Getting better all the time
Seniors bring it on the course and courts
Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Delores Waters plays volleyball at Hopkins Elementary School with her fellow teammates.

The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation offers an array of sports activities for all ages including seniors. Golf, tennis and volleyball are among the most popular sports for older adults who want to stay active.

The term "seniors" is somewhat loose. Depending on the sport, seniority can start as early as age 40. Whatever your age, there's a team out there that's waiting just for you, says Judy Jones with the parks and recreation department

Interested? Just dust off your old gear and show up. All you need is some familiarity with your chosen sport. (Parks and recreation teams are organized for friendly play, not for competition, and you should know the fundamentals of your sport beforehand.)

"At our age, we need the exercise."

Running after a 6-year-old would leave many grandmothers winded. But Delores Waters, one-time DuPont employee, former stay-at-home mother and retired homemaker, has no trouble keeping up with her grandson. For at least the past 15 years, Waters has played volleyball with the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation senior volleyball team at Hopkins Elementary School.

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Barbara Gestwick (right) and Hilda Weiss play tennis at Rockwood Park as part of the county's senior tennis program.

"It's good exercise," says Waters, who lives in Bon Air. "It gets you out of the house and out of the rocking chair."

Back in the day, the team played competitively, and won state championships three years running. Now, says Waters, it's just about fun. "We just have a good time."

The team includes both men (ages 40+) and women (50+). The oldest player is an astonishing 82 years old. Players drop in and out as their schedules allow.

Friendships flourish both on the court and off. On occasion, groups of team members will get together for a quick bite after the game.

The seniors' volleyball season ends in mid- May and resumes again in September. Waters predicts there will be ample openings for new players then.

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Bob Bergin tees off at the Providence Golf Course. More than 50 seniors hit the links at Providence each Wednesday as part of the parks and recreation department's senior golf program.

"Fore!"

If you can keep up with four hours of play, new friends are waiting for you at Providence Golf Course. That's where 52 active senior golfers of varying abilities meet every Wednesday from April through the end of October. Bob Bergin has coordinated the group's activities for the past four or five years.

Bergin and his wife Suzanne live in Stonehenge. A former insurance executive, Bergin welcomes retirement. "Retirement gives me more time for golf," he says.

His efforts at promoting senior golf in Chesterfield have paid off handsomely: the group now numbers 75 active players ranging in age from 60 to 87. New players - both men and women, individuals and couples - are welcome to join.

Players reserve their spots a week in advance. Play is shotgun-style, and tee-off is 8 a.m. sharp. A generous handicapping system makes it possible for each golfer to enjoy the game at his or her own level. Proper golf attire is required.

Many senior golfers meet for lunch afterwards (at an additional charge), when awards are distributed in a range of categories. There's an award for the individual with the highest handicap. There's another for the golfer whose shot made it closest to the pin. There's an award for flights of differing abilities

But don't ask Bergin about the last award he won from the group.

"Man, that was a LONG time ago!"

Keeping a (fore)hand in

Barbara Gestwick of Scottingham remembers the first Monday morning following her retirement from a career regulating homes for adults. On that cold January morning, she took herself to Rockwood Park, where she played tennis with a group of like-minded seniors. That was 15 years ago, and Gestwick is still playing. Hard.

Between 16 and 20 men and women, ages 55 or better, show up on any given Monday. Play is usually doubles, but the group can accommodate the occasional singles set.

Players demonstrate a wide range of abilities. Many are former college players who are just getting back to the game. Some are better than that, although there are no pros in the group. Beginners are welcome, with one caveat. Gestwick stresses, "We're here to play tennis. We're not here to teach people how to play." Some experience is necessary, and potential players must know the game, its rules and scoring conventions. The group meets year-round, adjusting its start times to take best advantage of the sun. Currently, play starts at 9 a.m. Beginning in June, play moves to 8 a.m. In winter, play starts as late as 10 a.m.

What about holidays?

Gestwick laughs. "Sure, we play on holidays. When you're retired, every day is a holiday!"

 

Come out and play! Senior volleyball Mondays and Wednesdays, 6.30-9.00 p.m., through May 21 Hopkins Elementary School, 6000 Hopkins Rd. Free For more information, call Judy Jones, 751-4135. Senior golf Wednesdays at 8 a.m., through Oct. 29 Providence Golf Course, 1160 S. Providence Rd. Fee of $32 includes golf, cart and prizes. For more information, call Bob Bergin, 794-1097, or Dave Flynn, 272-1712. Senior tennis Mondays year-round (9 a.m. through May; 8 a.m. beginning in June) Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Rd., Courts 5-9 Free For more information, call Judy Jones, 751-4135.