Smith’s magic number: 3,100

How many golfers can legitimately say they have a shot to set a new world record each time they step on the course?

Here in Green Valley, T.E. Smith continues to do just that roughly four times per week.

On Tuesday, Smith, 93, extended his world-record streak of shooting at or below his age, tallying an 85 during a breezy day at the Country Club of Green Valley.

“It was so windy out there that my hat blew off three times,” Smith said. He played with fellow CCGV members Hal Kinser, Bill Eichler and Puck Peterson.

His number, currently at 3,100, is well ahead of the next-highest recorded total — 2,623, set by Frank Bailey of Abeline, Texas.

Smith has pulled off this feat on 115 different golf courses in 12 different states — and also on a handful of international courses. He’s shot at or below his age on 40 different Arizona courses and 32 in his native Minnesota.

His favorite course — Moorhead Country Club in Minnesota — has a bridge named after Smith on a par-3, 168-yard hole — a hole Smith has birdied twice since receiving the honor.

He first shot his age on his 68th birthday, and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Smith’s favorite round during this stretch came in June of 2003, when Smith took part in a Fathers’ Day tournament in Whaton, Minn. Smith, his son Dan, and his grandson Marco each carried a 9-handicap — quite possibly the first time three generations of golfers in the same family carried the same handicap.

“That round was special,” Smith said. “I’ll never forget that one.”

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