{"id":58024,"date":"2025-08-04T16:17:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T16:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/58024\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T16:17:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T16:17:31","slug":"golf-group-for-retirees-at-overlook-proves-one-is-never-too-old-even-at-100-to-keep-swinging-local-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/58024\/","title":{"rendered":"Golf group for retirees at Overlook proves one is never too old, even at 100, to keep swinging | Local Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was 7:30 a.m. at Overlook Golf Course and more groundskeepers than players were moving about. Hal Shartle tried to lower expectations before he placed his first ball on the tee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a lousy golfer,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to bear with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The comment was more self-deprecating than true and the critique hardly seemed to matter. There were other reasons to be here squeezing in nine holes before the July heat became unbearable.<\/p>\n

Shartle is part of a group called Parsormore. A collection of retirees who fill their summer months by navigating some of the area\u2019s best courses.<\/p>\n

The group, believed to be named by Dan Dilley, one of its earliest members, was founded in the late 1960s. The name, when broken up, reads Pars-or-more. A tongue-in-cheek reference to the scores that typically get posted. There aren\u2019t many birdies.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at our age,\u201d said Bill Kleine, 81.<\/p>\n

Parsormore has 62 members and operates with by-laws. One must play 25 rounds between April 1 and Oct. 31 to remain in the advanced section. The duffers gather twice a week and participate in five or six tournaments each summer.<\/p>\n

The appeal isn\u2019t to take a tiny pencil and write the lowest number possible on a scorecard. It\u2019s something more human and basic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you get older, you look forward to things as simple as playing 18 holes of golf and maybe getting a par or two,\u201d Kleine said. \u201cYou throw a couple of bucks in and it\u2019s fun to compete. It\u2019s a mix of everything you enjoyed in life thrown into retirement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Golf, at this stage, is a way to push back the hands of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be in our group, if you want to be considered young, you need to be about 75,\u201d said Pete Kleine, who is 87 and is Bill\u2019s uncle.<\/p>\n

One member of Parsormore stands out from the rest. Bill Kleine called Shartle his \u201crole model.\u201d He\u2019s an inspiration for the other old timers.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Shartle is the oldest of them all. He\u2019s 100.<\/a><\/p>\n


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\n Close <\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Don Rossi, left, watches a centenarian golfer Hal Shartle makes a tee shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball in the air as he plays at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Shartle is wearing a shirt that commemorates his 100th birthday.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball as he plays the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle drives a golf cart while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle pulls a club from his bag while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle makes a shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle climbs into a golf cart while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle tees off while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball after a shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle\u2019s ball stops on the green close to the pin while playing the front nine plays at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Don Rossi, left, watches a centenarian golfer Hal Shartle putts while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Al Shartle shows a score card from the \u201cParsormore Dilley Glass front 9 scramble\/ back 9 scramble tournament\u201d where he and Don Rossi finished second while playing at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle wears a shirt that commemorates his 100th birthday while playing he front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Members of Parsormore made balls to commemorate centenarian golfer Hal Shartle\u2019s 100the birthday.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle, center, talks with Ken Chubb, left, and Don Rossi while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle takes a tee shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Don Rossi, left, watches a centenarian golfer Hal Shartle makes a tee shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball in the air as he plays at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Shartle is wearing a shirt that commemorates his 100th birthday.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball as he plays the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle drives a golf cart while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle pulls a club from his bag while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle makes a shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle climbs into a golf cart while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle tees off while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle watches his ball after a shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle\u2019s ball stops on the green close to the pin while playing the front nine plays at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

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Don Rossi, left, watches a centenarian golfer Hal Shartle putts while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Al Shartle shows a score card from the \u201cParsormore Dilley Glass front 9 scramble\/ back 9 scramble tournament\u201d where he and Don Rossi finished second while playing at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

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\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle wears a shirt that commemorates his 100th birthday while playing he front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Members of Parsormore made balls to commemorate centenarian golfer Hal Shartle\u2019s 100the birthday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle, center, talks with Ken Chubb, left, and Don Rossi while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

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Centenarian golfer Hal Shartle takes a tee shot while playing the front nine at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s fun to play with\u2019<\/p>\n

Shartle stands at 5-foot-3, 110 pounds and brings a bag with six clubs in the back of his cart. He plays briskly, like a man who doesn\u2019t have time to waste or is perhaps late for an appointment.<\/p>\n

On this day, he\u2019s wearing a green T-shirt that was given to him by Don Rossi, one of Shartle\u2019s frequent tournament partners.<\/p>\n

It has Shartle\u2019s birthdate, Feb. 10, 1925, on the front with the word: \u201cVintage.\u201d On the back it reads: \u201c100 years old and still swinging.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of Parsormore enjoys Shartle\u2019s company.<\/p>\n

