They were playing a game at the Masters Games yesterday that historians reckoned was being played around 5200BC.
It's called bocce (pronounced botchee) and traces of the game had been found among the early Egyptian drawings showing figures tossing a ball or polished stone.
Some would unkindly suggest there were those involvedin yesterday's contest who were getting on a bit but that didn't stop them having a great time.
Think of indoor bowls without bias and you've probably nailed the best explanation for bocce.
The game is hugely popular at Special Olympics and Teresa Kavanagh was among those who showed their skill on the shellrock outdoor rinks at the Games village.
She teamed up with her mum Eileen and scored a nailbiting 8-7 win over Mike Smith and Kathy Moriarty in the first round.
The pairs were played yesterday with games decided by time or first to 12 points.
The fours will be played today, with each game again dictated by time or the first to 16 points.
Among the field yesterday were the members of the Old Farts, a foursome who had done a little bit of pre-Games practice but who were relying on cunning and a hip flask to get them through.
Paul Gordon said the team found bocce ideal because it was a game played next door to the beer tent.
But, he said, in case of emergencies, the team kit bag carried that flask in case it was needed "for medicinal purposes".
