There was no formal recognition or even a single lit candle waiting for Dave Stockton Jr. at TPC Twin Cities on Tuesday.
"Just a few calls, a lot of texts," he said.
Stockton spent his 50th birthday just as he did on the final day in his 40s: with his son, Jake, scouting out the golf course in preparation for this weekend's 3M Championship.
Not that Stockton needs too much guidance. His father, Dave Stockton, won the 3M in 1994 (although that tournament was held at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids) and the pair have been coming here since. The elder Stockton is a regular during the weekend's Greats of Golf exhibition.
"I know it can be a lot of fun out here," Stockton Jr. said. "It's special for me to have my first [senior tournament] be here, with my dad in town."
Stockton Jr. left competitive golf 14 years ago when daughter Serena was 5 and Jake was 2. His full-time job these days is at home, teaching golf at Oak Valley Country Club in Southern California.
A few years ago, the competitive itch resurfaced
"I'm not going to quit [teaching]," he said. "But it's been nice being out here this week with all of the guys. I'm happy with the second chance. I'm going to grind and smile and see what happens."