Handball Keeps These Octogenarians on the Ball

Several hours a day, brothers Dana and Worthy Gee chase a tiny ball and slam it against walls of a handball court. Other players watch in amazement.

Dana is 88, and his little brother is 80.

Anyone can be good with 68 years of practice, they reason.

“They call us the old men,” Worthy said. “We have a few people who razz us. Then we invite them to play a game--and they won’t.

“We’re still competitive.”

Learned Game in 1920

Dana learned to play handball in 1920. To have a partner, he taught his little brother. But Worthy said he showed little promise.

“First thing Dana said to me is: ‘You’ll never make a handball player. Stick to volleyball.’ I didn’t listen, I guess,” Worthy said.

Handball requires nimble movements as players use the palms of their hands to smack a ball against three wooden walls on the edges of the court.

Worthy said: “It’s a great game, but you don’t see other 80-year-old players. They all quit at 70. It’s too hard of a game.

“To stay competitive, you have to run around the court. It’s a challenge, but, once you quit being active, the whole thing goes down the drain.”

Also Lifts Weights

Dana, who works out with weights and plays golf, has given up serious handball competition.

“I guess I ran out of gas,” he said. “Over the years, the game has gotten faster. I think they’re making the balls livelier.”

The brothers captured city handball championship titles in 1965 and 1967. Last year, the Gees and six others were inducted into the Handball Assn. of Ohio Hall of Fame.

Kay Pudelski, manager of the Gees’ athletic club, said they are like family there.

“Other people love them,” she said. “They’re such cards, and they’ve always got so much energy. They’re good players. They know the court like the back of their hand.”

Courting at Club

Dana, a widower, likes visiting the club for a little off-court courting.

“The women flirt with him,” Worthy said. Dana has been known to flirt back.

Worthy, married 58 years, retired in January from the Columbus Dispatch newspaper, where he was a tour guide and, previously, assistant city circulation manager. Dana retired years ago as a transportation manager for a local food company.

This leaves days free to play ball. Dana plans to keep at it, but Worthy isn’t so sure.

“As it is, I’ve got to play eight more years to catch up with him,” he said.

“I wish he’d hurry up and slow down so I could, too.”