Maybe it’s the beautiful River’s Bend course on the banks of the mighty Clark Fork River under the forested brow of rocky Flatiron Ridge.

Or maybe it is for the love of the game of golf and all its subtle intricacies.

Or maybe it’s for all those crazy games within a game they always play.

Whatever the reason, everyone always seems to have a good time during weekly Over the Hill league play at River’s Bend most any summer Monday morning in the Thompson Falls area.

Playing through on another round, this one with the kicker of a side game of sucker in the bucket, the Over the Hill gang, about 30 strong this time out, was at it again last Monday on River’s Bend.

Rusty Haggard is the driving force, the leader of the Over the Hill league. “We have a good time, play games like sucker in the bucket on the side,” Haggard said. “Try to keep it interesting for everyone.”

Haggard said Dave Petteys is his “IT guy” for keeping the league goings on and standings in order. “Rusty runs it,” Petteys said, “and determines which inside game we play each week.”

For golfers 55 and over, players are expected to ante up for each round, with the proceeds going towards hole prizes and a traditional, year-end steak banquet at the River’s Bend clubhouse.

The rules of engagement are understandably lax for participating. River’s Bend manager Jesse Mosher said visiting players are always welcome, club members or not.

Whatever their mission, it looks like the players are having a lot of fun, maybe that is what playing in the Over the Hill golfing league is really all about. And the games within the game only make it better.

    PUTTING AROUND – Dave Petteys of Thompson Falls in action during Over the Hill league play at River’s Bend July 6. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)