Going strong at 95, Gojo Hartono shares
his secret of longevity
Keppel Club is like a second home to many of our senior members who have been with us for decades. They enjoy the Keppel hospitality and camaraderie forged over the years and are active in the Club’s activities. Among them are Mr Gojo Hartono, our most senior member and Mr Himmat Singh Gill, the second oldest, who joined in 1995 and 1966 respectively. Both are still golfing.
For 95-year-old Hartono, Keppel Club is like family. He still plays golf whenever he can with the friends he made over the years. As a widower living with his helper, Hartono spends much of his time golfing and taking walks, and leads a healthy lifestyle.
Unlike those days in his 50s when he would golf seven days a week, his frequency of playing at Sime has decreased with advancing age. He still plays his fair share of golf here; his regular mates would fetch him to Sime and send him home after the game. Besides Keppel Club, Hartono also goes on golfing holidays out of Singapore. His recent trip was a five-round golf trip to Fujian in China.
Mr Gojo Hartono (middle in dark blue) with his golf mates.
He revealed that the secret to his longevity is a simple lifestyle of sufficient sleep and a healthy diet. Hartono gets to bed at 9.30pm nightly and wakes up at 6am for his one-hour walk along the Singapore River. He seldom eats out and keeps to a simple home-cooked meal prepared by his helper. His meals comprise mainly fruits, fish and vegetables, and snacks for his golf games would include cut apples or seasonal fruits.
When it comes to golf, Hartono keeps his game simple – strike the ball with easy swings and ensure they go straight. It is more enjoyable this way. He hopes to golf for as long as he can, surround himself with friends and enjoy each day to the fullest.
We are truly inspired by this distinguished old gentleman and hope his story would inspire our younger members too. We wish Hartono the best of health as he continues to enjoy his favourite game.
