'He'll do it until he can't anymore': 90-year-old Navy vet runs hometown driving range

BARTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A half-mile north of West Bend in the small town of Barton, you'll find a modest driving range just off of Hwy D.

 "We've been here a long time," said Richie Schuetz, the founder of West Bend Driving Range. "Built the whole thing by myself; pretty much myself. Our first year was 1965."

Over 50 years later, Schuetz, who turns 91 later this month, is still the owner and operator of the driving range; a popular spot for golfers looking to work on their swing, or young families looking to introduce their kids to the game.

"Fathers teaching (their) young children the game," Schuetz said. "Happens quite a bit."

Schuetz used to golf three days a week. That number has gone down to about 15 rounds a season. Still, he finds himself at the nine-acre range seven days a week, April through November. He and his wife, Dottie, spend the cold, winter months in Texas.

"It gives my husband something to do every day," Dottie said. "I talk to the doctor about it and she said 'Everybody needs a purpose.' This is Richie's purpose and he enjoys it."

Each day during the spring and summer months, he spends his time filling buckets with golf balls, collecting balls that are hit, washing the golf balls, and even the cutting the grass. With the exception of grass cutting, there's no where he'd rather be.

"We seem to be cutting grass all the time," Schuetz said. "It takes me about six hours to cut the grass."

Schuetz's work ethic is one hard to find. Whether it's working on his tractor or other maintenance chores around the driving range, he doesn't complain. He just gets the job done.

Hard-work and passion is something Schuetz has carried with him over the years. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and ended up attached to the Marine Corps as a hospital corpsman. While never spending time overseas, Schuetz proudly served his country at Camp Pendleton in California.

"It was my duty," Schuetz recalled. "I was drafted. That's what was my duty; to go to serve and the service."

Now, his duty is keeping the driving range running just off of Hwy 45 and Hwy D.

"I guess I don't know," Schuetz laughed, when asked what keeps him coming back each and every day, each and every year. "Probably don't want to give it up is probably the biggest reason."

Dottie admits there are days where she wishes her 'Richie' would be able to spend more time at home with her. Still, she takes solace knowing her husband is doing something he enjoys and makes him happy.

"It's just a second love. I hope I come first," Dottie laughed. "I can't take that away from him. It is his second love. He'll do it until he can't anymore."

When that will be, even Richie admits he doesn't know. As for now, he's taking pride in providing a welcoming, hometown driving range for all to enjoy.

"A lot of younger folks have, they enjoy it just to hit balls," Schuetz said. "If you can improve your game a little bit by coming out here. I think that'd be a plus."