there has to be more to remaining healthy at 100 years old than just golf.
“I never drank. But I had a beer once in a while. There’s no secret to it. I think when the good Lord wants you, you’re gonna go. But you can abuse your body, and help yourself along,” McDermott said.
He’s also had a great family and group of friends.
“I had a good wife for 73 years. That’s a pretty good record, I think. And she’s been dead since 2020. I got three good boys,” McDermott said.
McDermott also opened up about his service in World War II.
“This guy was yelling about the war in Pearl Harbor. And I didn’t know where the hell that was. But later on, I said I had to go down there and sign up,” he said. “I signed up in Fort Thomas, January the first, 1942. And then in 30 days I was on a boat going to Australia.”
He then went to New Guinea, where the fighting was.
“I had it worse than some. And a little easier than other guys,” he said.
The staff at Meadowood loves McDermott so much, they threw him a 100th birthday party, and gave him a season pass for the rest of his life.
“Oh yeah, I’ll take advantage of that. I don’t think they thought I was going to last this long. But I fooled a lot of people,” McDermott said. “I’ve been pretty lucky. I can’t complain about a thing.”
