Kenneth Booth Carolyn Booth Pickleball Triumph: Kenneth Booth and Carolyn Booth from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, marked their 58th wedding anniversary on June 3 by playing mixed doubles pickleball at the National Veterans Golden Age Games. The couple, who met in the Navy in 1967, decided to compete after Kenneth Booth discovered the event during a clinic visit.
Finding a New Challenge
Kenneth Booth quickly shared the idea with Carolyn Booth, and they reached out to Coach Keith Snyder, a Recreation Therapist at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, to help them prepare.
“I found the information about the games in a clinic and noticed pickleball was included,” . “Then I thought, we play pickleball, so why not.”(Kenneth Booth)
The pair began practicing together and worked through the early struggles of learning the sport.
“In the beginning, there were a lot of scrapes, bumps and bruises when we first started to play pickleball, but we held on,” (Carolyn Booth).
Building Teamwork on the Court
Training for the games tested their ability to work as a team. Carolyn Booth noted how playing brought out different sides of their personalities.
“It kind of brings out your true personality when you play pickleball,”. “Ken would get a little intense, but we made adjustments, and now we can play well together.”(Carolyn Booth)
Coach Keith Snyder praised the couple’s dedication and skill.
“Ken and Carolyn have been great, and they set the bar high for their sport,”. “They can hold their own against anyone on the pickleball court.”(Kenneth Booth)
Supporting Healthy Aging
Competing together has strengthened their communication and trust. The Booths, both in the 80–84-year-old age group, show how sports can help people stay active and connected as they age.
Advice for Other Veterans
Kenneth Booth encouraged other couples to try the games, explaining that the experience goes beyond winning or losing.
“I think you should do it because once you get here, you realize that camaraderie is such a big part of the event that you relax and don’t worry about the competition. You want to see everyone succeed. It’s a great experience,” (Kenneth Booth).
Carolyn Booth agreed, sharing what she enjoys most.
“One of the things that we love so far about the games is the camaraderie that we experience. It’s amazing,”. “We want everyone to do well.”(Carolyn Booth)
News in Brief: Kenneth Booth Carolyn Booth Pickleball Triumph
Kenneth Booth and Carolyn Booth celebrated 58 years of marriage by playing mixed doubles pickleball at the National Veterans Golden Age Games. With support from Coach Keith Snyder, they trained hard and proved age is no barrier to sport. The couple praised the strong sense of friendship at the event.
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