Table tennis at the Susi Q Senior Center includes plenty of character

Table tennis at the Susi Q Senior Center attracts many regular players from a variety of backgrounds, each with a story.

There is Monir Ramhormozi, known as Mo, who came to California 30 years ago from Abadan, Iran. Until retirement, he was a structural engineer. Mo likes his privacy and a peaceful life.

Terry Timmins is a man of many interests. He owns a ranch in the Mojave National Preserve where formerly he had horses but since his daughter left for college now grows fruit trees. Terry was in the Marines during the Vietnam War and was based at the El Toro air station.

He grew up in Texas, where he wrangled cattle, and calls himself a “blue neck” cowboy. He has a doctorate in sociology and was a professor at Orange Coast College for 42 years. He also ran the table tennis club there for 20 years and was elected president of the USA Table Tennis Assn. This past year, he coached a group of us table tennis players to improve our strokes and our game.

Freddie Greenfield retired after working for 40 years as a clinical and surgical technician in ophthalmology. He is passionate about guarding and protecting the marine area, and he volunteers twice a week as a tide pool docent for the Ocean Institute at Dana Point Harbor.

He has been playing table tennis for three years.

Fiona Skye, from Bath, England, came to California in 1980. In the past, she was a massage therapist. Now she is taking courses in tai chi, photography, voice and knitting for Vida Rose, her first grandchild, who arrived in January. Fiona goes to concerts with her boyfriend, who plays the saxophone.

Terry Brandt has been playing at the senior center for close to three years. He has lived in Laguna Beach since 1972 and is a former city employee who likes mountain biking, lawn bowling and gardening.

Terri Fitzsimons was born in Portugal, spent the first five years of his life in England, then moved to the midwest and came to California in 1962. He studied journalism, photography and theater at Orange Coast College. He was a writer for Blade magazine until about four years ago.

Philip McKeon has been playing table tennis since he was 6. He worked as an electrical engineer in Seattle until 2001. He currently is writing a self-help book.

Jeanie Nguyen is from Vietnam and came here 10 years ago to be near her family. In Vietnam, she worked as a hotel receptionist. Here she works part time in a dental office.

Glenn McIntyre is a graphic designer who has his own company, Design Alliance, which makes brochures and other marketing materials for large apartment complexes. He has played table tennis at the Susi Q for about four years.

“I feel like I’m 18 years old when I am here,” he said. “The people are as valuable as the game.”

Chao Chi has been playing table tennis for more than 60 years, since childhood in China. Chao was trained as an electrical engineer and researcher in computer science and headed a research laboratory for many years.

“We have a wonderful ping-pong group at the Susi Q,” he said. “We laugh, we talk and tease each other for fun. We have a good environment, well supported by the Susi Q staff. I can’t ask for more.”

Gene Wong was born and raised in Honolulu and moved stateside when he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956. He earned an engineering degree, worked as a civil engineer and has been living in Laguna Beach since 1973.

About playing at the senior center, he said, “Table tennis is one sport that can be played throughout one’s elder years. It takes eye-hand coordination, quick decision making and execution.”

Table tennis at the Susi Q is held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 12:30 to 2:30 or 3 p.m. Fridays; and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the center, 380 Third St., Laguna Beach. For people who play frequently, there is a $25 annual fee. Drop-ins are free. Paddles are available to borrow or you can bring your own. The only requirement is to wear non-skid shoes. All levels of play are welcome.

MARGOT ROSENBERG is a Laguna Beach resident.