REG Griffin may be turning 90, but according to his tennis mates, he plays like he is 20 years younger.
Born in the United Kingdom on December 1, 1928, Mr Griffin started his working life with a trade scholarship in cabinetmaking and furniture design.
It was not until 1951 that he discovered his love of sport, particularly tennis and badminton.
Playing with his daughter Lyn, he won the Blackpool badminton mixed doubles tournament for two consecutive years.
On their 50th wedding anniversary in 1999, Reg and Marguerite Griffin moved to Australia to join their family members, setting up their new home in the Redlands.
Since then, Mr Griffin has played tennis weekly at the Redlands Lawn Tennis Association in Cleveland.
Even at 90, tennis teammate Garry Donaldson said Mr Griffin played an impressive game.
“He might not be able to run like a hare anymore but he makes up for it because his shots are just so perfect, Mr Donaldson said.
“He just plays them so well.”
“He knows exactly where to place the ball.”
Mr Griffin has a competitive streak and shows no signs of wishing to retire from his sport.
“He’ll be playing for quite a while yet,” Mr Donaldson said
“In the time that I’ve been playing with him, for about six years, he’s held his form and his fitness, which is remarkable.”
Thirty tennis friends will gather on Sunday, December 2 for a celebration of Mr Griffin’s life and achievements.
“We’ve all got a lot of admiration for him,” Mr Donaldson said.
Mr Griffin and Bruce Maclean were treated to a combined birthday party by the Redland Lawn Tennis Association on Saturday.
Mr Maclean turned 80 years old and also still plays tennis up to four times a week.
Mr Maclean has played tennis with the association since retiring as an airline pilot 20 years ago.
He has been co-ordinator of the veteran’s Saturday afternoon tennis for 14 years.
