That doesn ’ t make them any less special or memorable .

In Madden ’ s case , they open a window into the life of one of the most beloved members of Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club in Portsmouth .

One day , she was sitting with a group of friends in the club ’ s grill room . Dan O ’ Boyle , the golf professional at the time , was passing by when he was intercepted .

“ I want to set up some lessons ,” Madden informed O ’ Boyle . She was 75 years old . “ I thought , ‘ Wow ! She still wants to improve her game ,’” friend Lambie Owen recalls . “ What an inspiration she was for the younger girls at our club , how much she enjoyed playing golf , even in her later years .”

After moving to Richmond 10 years ago , Madden continued hitting the links until finally retiring her clubs at the age of 92 .

“ Anne is unique in that she never seemed ( to act ) her age ,” Owen said .

On July 29 , Madden will reach the century mark , and folks were starting to plan the celebration when this was written .

Last year , a couple of women at Elizabeth Manor tricked Madden into believing they were just going to put her in a cart and drive her around the newly renovated course and clubhouse . But when she got outside of the grill , she was

greeted by a group carrying signs and balloons that certified their affection and admiration for her .

“ I ’ ve never met anyone who didn ’ t say , ‘ I just love your mother ,’” said her daughter , Joanne Deaton . “ My husband tells me , ‘ Your mom goes to the hospital for five days and every nurse she meets tells us how much they love her .’ And she loves them .”

Golf wasn ’ t on her list of sports at William & Mary , where the 1943 graduate is enshrined in the Athletic Hall of Fame . She made her mark for the Tribe playing tennis , basketball and field hockey .

But golf consumed much of her married life with husband Joe , who passed away in 1993 . They were best friends and a formidable team in couples ’ competition . Individually , she scored three holesin-one , and won numerous first-flight net and first- and second-flight gross club championships . She devoted more than a decade as Elizabeth Manor ’ s recording or corresponding secretary .

When the LPGA played at Sleepy Hole in Portsmouth , the Maddens opened their home for several years to Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan .

“ She loved golf more than most ,” said former Elizabeth Manor pro Tim Newsom , now at Riverfront Golf Club in Suffolk . “ Anne ( had ) the attitude that makes for a great golfer — try hard but leave the memory of the last shot behind .”

Madden had a short game that was the envy of many , including the Elizabeth Manor men .

“ When I ’ d come down to Elizabeth Manor for a member-guest , the guys would say , ‘ If we ’ re inside 100 yards , I want your mother ,’” Deaton said . “ They were telling me this when she was 85 !”

Madden never lost that competitive juice , though it was always with a smile on her face . Newsom once played three holes with the Elizabeth Manor women on Ladies Day — and Madden beat him on all three .

“ She noted that she was nervous ,” he recalled . “ I came back with , ‘ I believe I am even more nervous .’ She was lots of fun on the golf course .” And off it , too . Member Cindy Morris , who planned previous birthday parties for Madden , remembered the long-weekend trips to the Outer Banks her friend made with a group from the club .

“ We ’ d play golf , go out to eat , have fun ,”

Morris said . “ Nothing too crazy , but . . .” But Deaton heard the stories . “ My gosh , they were almost like young college kids ! She ’ d say that she felt so fortunate that these gals , who ’ d be in their 40s and 50s , would hang around with somebody who was her age .”

And those women would tell you that Madden wasn ’ t the fortunate one .

They were .

COURTESY JOANNE DEATON