HERSHEY -- She is still swinging -- even as she approaches the age of 80.
Marlene Stewart Streit, 78, is one of only two players over the age of 70 playing at the USGA Senior Women's Amateur Championship, which begins Saturday at Hershey Country Club.
She's also a living legend.
Stewart Streit is the only golfer to have won the Canadian, United States, British and Australian amateur championships.
The Canadian knows she doesn't have the skill set she used to have; yet still enjoys playing and seeing her friends at tournaments.
"The biggest challenge probably is not being able to hit it very far (now)," said Stewart Streit, who currently lives in Florida. "You'd think putting would be the easiest thing to never lose, but sometimes the putts just don't go in.
"But it's a great game."
She last won a USGA title in 2003.
Stewart Streit was also the first Canadian to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
"She's been an inspiration to me all my life," said fellow hall of famer Carol Semple Thompson, a native of Pennsylvania. "I've known her since I was a young child."
Hershey's West Course will host 132 golfers, all whom have reached their 50th birthday by September 8. The championship match is Thursday, September 13.
Stewart Streit is one of 20 players fully exempt from qualifying based on her past performance.