\u201cHal is always great to be around,\u201d Rossi said. \u201cHe\u2019s always positive. He\u2019s always encouraging. He boosts your morale. Sometimes I make mistakes and get upset. He gets your mood up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rossi has one of the group\u2019s lowest handicaps. Shartle has one of its highest. That\u2019s why they\u2019re often paired together.<\/p>\n

At the Dilley-Glass tournament run by Parsormore last month, Rossi and Shartle combined to shoot 16 under par net, the lowest score over the first nine holes.<\/p>\n

It was, Shartle said proudly, one of the greatest rounds of his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven playing my best golf, I never shot chips and putts like I did that day,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s one of those things.\u201d<\/p>\n

They played a shamble format. The best drive of the two partners was used before continuing from that spot. The duo relied on seven of Rossi\u2019s shots from the tee with the rest of the work done by Shartle minus his 40 handicap.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was me hitting the long drive and then going to sit in the cart,\u201d Rossi said. \u201cI felt as useful as a snooze button on a smoke alarm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shartle\u2019s short game is remarkable for his age. On No. 4 at Overlook, he chipped from 60 yards within five feet and casually sank the putt.<\/p>\n

These occasional moments of magic provide a thrill, but they\u2019re only a small part of the experience. Shartle doesn\u2019t worry much about how the ball travels.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeavens no,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just out here to get exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shartle graduated from McCaskey in 1942. His first rounds were played when there was a nine-hole course at Long\u2019s Park and he became more serious about the sport in his 30s.<\/p>\n

After high school, Shartle joined the Navy and spent his working years moving around the country as an engineer and an oil prospector. He didn\u2019t return to his hometown until he was 79.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up here,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty hard to beat Lancaster County.\u201d<\/p>\n

About two years after Shartle came back, he discovered Parsormore and has been part of it ever since. He appreciates the group and the group appreciates him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGolf is made up of simple things like good etiquette and good, quality conversations,\u201d Bill Kleine said. \u201cThis guy carries his own on all of that. You\u2019d think a 100-year-old guy would be the one to slow the group. Not him. He\u2019s fun to play with.\u201d<\/p>\n

The members are relentlessly supportive. When Shartle put his tee shot on a par-3 on the fairway close to the hole, onlookers cheered like a gallery watching a player compete for a major championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a bunch of good guys in the group,\u201d Shartle said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good social group and I enjoy golf. It\u2019s just nice to be in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ:\u00a0August event set to honor legacy of legendary Warwick field hockey coach, wrestling official<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Al Shartle shows a score card from the \u201cParsormore Dilley Glass front 9 scramble\/ back 9 scramble tournament\u201d where he and Don Rossi finished second while playing at Overlook Golf Course on Thursday, July 24, 2025.<\/p>\n

BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

\u2018You need to keep moving\u2019<\/p>\n

Shartle provided instant reactions to some of his swings. It was either, \u201cThat\u2019s no good.\u201d Or \u201cthat\u2019s better.\u201d Then he quickly moved toward wherever the ball landed.<\/p>\n

As Shartle prepared to putt on the first hole, a groundskeeper, who presumably saw the 100 printed on the shirt, approached. The man marveled at Shartle\u2019s age and ability to still be playing.<\/p>\n

Getting to three digits worth of birthday candles can bring interesting responses. Shartle is essentially congratulated for still being alive. He doesn\u2019t think about the eye-catching, round number that matches his years. Ninety-nine didn\u2019t feel any different than 100.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very fortunate,\u201d Shartle said. \u201cGod has been very good to me to live that long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shartle and Rossi breezed through nine holes at Overlook in less than two hours. Ed Young, the president of Parsormore, rode along for some of the round.<\/p>\n

One of the goals of the group is to relax the rules to ensure playing is fun. Shartle is allowed to tee off closer to the pin and even put a tee in the fairway to make his next shot easier.<\/p>\n

Fitness and happiness are the primary objectives.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to keep moving,\u201d Young said. \u201cIf you stop moving, it\u2019s all over. It\u2019s important to be out. It\u2019s important to exercise. I can\u2019t emphasize that enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each round is a highlight of the week and all the rounds are a highlight of summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all have a passion for golf,\u201d Rossi said. \u201cAfter we play, we usually have a beer or two and talk about the putt that never sank.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shartle rolled home his final shot on No. 9, scooped up his ball and headed toward his cart. He drove himself to Overlook and he drove through all nine holes.<\/p>\n

What did he think of this performance?<\/p>\n

\u201cI could\u2019ve played better,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cBelieve me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maybe next time, he will.<\/p>\n

\"Al<\/p>\n

Members of Parsormore made balls to commemorate centenarian golfer Hal Shartle\u2019s 100the birthday.<\/p>\n

BLAINE SHAHAN | Staff Photographer<\/p>\n

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