The following e-mail has found its way to me at least three times this past week.

These men were considered the most successful of their days. Now, 80 years later we know what ultimately became of them.

The president of the largest steel company, Charles Schwab, died a pauper. The president of the largest gas company, Edward Hopson, went insane. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, was released from prison to die at home. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cooper, died abroad, penniless. The president of the Bank of International Settlement shot himself, and the Great Bear of Wall Street, Cosabee Livermore, also committed suicide.

That same year, 1923, the PGA champion and winner of a major golf tournament, the U.S, Open, was Gene Sarazen. Unlike the others, he played golf until he was 92 and died in 1999 at the age of 95, when he was financially secure.

The moral: Forget work, play golf.

I have no idea how many financial giants reach their 90s, but we read every day about some golfer shooting his age in his 80s. Some of us might have to live to be 90 and hit that mark from the senior tees, but it does seem that golf may be a way to keep us young, and I intend to make the most of it. Indeed, when I found this e-mail Tuesday evening, I had just returned from Bridgton Highlands, my fifth day of golf in a row.

Due to changes in all of our schedules, the famed Tuesday Foursome only manages a few outings a season now and this was our first of the year. It was a chance for me to check out the conditions at the Highlands. I heard the course was in great shape and it certainly was. Over the past several years a lot of work has been done clearing trees around some of the greens. Letting in more sun has really helped and we found some of the fastest surfaces any of us have faced all summer. Actually, the pin placements were fair and our putts ran true. Our scores indicated how we had forgotten certain holes.

When I reviewed my card after the round, I found that some of my worst scores were on short holes. How can one explain a par four on the opening 440-yard No. 1 with a double bogey on the 376-yard No. 3? The answer is what makes this layout so intriguing. The first hole, although up hill and long is straight with no hazards other than the OB left. Even though I don’t have the length to reach a 440-yard hole in regulation, a solid drive, a long iron second and a good pitch left me with a 12-footer for par. The greens ran true and their speed matched the practice green so I made the putt. Great start on the No.1 handicap hole.

Now consider the third hole. This sneaky double hazard hole is a fine risk reward. Only the longest hitters can carry the first hazard. Most of us lay up with a shot of 195 yards. The problem is the hazard runs diagnolly across the fairway. Hit it 220 down the right side and leave a seven iron to the green. That same distance down the middle will find the hazard and 180 down the left will be in trouble. Another hazard in front of the green makes the second shot equally risky. I don’t need to describe the shots that resulted in a double bogey, but maybe some junior will find the ball in the second hazard.

No. 6 at 313 yards is another interesting par four that sounds short but can play tough and No. 16 has to be one of the state’s toughest par fours.

Bridgton Highlands at 6,147 yards from the back doesn’t sound that difficult, but strategic hazards account for its slope of 123 from the white tees. I think I need to get back there soon while the memory of how to play certain holes is fresh in my mind. At least I’m beginning to understand the pro who said the most important piece of equipment in golf is the head.

The day before I had attended the 10th Annual Camp Sunshine Tournament at Point Sebago where Bridgton head pro Wayne Hill had led his team to a low gross victory. I don’t have the final totals yet, but it’s expected to be close to last year’s total of $20,000 which sponsored 12 or more families at the camp. This is one event where the entire proceeds go to benefit the charity.

Larry and Anna Gould not only donated the land for the camp, but they donate the course for the tournament. Camp Sunshine is now 20 years old and provides a retreat for families of children with terminal or life threatening illness. Thanks to the generous donations of many other clubs, as many as 13 teams win prizes of golf and there are plenty of other prizes.

One golfer who always shows up at this and as many other charity events as she can, is Winona Davenport of Phillips. This year she brought along a handsome crocheted table cloth with the Camp Sunshine logo and raffled it off.

This raised another $350 for the cause and some lucky golfer took home the results of hours of her fine work.

This is only one of dozens of charity golf tournaments we can find around the state this summer. Check with your local club and if your club would like an event mentioned in this space send me an e-mail at [email protected].

Next stop, the Greater Portland Open Pro-Am Tuesday, June 29.

Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.