On a sunny Wednesday morning at the Peninsula Seniors center on Deep Valley Drive, the familiar sound of a plastic ball rattling across a table echoes through the room. At the far end, with a paddle in hand and a grin on his face, stands 102-year-old Horace Higgins.
“I’ve been playing since I was a kid,” Horace says, resting between volleys. “Even when I was working at a company, they had a ping pong club. We had internal competitions there and we played all the time.”
For Horace, the joy of the game hasn’t faded. “How does it feel to play at 102 compared to 20 or 30 years ago? Just the same,” he answers quickly, eyes bright. “That’s the good part. The game doesn’t change. You just play.”
Horace plays three times a week with the Peninsula Seniors, a routine that keeps him active and socially engaged. “I quit tennis at 101,” he laughs, “and then I started playing ping pong at 102. I tried pickleball for a while, but that was too tough. Ping pong suits me just fine.”
When asked what keeps him coming back, his answer is simple: “It’s fun. It keeps you strong, keeps you sharp. Reflexes, alertness, it’s all there. And it gets you out of the house.”
The games are more about camaraderie than competition. “We don’t keep score,” Horace explains. “Whoever shows up, we just play. Some people are competitive, sure, but I like it best when it’s just fun. Everybody gets into it when we have a long rally, the whole room cheers. There’s a lot of spirit. Even the spectators get excited.”
By the end of each session, Horace feels both energized and satisfied. “It keeps you nice and active and makes you tired so you’re done with your day and ready to rest,” he says. “You feel useful and accomplished.”
For seniors wondering if they should pick up a paddle, Horace has some advice: “Do it. Play. It keeps you on your toes, and it’s better than nothing. It’s really good for you and it’s a lot of fun.”
At 102, Horace proves that age doesn’t have to slow you down. In fact, it might just be the perfect time to pick up a paddle and join the game.
