Of the 98 golfers in the Hawaii State Women’s Golf Association Senior Championship on Monday at Hawaii Kai, about 17 percent were in their 80s.

A year ago, there were nine women in their 80s playing in the 50-and-older group. This year there were 17.

B.B. Harvey won the overall low gross title, firing a 79, but it was the “Ladies in their 80s” who won the day.

For sheer inspiration, their dynamic presence is tough to beat.

It is also no surprise to people who follow health for a living in Hawaii.

“As Goldilocks proclaimed, ‘Not too hot, not too cold, but just right!’ ” explains Dennis Kaaihue, Kaiser Permanente’s supervisor of prevention and health education. “The priceless weather we enjoy allows residents accessibility to temperate conditions, where other locations may present weather barriers that limit golfers to the sport being seasonal only.

“Another factor is both statistical and observational. The Ala Wai Golf Course is one of the busiest in the world and it is a regular habit of many seniors to be there before dawn on weekdays to get a round in at dawn. It’s cool to be active in Hawaii, whether you’re 8 or 80, going solo at the gym, beach, park or at home, playing makule softball, golfing with the Ala Wai early birds … there are many options.”

Golf in your 80s might be the coolest trend of all. Florence Miyasaki, 88, shot 85 a few weeks ago at the Navy Marine Golf Course and won low net honors Monday in the championship flight (ages 79-88).

She is a lean, mean golfing machine who plays three times a week and has a handicap of 22 that most 22-year-olds can’t claim.

“I like the game, like to get out and play golf with friends,” she says. “But most of all you just have to get out there and stay in good shape.”

Elaine Lee is a few weeks older than Miyasaki and her handicap a few strokes higher, but she plays twice a week and right now the best club in her bag is her driver. She hits it well and knows where it is going, but she really isn’t chasing a score.

“I love golf because I get to meet new friends,” Lee says. “The opportunity is so great to meet friends. That’s why a lot of us come out.”

A friendly atmosphere and the health aspect top everyone’s list, with score a distant third for most. But Kahili Chong, who has weekly games at Olomana and Makalena at age 83, warns she will “take away what they want to give away … if you play with us you’ve got to bring quarters.”

There are lots of recognizable names in the senior event, and not just because they have been around so long. Grace Wilson, whose son Dean plays on the PGA Tour, won the A flight (ages 75-78) on Monday with an 85. Annette Kono, one of the “Ladies in their 80s,” is still trying to beat her kids. She is just starting to play again after her second knee replacement.

Kaaihue is most impressed by the huge influx in the 80-year-old age group. He calls golf “the calculus of sports” with its infinite variations, but also says “the muscular effort required is manageable and repeatable.”

It allows older athletes to … well, thrive.

Certainly Patt Severson, one of those newly minted 80-year-olds, is thriving.

“You’ve got to keep at it,” she says. “I feel better when I’m playing golf than at any other time. It makes you forget all your aches and pains.”