Squash seniors have a ball pursuing national gold

VANCOUVER – They weren’t billed as the week’s main event, and their best days on the court may be behind them, but two seniors put on a show in the men’s 80-plus category at the Canadian Squash Championships at the Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver.

Vincent Taylor of Ottawa, 83, defeated Lloyd MacDonald of Surrey, 81, in their first ever matchup — 11-5, 11-1, 11-7 to win the gold medal.

“I was just hoping to give someone a good game,” said Taylor on what he was expecting of the event. “If I won that’d be just a bonus.”

The winner who transitioned from the hardball game at age 49 joked that his squash longevity and proficiency is attributed to ‘idiocy’, but in seriousness added, “I’ve got to do something to keep going, to keep the motivation, and this is a good reason as any.”

MacDonald said he competed to see what others his age were up to.

‘“I came here hoping to look at other 80 year olds and see how they deal with advancing age,,” smiled MacDonald, discussing his first national championship experience.

“You can lose your quickness but you can still have the racquet skills. Vinny has his racquet skills, good for him.”

On what keeps him going, MacDonald added: “Squash is social. I play three times a week with my friends, it just makes my life a heck of a lot better.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2022