At 90 years old, Dr. Jerry Weis isn't slowing down — he's speeding past the competition.
The longtime Naples resident just celebrated his 90th birthday. But on the green at Vi at Bentley Village, he’s still chasing titles — and winning. Weis recently captured his eighth club championship — more than anyone in the club's history.
“It adds life to your years and years to your life,” Weis said of golfing at his senior living center.
Golf has been a lifelong love for Weis, dating back to his childhood when he worked as a caddy at just 12 years old. But what makes his latest title remarkable isn’t just his age — it's what he’s overcome.
“They call him the Comeback Kid," said Eric Thom, one of Weis’s longtime golf rivals.
In the past seven years alone, Weis has undergone two open-heart surgeries within 17 months and a knee replacement.
“I asked him to put a zipper in on the second one, so if I needed another, it’d be easier," Weis joked. "But he didn’t think that was very funny."
Even serious health challenges couldn’t keep Weis away from the game he loves.
“I don’t know when to stop,” he said. “It’s not extraordinary what I did, but it’s a lot of work."
That work ethic — mixed with a good sense of humor — has kept Weis at the top of his game. Weis credits his staying power to a positive outlook.
“I believe in PMA — positive mental attitude. Your attitude determines your altitude.”
On the course, 80-year-old Eric Thom has seen firsthand just how tough Weis is to beat.
Thom has been runner-up to Weis four times in the club championship. This year, their battle went to sudden death — and once again, Weis came out on top.
“The old pro won it on the first extra hole,” Thom said.
And if you're playing with Jerry, you'd better be ready for more than just his golf skills.
Trash talk is part of the game.
“You have an opportunity to talk trash," Weis laughed. "You can say things and insult people on a golf course that you would never dare anywhere else — because you'd probably get slugged."
Jerry’s game is sharp — and so is his wit.
“I’m playing so well right now. It’s scary," he said. "I always like to tease the other guys, 'before you go on, I want you to know there's nothing wrong with coming in second.' And they know that I'm teasing, but they also know that I'll try very hard and do my very best to make sure that that happens."
But even his rivals still have respect for Weis' game.
"If I can be playing even halfway as good as Jerry is now at the same age, I'd be thrilled," Thom said.
As for retirement? Don’t count on it. Weis has no plans to step away from competition.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if I could win it in my 90th year? And darned if I didn’t," he said. "And Eric, I’m going to try to do that again next year. You need to be forewarned."
They still call him the Comeback Kid — and Jerry Weis is still writing his story, one scorecard at a time.
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