By withstanding pandemics, and cancellations, or masks on or off, or hot weather or thunderstorms, the Tennessee State Senior Olympics rolled into Chattanooga this weekend for the State Finals in Pickleball.
Those of you who have read my blogs on this new sport realize that this is my sport for old age. Chasing a colored Whiffle Ball look-alike around a small tennis court, sorta, is my idea of fun and keeps up the competitive spirit that resides in this senior citizen body.
August 5, 2022, Singles for both men and women, all placed into age related groups.
August 6, 2022, Men's and Women's Doubles, likewise in age groups
August 7, 2022, Mixed Doubles, likewise by age groupings
The lowest age group is the 50-54. Then using 5 year groupings, the age groups proceed to the oldest one, 85-89. There sits this man, sometimes kinda lonely in this last grouping, waiting to see how this year's tournament plays out.
This year's event was played at the Chattanooga Convention Center on the above dates, with the great hall set up with 36 courts. Almost 500 men and women had signed up these matches, and there was a lot of noise from the collision of plastic ball and Pickleball paddle.
First up Men's 85-89 Singles:
Last year I had won the gold when the only other signed-up competitor failed to show.
This year one other man signed up. Donald (Bo) Deaton from Jackson came to play. Bo was 88 and a nice man. We enjoyed talking about the sport and the tournament, among other subjects. He had some health issues and only signed up because he had to be in Chattanooga for a meeting, but we enjoyed playing even though the score was a little lopsided. I got the gold and he took home the silver.
Thanks Bo!
Second Day Men's Doubles in the same age group 85-89:
Last year my partner Jack Painter and I played in the 80-84 age grouping and got the silver medal. Jack was not 85 yet so we played down in the lower group. I believe there were four teams in that grouping and we were 3-1 in games to finish second.
This year we were the only sign up. We won the gold by showing up, but the organizers gave us a 3 team grouping to play exhibition games. The other two teams came from the 75-79 age class. We played a set of games with each team, two out of three to 11 points.
We beat the first team 2-1 and the second 2-0. Even though these teams were the only ones in the 75-79 bracket they would not give us a gold medal for winning this age group. Shucks.
Third Day, Mixed Doubles, and I had no dog in this fight. But after church we went back to the Convention Center and watched several of our fellow BX pickleballers compete in various age brackets having a great time cheering for each that we knew.
All in all, it was a good weekend:
2 Gold Medals
Plus a lot of good fellowship with other players from Chattanooga and beyond.
Don't write this in stone just yet, but Jack and I are planning to go to the National Finals in Pittsburg, PA in 2023. We qualified due to our scores in the TN State Finals this weekend, so why not?
A Postscript:
I know I go on and on about this sport. It is more than medals and stuff like that. It is about people, the ones who play, the ones who encourage, and the ones who have emphasized senior health and well being.
When Carolyn and I were settling back into the Chattanooga scene after our 2019 marriage, a certain lady from Brainerd Baptist Church invited us to come and see what was going on at the BX. She was head of the Pickleball program there and was instrumental in getting us started along with many others. Ruth Ann Ray gets our thanks for starting us on a sporting journey, even in our advanced years.
Thanks, Ruth Ann, for encouraging us in this fun endeavor.
And ....
Blessed be God, for He gives us strength in our time. My health is in His hands, and I am grateful for His Love and Forgiveness.
Waytogo, Big Boy!
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