No matter how young or old the player on the course, golf always seems to be more about playing against oneself than others.

Rewarding times can be difficult to achieve on a course, but as you grow older, a benchmark comes in the form of shooting your age. At the Selma Country Club last week, two men from Selma achieved such a feat. Art Olson, 88, and Paul James, 75, each were able to shoot their age, but it was not the first time for either.

“I’ve done it four times before this,” James said. “It’s a thing that, as an old golfer, you just have to live long enough and you have a better chance of achieving it.”

Jones said that the first time he achieved the feat was at the young age of 72, when he was able to shoot a 71. In 2009 he twice pulled it off, and again less than two months ago at the age of 74.

“I have always kept myself in relatively good shape,” James said. “And I’m retired, so I try to play every time the gates are open. I just try to take it easy when it comes to golf.”

Jones plays with a group of eight to 10 players, who are all younger than he is.

“They are all young whippersnappers,” James said jokingly. “The player closest to me is Mr. Henry Pitts.”

Olson, on the other hand, plays with a group closer to his age.

“We play about three times a week,” Olson said.

Olson said he has achieved the mark of shooting his age more times than he could remember.

“I haven’t really kept count,” Olson said. “The last four years is when I have really started to do it (shoot his age) a lot. When you get to this age, it’s not a huge achievement for a score. Several people have congratulated me, but I’m just happier that I won money on that day from the other players.”

Olson started playing 51 years ago in Anniston because of the proximity of his home to a golf course located there, he said, but also because of the scenery and exercise it brings.

“I enjoy the outside weather,” Olson said. “Golf gets you outside working a little bit, so that’s great. Plus the courses are beautiful.”