Tryon Country Club member John Albree not only shot his age during Mondays Tryon Mens Golf Association play at TCC, he bettered it.

Albree, 81, shot a 7-over-par 79 to help his foursome win the 18-hole event.

It was a competition that in order to win it, we all had to play very good golf, said Albree, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel who moved to Tryon in 2003.

Albree was teamed with Bill Bayse, Tom Wilkes and Ted Hiley.

While the feat of shooting ones age is something of a golf rarity, Albree said he has accomplished it several times, the most memorable of which being a career-best 4-under 68 at TCC two years ago at the age of 79.

That was the best Ive ever shot, he said.

Once in a while it happens. Rarely, though. Im not that good a golfer.

Albree said he wasnt a golfer at all until after retiring from his 27-year military career and then retiring again from a civilian career in real estate.

I started playing after my retirement, he said. I didnt do it as a young man.

Since then, it has become both a passion and an avocation, he said.

I play four times a week now, he said. I really love the game. Its a great game, and a very humbling game.