Golf, Bridge and Interior Design: How One Atria Resident Stays Active at 91

At 91, Sari Mainzer can summarize her secret to longevity in one word: activity.

Since moving to Atria on Roslyn Harbor in January of 2023, Sari has kept busy with a mix of golf, bridge and the occasional interior design project.

“Coming to Atria and taking advantage of everything they offer has given me a new lease on life,” she says.

Sari’s path to the green

Her love of golf started in 1990 while staying at a hotel in Maine, where she decided to grab some clubs and play. Despite never having swung a golf club before, she quickly took to the game.

“I love the outdoors and I love moving around, so golf fit my lifestyle well,” Sari says. “Sometimes I go to the course alone and meet new people, so it’s a social scene for me as well.”

Weather permitting, she plays a couple times a week at nearby Harbor Links Country Club, and she regularly works with a golf pro to improve her swing. She says her game is currently, “The best it’s been in years.”

Endeavors off the course

When she’s not busy working on her golf game, Sari makes it a point to stay mentally active through creative pursuits, including interior design. Before retiring, she worked as an interior designer for decades, served on the board of the American Society of Interior Designers and taught at the New York School of Interior Design for more than 20 years. The company she started, Sari Mainzer Interiors, is now run by her daughter, but Sari still works on a select few interior design projects for clients.

She also started a program at Atria where she meets with new residents and discusses what items to bring to optimize space and layout in their apartments. She enjoys welcoming new residents to Atria and helping them settle into the community.

Pursuing new interests at Atria

Atria’s Engage Life^® events program means there’s always something to do and discover. Two of Sari's favorite classes are beading and watercolor painting, and she plays bridge with fellow residents three times a week.

Words of wisdom

For younger people hoping to stay active and happy as they age, she advises stepping out of their comfort zone.

“Don’t be afraid to ‘not be good’ at something just because it’s new to you,” Sari says. “You’re capable of far more than you think. And you’ll meet some wonderful new people along the way.”