In the zone

ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. - One thing about playing golf for a lifetime is that you have a lifetime of stories.

Russ Jimeson, a 1959 Steubenville Big Red graduate, recently added another story.

The 68-year-old fired a course record 63 at his home course, Egypt Valley Country Club, eclipsing the old record by a shot.

It was the second time Jimeson shot his age, which is a big thing to golfers as they progress through life. He carded a 67 a year ago.

Jimeson, a graduate of Ohio State University, also bested his previous career-best round of 66, which he shot on the Scarlet course at Ohio State a few years after he had graduated.

Although it was the second time he had shot his age, Jimeson said there have been other times he thought he could have accomplished the feat.

"Yes, several times starting when I was 65, but I always managed to blow it on the closing holes and fall short," said Jimeson, who played for the Buckeyes with Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.

This time, though, he didn't blow it.

He didn't gag coming down the stretch.

In fact, he ripped it up.

After shooting 32 on the front nine, Jimeson said he started to count his score in, knowing that 68 would match his age.

He then birdied 11 and knew he had a shot to waste.

But, he didn't waste any on the inward nine.

After making pars on the 12th and 13th holes, Jimeson birdies four in a row before making a sand-save par on the 18th.

That round is what golfers affectionately call "being in the zone."

"The 'zone' is elusive," said Jimeson. "You can't will yourself into it. It just shows up. The 63 taught me a lesson. You can't stay in the so-called zone by trying to protect a good score.

"When you have a good score going, you have to play aggressive, greedy golf. You have to take dead aim and try to birdie every hole. Tour pros know this, and it's why they can go really low when they're hot.

"It doesn't always work, but it's better to go down firing than to wimp your way to the house."

Jimeson said it was hard trying not to think about a score, trying to shoot his age.

"It's difficult," he said. "You just have to accept it and face it down. I was 4-under-par at the turn.

"I couldn't help but think that I could shoot my age by playing the back nine in par.

"My approach shot on the 11th finished three feet from the hole. I went to 5-under there and had a stroke to waste. That's when I relaxed and decided to get greedy.

"I pared the next two holes and then made four birdies in a row on 14 through 17. I bunkered my approach on the 18th and knew I needed to get up and down to set the course record.

"I almost holed the bunker shot. That's what can happen when you're relaxed and really focused on the target."

Jimeson was in town recently for Big Red's 50th class reunion.

"My late father, Ed Jimeson, introduced me to golf at age 10," said Jimeson, a grandfather of eight, a three-time Golf Association of Michigan Senior Amateur champion. "He introduced me to every sport and was my biggest fan until the day he passed.

"I knew almost immediately that golf was the game for me. Not many kids played golf in Steubenville back then. Fortunately, there were several kids in my neighborhood, Manhattan Addition, who also took to the game, especially Terry and AJ Bonar.

"Growing up, we spent nearly every summer day at Belleview Golf Course - The Goat Hill. It's so sad that it's closed and overgrown now. I'll always remember it fondly.

"I really treasure the time I've spent over the years with my old pals from Big Red, golfers and non-golfers alike. I saw and played golf with some of them when I was home for the 50-year reunion.

"It was wonderful to get together and reminisce about the old days. We didn't know it back then, but we grew up in simpler and happier times."

Jimeson said he is thankful for being introduced to the game by his dad and still healthy enough to play it.

"To me, one of the greatest things about golf is that you can play the game for your entire life," he said. "It's a constant challenge and never gets boring.

"Even after playing for 58 years, I still get revved up for every round and even for just going to the range to hit balls.

"Like all avid golfers, I'm always trying to get better."

(Mathison can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com)