Senior racquetballers thrive on the court

It is natural for younger athletes to look up to and admire their elders who blazed a trail before them. That especially holds true for veteran racquetball players like 93-year-old Art Braunstern and 90-year-old Lino Bouza.

The pair of senior marvels hit the racquetball courts at the David Posnack JCC at least four times a week to participate in games with their younger senior cohorts.

As the senior statesman of the group, Braunstern’s presence on the courts serves as an inspiration to the other athletes of the possibilities that can be achieved during the golden years. The Pembroke Pines resident professes that his secret is maintaining an active lifestyle.

“I’m the old man here and I play with some of these guys who are 40 years younger than me,” Braunstern said, smiling. “I played handball until I was 76 and won a few championships, but found it was easier to switch over to racquetball.

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“We play some tournaments here at the center and these are a great group of guys here,” Braunstern continued. “We all love enjoys the camaraderie. sports and we’ve become buddies. We really like each other and check up on each other to make sure we’re okay. We talk about everything.”

The former Air Force World War II veteran realizes the residual benefits from being active every day.

“This keeps me alive and I go out dancing twice a week and play tennis once in a while,” Braunstern said. “I’ve been active all my life and if I stop, then I’ll become an old man. My doctor tells me to keep going until I’m 100 and come back and see him. I’ve retired three times and worked until I was 80. ”

With a clean bill of health, Braunstern has been encouraged to continue to do whatever he has been doing. The goal is to shoot for 100 and there are a lot of people in his corner rooting him on.

Gene Wolter, of Davie, counts himself as a big fan of Braunstern.

“Everybody looks up to A.J. and he’s sort of like my hero,” Wolter said. “He is as young as any of us and some of us are in our late 50s. I’m a baby compared to A.J. at age 73. In addition to everything else he’s just a wonderful guy who is always ready to help.”

Braunstern may be the oldest member of the senior racquetball circuit, but Bouza has the distinction of being around the longest at the Health and Wellness racquetball courts.

Bouza, who lives in Hollywood, has been coming to the JCC center for 21 years and has seen some close members of the racquetball fraternity pass on. There is a memorial wall honoring the former players with their photos and names on it.

“There have been some great guys here, but I’m not ready to go up on that wall just yet,” Bouza said. “This keeps us going and in great shape. The truth is when I don’t come here I don’t know what to do with myself. We don’t have as many friends at this age, but the friends we have are like gold.” Center