Victoria’s Murray Olson has been visiting Osoyoos on vacation and playing squash whenever he visits for more than 40 years. Olson is competing this week at the World Masters Squash Championships in the over 60 age division. (Richard McGuire photo)
A man who has been visiting Osoyoos for more than 40 years – and spending much of his free time playing squash during his hundreds of visits – says he’s in the best shape of his life as he competes in the World Masters Squash Championships in Hong Kong.
The event is taking place this week and features many of the best players in the world age 50 and over. Olson has entered the 60 and over draw.
“I think I’m playing some of the best squash of my life right now, which isn’t too bad for an old guy” said Murray Olson, 60, who lives and plays most of his squash in Victoria.
For more than 40 years, Olson has been spending vacation time in Osoyoos and he and his wife Jeannette continue to come here on a regular basis after purchasing a rental property more than 20 years ago.
Whenever he visits Osoyoos, Olson practices and plays at the two squash courts at the Desert Park grandstand building.
Olson spends several weeks in Osoyoos each spring and fall and played plenty of squash preparing for the world masters tournament,
“I decided a few months ago I was going to give it a shot and train to play at the world masters,” said Olson, whose son Tyler has been one of Canada’s top junior players over the past five years. “My wife and I have done a lot of travelling, but we have never been to Hong Kong and I thought playing in this tournament would provide a great opportunity to travel there and test my skills against the top guys in my age bracket.
“I do pretty well in B.C. against guys my age but I know there’s going to be another level playing at the world championships because there’s no doubt a lot of former pros are going to be there and the level of competition is going to be incredible.”
Like most competitive squash players, Olson is in terrific shape. He’s also blessed with an amazing set of hands and possesses the ability to hit numerous trick shots most squash players would never consider trying in a match.
“My plan is to work my butt off and see just how far I can take my game to get ready for Hong Kong,” said Olson, during a recent visit to Osoyoos.
Olson and his wife spent this past winter in Mexico, where he planned to raise his fitness level by working out, playing tennis and increasing his cariovascular capicity.
He returned to Osoyoos in May and spent a lot of his time playing squash at Desert Park as part of his final prepartions for the World Masters.
Olson didn’t get his “squash addiction” until age 29.
“I played once as a kid in Grade 8, but never lifted a racquet again until age 29,” he said. “I didn’t love it right away and it took six months to get a hold of me because I was a tennis player and liked that more, but once I started getting better at squash, I threw away the tennis racquet and was officially an addict for about 10 years.”
Olson quickly became one of the best players in Vancouver and played four to six times a week when he suddenly quit the game once again just before turning 40.
“My wife and I bought our first house and we started renovating and two years later we had our son … and life just sort of happened and I didn’t pick up a racquet for 14 years,” he said.
His passion for the game was rekindled when he introduced his son to squash at age 11.
Within two years, Tyler Olson was a top junior in Vancouver and remained one of the top juniors in his age division until age 19.
Tyler is currently attending Harvard University, where he is studying economics and playing on the varsity team against some of the best college players in North America.
Olson and his wife own a private seniors’ care home and he suddenly had free time and thought he would return to squash as a way to stay busy and ease himself back into shape.
Since recovering from a serious knee injury caused by squash at age 53, Olson hasn’t had any more serious injuries.
Squash is the best game in the world as far as he’s concerned.
“It’s a game that keeps you in fantastic shape, it’s a lot of fun and the people you meet through the sport are incomparable,” he said. “It has been a big part of my life.”
Olson said his only goal in Hong Kong is to play well.
“I just want to play my best and not embarrass myself, but I’m playing really well and if I can stay injury-free, I think I will do alright.”
Olson said he’s met many good friends over the years from Osoyoos and thanks the small, but dedicated core of local players who he has played against over the years.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
