There are milestone birthdays, and then there is what happened recently in Myrtle Beach, where a local woman marked her 105th trip around the sun — and she has a very specific explanation for how she got there: golf.

The centenarian-plus celebrated her birthday surrounded by well-wishers, sharing her personal secret to longevity with the kind of cheerful certainty that only 105 years of living can earn. According to WMBF, she credits the sport with keeping her going strong all these years — a testament to the idea that staying active and doing what you love truly matters.

It is the sort of story that puts a smile on just about everyone’s face. Here in the Grand Strand, where golf courses are practically a way of life, it feels especially fitting that one of the area’s longest-lived residents would point to a round of golf as her fountain of youth. The Myrtle Beach region is home to dozens of courses, and for this remarkable woman, the fairways have clearly been more than just a pastime — they have been a lifelong companion.

Reaching 105 is an extraordinary achievement by any measure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only a tiny fraction of Americans live past 100, making supercentenarians — those who reach 105 or beyond — exceptionally rare. That this woman has done so while remaining engaged enough to talk about her love of golf makes her story all the more uplifting.

Her birthday celebration is a reminder of the vibrant, multigenerational community that makes Myrtle Beach such a special place to call home. From young families to residents who have watched the Grand Strand grow and change over more than a century, the area’s strength lies in the stories of the people who live here — and few stories are as joyful as this one.

Here’s to 105 years well lived, and to many more rounds on the course ahead.

Sources: WMBF