◄ Headline photo : A group of Kansas City , KS golfers ( from left ) John Bukaty , Alan Hoskins , Jim Teaney and Dave Klein preparing to “ play away ” on the first hole on the famed Old Course at St . Andrews , Scotland . ( Courtesy Alan Hoskins 2015 .)
Professional golfers have interacted personally with Alan many times at tournaments . Lee Trevino was playing the senior tour event in Branson when he saw Alan walking along with his group ( remember , during childhood , Alan had Polio , which caused one leg to become smaller and shorter than the other , making walking difficult ). Trevino saw Alan walking Branson ’ s hilly terrain and told him to get on the cart with his caddy Herman because Trevino said he was going to walk anyway . Alan rode for several holes and then told Herman he felt uncomfortable riding while Trevino was walking . Herman reassured Alan that it was all right because he was certain Trevino would be buzzing balls in that creek just ahead .
At age 81 , Alan Hoskins drained three aces within 10 months and three days at Sunflower Hills in Kansas . The first on 12 / 16 / 17 ; second on 9 / 25 / 18 and third on 10 / 19 / 18 ( less than a month after No . 2 ). As you can see by his attire , the first and third came on frigid winter days .
When Alan was at Top of the Rock covering an event for TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE Magazine , he asked Gary Player if he would take a picture with him ( Alan ) and Jack Nicklaus . Player said that would be up to Nicklaus . Later that day , there was a post-event media conference . As soon as the news conference was over , Player stood up , turned to Nicklaus , and said , Alan would like a picture with us . Despite an objection from the person running the news conference , Player prevailed , and a photo with Nicklaus , Player , and Trevino became Alan ’ s prize possession .
Alan has played golf with Ernie Banks , Len Dawson , and many more . When playing with Tom Watson before the Watson Challenge one year , Watson birdied the first three holes . When Alan parred the par-3 4th hole , Watson informed him , “ That ’ s a three , net two . Partner , we ’ re four up .”
In his elderly years , Alan has endured his share of health issues . He has had cancer — beat it . He had heart trouble culminating with heart bypass surgery ( 2015 ) — recovered well . A mysterious infection caused him to be put into a medically induced coma for eight days ( 2021 ) — he recovered completely . Despite one of his legs being significantly smaller and weaker than the other because of Polio as a child , to this day , he has maintained a very active athletic life . Not only has he fought a good fight against diseases and health issues , but he also decided to lose some extra weight . Recently , he lost 37 pounds to get around better and remain healthier .
Today , Alan plays golf regularly . In fact , he had three holes-inone within 10 months during the winter of 2017 and fall of 2018 . Still threatening to drain a few more aces , he routinely shoots in the low to mid-80s from the “ creeper ” ( forward ) tees . We use the term “ creeper ” respectfully for those avid golfers who prefer to move to the forward tees as they age to continue enjoying the game . His influence has motivated Sunflower Hills management to install new forward tee boxes that are much more golfer-friendly for youth , beginners , and seniors . Many golfers now play from the shorter tees . As he aged , he has continued to creep forward each year on his tee shots . At Sunflower Hills , there are now five different tee boxes used in the game that Alan plays regularly . Golfers are encouraged to play the distance that makes everyone relevant to the game — and have fun . He has had a great influence on that aspect of the game . For Alan , no handicaps are used , just distance adjustments .
Alan is the best writer I have ever known . I think he may be the best sportswriter that has ever lived . He knows how to get you interested in the story and then gives you the meat of what is happening . He is also a great photographer . For Alan , it ’ s important to set up the shot , not just snap a picture . His golf game ain ’ t bad either , and no “ creeping ” is needed for his golf writing . Alan is the best at that !
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Editor ’ s Comments about Alan ’ s Accomplishments and Accolades
Alan Hoskins has a long list of writing accomplishments and accolades related to sports writing , including Midwest golf . The following are
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