The idea of one senior division (40+), broken into skill levels, would work okay.
In practical terms, it would be about the same---we usually see 40+, 50+, and sometimes 60+ divisions now, so we'd just be re-arranging those people into 3 other divisions. And, just as now, sometimes finding one or more of them underpopulated.
It's true enough that most players, looking to avoid the "kids", would find it satisfactory. But perhaps not as satisfying.
When you win a ratings-protected division, even the general ones, you still know you there's a bit of an asterisk attached. Less so when you're the best of the old men, beating all the other 50+s. I might be old and broken down, but I was a good as any of the other old broken down guys today. It might be something you have to be there to appreciate.
But also a small thing; the tighter competition, if it was 40+ separated by skill level, would be good, too. Sometimes there's a fairly wide gap in skill levels in an older division.
In practical terms, it would be about the same---we usually see 40+, 50+, and sometimes 60+ divisions now, so we'd just be re-arranging those people into 3 other divisions. And, just as now, sometimes finding one or more of them underpopulated.
It's true enough that most players, looking to avoid the "kids", would find it satisfactory. But perhaps not as satisfying.
When you win a ratings-protected division, even the general ones, you still know you there's a bit of an asterisk attached. Less so when you're the best of the old men, beating all the other 50+s. I might be old and broken down, but I was a good as any of the other old broken down guys today. It might be something you have to be there to appreciate.
But also a small thing; the tighter competition, if it was 40+ separated by skill level, would be good, too. Sometimes there's a fairly wide gap in skill levels in an older division.