Kim Fundingsland/MDN Doyle Radke, the Fossil, is ready for another round of golf.

He says he’s a Duck but he’s best known as the Fossil. He’s Doyle Radke, whose familiar swing is known to those who frequent golf courses in Minot and throughout the state. Even at age 82 he ranks among the best players in North Dakota.

The self-described “range rat,” terminology used to describe someone who is constantly working on their golf game, is always a tough competitor whenever he tees it up. His list of tournament wins and placements is lengthy. Very lengthy. This year he won the North Dakota Golf Association State Match Play Championship held in Carrington.

Competing in the Palmer Division, which is for golfers age 65-74, Radke needed to win the last hole of the title match to tie. He did, and then won the championship with a birdie on the fourth extra hole. Incredibly, it was his 14th State Match Play title.

“I’ve always believed that, no matter what your age is, do the best at whatever you are doing,” said Radke. “I enjoy working on shots you need in golf so that you can believe in them when you need to make that shot happen.”

Radke has a long history of proving he can make it happen. He grew up on a farm near Underwood, earned a master’s degree at Oregon and still considers himself a “Duck,” and coached the Minot High School track team to nine state titles, including an astounding seven in a row from 1974-1980.

“That was a great time in my life,” said Radke. “I enjoyed my time at Minot High immensely. I think it was 1997 when I retired. Then I started doing golf more seriously. I could put more time in.”

Sometime around 1990, recalled Radke, a group of golfing buddies dubbed him the “Fossil,” a nickname that stuck. Of course, at that time, no one could know that Radke would still be striking the ball effectively 30 years later.

Radke recalls playing the old Washington Golf Course, a sand greens layout where Jim Hill Middle School is located today. He purchased his first set of golf clubs while serving in the Army Reserve. The cost? $15.

“You can about imagine what that set looked like,” laughed Radke. “That’s how I started in golf, and I played whenever I could.”

“He still works at it,” said Steve Kottsick, Souris Valley Golf Course professional. “He has longevity. He’s been competing for a lot of years.”

Not just competing, but winning. His numerous list of golf titles includes Minot City Championships, International Labor Day tournaments, Minot Pro-Am, Minot Park Board, City Match Play and N.D. Golf Association championships. He captained the North American team that beat a Canadian contingent from Winnipeg. On the national scale he finished in the top 32 in a 156-man field at the National Senior Amateur in Portland, Oregon.

Most recently Radke shot back-to-back 77s at the Pro-Am event at the Vardon Club. Most golfers would love to shoot under 80, but for Radke it was somewhat disappointing.

“I wasn’t striking the ball. That’s what bothers me. I wasn’t hitting the ball well so I deserved a 77,” explained Radke.

The range rat wasn’t about to settle for 77s. He returned to the course a few days later and shot a 72.

“When you’ve shot better than 77 it’s hard to accept,” remarked Radke. “My handicap is better than 77. Some days you play really good and some days you are off on some part of your game.”

Radke’s weekly routine finds him working out at a fitness center twice a week, playing at least three rounds of golf a week and spending several hours on the practice range. The strongest part of his game is his iron play.

“You have to know the differences between each club, like the wedges and the nine irons. Those are your scoring clubs,” stated Radke. “You want to get close to the pin to have a chance for a birdie. That’s been the stronger part of my golf game. I like the short irons. I’m not a big hitter but I keep the ball in play a lot.”

At 82 years of age, Radke has played with hundreds of different players, many of whom are no longer physically capable of playing the game or have passed away.

“I take care of myself and I think the good Lord has taken care of me too,” said Radke. “I’ve dodged the problems that people have that can get you the cancers and all those different things. I’ve lost a lot of good friends I used to play with. That’s the way life is. You just keep going. I know I’m on the back nine of life but I enjoy playing with the younger fellas. It gives me a good challenge.”

Radke’s remarkable career as an athlete, coach and golfer has resulted in being honored with induction into six different halls of fame. And he’s not done. When he steps onto the tee box he’s still a formidable opponent with a knack for finding a way to win.

Two years ago he chipped in four times en route to a 68 at the Vardon. Like almost every round he has played, he remembers it well.

“One was out of a trap for a par. I chipped in for a birdie on 14, for an eagle on 16 and an impossible get up and down shot on 17,” recalled Radke. “That was one of the highlights of my career. Golf is a really a great game. I’m thankful I’ve been healthy enough to keep going.”

(Prairie Profile is a weekly feature profiling interesting people in our region. We welcome suggestions from our readers. Call Regional Editor Eloise Ogden at 857-1944 or call 1-800-735-3229. You also can send email suggestions to eogden@minotdailynews.com.)