Feature Story
This Globetrotter
Plays Golf as Well as He Writes About It
A Hall of Famer In The Making
Story by Jerry Reid Photography courtesy Alan Hoskins
Golf writer Alan Hoskins has always been a strong proponent of moving to a forward , more comfortable tee . Today , at age 87 , he plays as much as five days a week , year-round , weather permitting , at Sunflower Hills Golf Course and routinely shoots his age . He has moved ( crept ) to tees in front of the regular forward tees . This move forward makes him relevant to the game and the game more enjoyable .
As a lifelong sportswriter , Alan has interviewed hundreds of sports stars and many television and movie stars throughout his writing career . He ’ s interviewed Babe Ruth ’ s wife . He interviewed Wilt Chamberlain during an hour-long phone call for an article . He took John Wooden on a slow ride from KCI to Kansas City , all the time recording his interview with the coach . Other interviews include Joe Louis , Mickey Mantle , Walter Payton , and Sports Hall of Famers Jack Nicklaus , Lee Trevino , Bill Russell , Magic Johnson , Jerry West , Joe Montana , Gale Sayers , Stan Musial , and Whitey Ford . Most of the former Kansas City Royals have spoken with him . The complete list is very long .
He ’ s interviewed movie stars Bob Hope , Kevin Costner , Sidney Poitier , Robin Williams , Ed Asner , Tom Bosley , and many more .
Alan Hoskins ( above ) grew up in Zearing , IA . Polio invaded Alan ’ s house when he was four years old when he and his sister contracted the disease . Among his other health issues from Polio , one of Alan ’ s legs was affected . It developed shorter and smaller than the other , making walking difficult . However , that did not prevent him from playing basketball on his high school team or keep him from walking many miles playing golf . He now rides , which is not unusual , even for a 37-year-old or an 87-year-old like Alan .
Hoskins
Alan Hoskins ( in red shirt ) organized a large group of Sunflower Hills golfers to play Colbert Hills with PGA Professional Jim Colbert in 2020 . Colbert played a few holes with each group .
As an avid golfer , Alan has organized Sunflower Hills golfers for golf trips to Colbert Hills several times , where they met and played with Jim Colbert .
16 January 2024 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE