Florida couple, Navy veteran, traveling to Alaska to complete quest to play golf in all 50 states

Florida couple Dennis and Carol McQuade will travel to Alaska this week to finish their goal of golfing in all 50 states.

The couple, joined by family, will have tee times at the Anchorage Golf Course and Moose Run for their short visit to the state. Making the trek to check off their last state was a quick decision, having only planned the trip three weeks ago.

“We decided what the heck,” Dennis said. “I'm 80 years old, so why not just go up there and golf and say we did it?”

The McQuade’s have golfed all over the world, including Ireland, the Virgin Islands, Canada and all other 49 states. Dennis said that Carol started keeping track of all of the places they had golfed only seven years ago. They created a map and began checking off all of the courses they had played.

“The United States is beautiful,” Dennis said. “Every aspect of it. No matter where it was, there was always beauty that we saw, one way or another.”

Once they determined which states remained, they made trips to the Western and Eastern portions of the country to knock out the list. Alaska was a dream of theirs for two years before they decided to buy the tickets and make their dream a reality.

“That’s a big goal, 50 states plus,” Carol said. “We’re excited.”

Carol, who is 79, said they were blessed to have so many opportunities to golf where they have. She referenced their good health as being a major cause on why they can continue to travel all over the world.

The McQuade’s will share their Alaska experience with their son, daughter and son-in-law that will be making the trip with them. They’ve introduced their children and grandchildren to gold, and the sport has turned into a great way to enjoy family time together.

Besides checking off the list of having golfed in all 50 states, Dennis and Carol do not have any plans to celebrate. For now, the couple don’t have any other major goals in mind and just look forward to enjoying their time and receiving the bragging rights to share with their friends back home.

Dennis served as a sailor in the Navy, working in engine and pump rooms on ships. He would make three trips to Vietnam. After leaving the military, he went to school and worked in a machine shop before starting his own machining business which has been a part of the family for the last 40 years. He now volunteers at the Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda, Florida.

A long-term dream will become a possibility this week as the McQuade’s brave the weather and putt their way to fulfilling their goal of golfing in all 50 states.

“We saved the best for last,” Carol said.