As most men approach their 80th birthday, they are satisfied to take a leisurely walk and enjoy their grandchildren.

Marcel Mathieu of Lewiston does that — and a great deal more. He goes on fishing trips with members of his large family of six children and four grandchildren and he plays at the Fairlawn Golf & Country Club in Poland two or three days a week. But, summer in Maine for the man who will turn 80 on Aug. 10 is his offseason.

When he and his wife Irene go to Mesa, Ariz., for the winter come September, that’s the beginning of his real activities season. Because of the weather conditions, he plays golf regularly in Arizona until they return to Maine in May. It was in Queen Creek, Ariz., on April 22, that Mathieu had a hole-in-one at a course called Las Calinas on a 156-yard hole. He also posted a 69 at Apache Junction in Arizona, which is one of many times (so many he no longer counts them) he has shot his age.

“I hit my driver,” Mathieu said with a wry smile. ” Actually, it was a 7-wood.’

For Mathieu, who retired as a firefighter in 1985 after 24 years on the Lewiston Fire Department, that was ace No. 4. Two others were in Arizona in 1986 and 2010, but the one he treasures the most was in 1998 on the fourth hole at Martindale (177 yards, 5-iron), because it helped him to win a Calcutta. Coincidentally, his oldest grandson, Eric Hall, also has had a hole-in-one at Martindale.

Mathieu played golf sparingly while working as a firefighter and electrician, and raising the six children. But since retiring he has won the Prospect Hill club championship in the early 1990s, he is many times a Fairlawn senior champion, and was Maine State Golf Association B-C runner-up in 2011 at Old Marsh. During the winter, Mathieu posted a 69 in Arizona, just one of many times (so many he has stopped counting) he has shot his age.

As good as he is in golf, he might be better in bowling. In the Las Palmas Grand League in Mesa, he had the second highest average this past winter with a 199 average and a high three-game series of 655. He has had several seasons of averaging more than 200. And while he bowls at a high level, he probably is more accomplished in another sport — slow-pitch softball.

Playing for age-group teams from Arizona and other western states during the fall and winter, Mathieu has won 17 world and national championship rings as his team’s slick-fielding shortstop. Last year, he made the All-Tournament team at the Western Nationals and he batted over .600 for the season. In 2001, Mathieu was selected as the best defensive player in the softball World Series.

Totally based on his achievements as a senior athlete, Mathieu was inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston Hall of Fame in 2009. During that ceremony, Mathieu was described as “the best 75-year-old athlete in Maine.”

When asked how much longer he can keep up the pace, Mathieu modestly responded: “As long as I can, I guess.”

Noteworthy

Harris Golf is starting the Exotics Pro Am Series, which is open to Maine professionals and amateurs. Five events will be held, according to tournament committee chairman Johnny Johnston: July 12 — Bath, Aug. 1 — Penobscot Valley, Aug. 26 — Sunday River, Sept. 5 — Old Marsh, Oct. 7— Falmouth.

Cash prizes will be offered for the top 12 pro finishers. Information is available at [email protected] or by telephoning 442-8725.

Last Monday’s First Tee Tournament at The Woodlands attracted 30 teams and resulted in proceeds of more than $50,000. The Country Club Enterprises foursome of Dave Farina, Darin Eddy, Mark Plummer, and Rick Robichaud shot 7-under-par to capture top honors.