Town’s ‘Senior Games’ prove that love of sports is ageless

Town’s ‘Senior Games’ prove that love of sports is ageless
Town’s ‘Senior Games’ prove that love of sports is ageless
Pictured (l-r) at Bird Bowl are Ed Levy, Dilamar Borgnath, George Pringle, Nancy Pringle and Ken Jones.

The Town of Cutler Bay’s first annual “Senior Games” scored a hit with residents, ages 50 to 79. The series of events took place Mar. 17- 22 in various town parks and other locations around the area.

Tennis and Pickleball competitions were conducted at Saga Bay Park. Table tennis, basketball shooting, swimming, bag toss and horseshoes took place at Cutler Ridge Park.

Bowling contests were done at Bird Bowl, 9275 SW 40 St. Shuffleboard matches took place at East Ridge Retirement Village, 19301 SW 87 Ave., and Billiards competitions were conducted at Hot Shots Billiards, 19325 S. Dixie Hwy.

“The Senior Games were fun for all involved,” said resident Stephen Zarzecki, who swam. “The participants enjoyed the swim and the friendly competition. The lifeguards did a professional job in organizing and running the swim meet.”

Dave Host, who won in several events, also said he enjoyed it but would have liked an additional event.

“I run track and field in the senior games and always have to travel out of the county to compete,” Host said. “Cutler Bay didn’t put track and field in their games so hopefully they will next year.

“This was the first time someone has held a senior games competition in Dade County so it was a good start. Since there were no track events, I decided to compete in the other events with some of my friends just so some of us would have bragging rights over the others for a year.”

Cutler Bay Councilmember Sue Loyzelle decided to take part in the competitions herself, winning in several events.

“I had so much fun participating in the senior games, although I consider myself a rookie participant,” Loyzelle said. “The minimum age to participate was 50 so I decided to check out the games. I’m really glad I did. I met so many more ‘seasoned seniors’ who were not rookies for sure. They knew all the rules and regulations for each age group. Many of these folks travel to all of the qualifying games around Florida.”

Winners in the various events were as follows:

Bag Toss: Sue Loyzelle, Thomas Halfaker and George Pringle;

Basketball Shooting: Bill Ramsey, Nancy Pringle and George Pringle;

Billiards: Dilamar Borgneth and George Pringle;

Bowling: Dave Host, Nancy Pringle and Kenneth Jones Sr.;

Horseshoes: Sue Loyzelle, Don Champion and Edward Leavy;

Pickleball: George Pringle, and Bob Dubord and Rhonda DuBord in mixed doubles;

Shuffleboard: Dave Host, Edward Leavy, Sandra Reed, and Sandra Reed and Robert Parkerson in doubles.

Swimming: Robert Leipzig, William Zenga, Robert Jacobson, Dilamar Borgneth, Stephen Zarzecki and Robert Mercer;

Table Tennis: Adam Goldstein, Danuta Andrezejewska, George Pringle, Albert Blatt and Essie Faria.

“The Senior Games are just that — fun games to play with friends old and new,” Nancy Pringle said. “Come out and try something you’ve never done before.”

Loyzelle said she enjoyed meeting the others and hearing their stories. She hopes to see all the winners at the state championships in December.

“I was totally amazed by one female participant who is 79 years old and participated in a 5K in Boca Raton on Saturday morning, then drove to our senior games in Cutler Bay and participated in swimming, then bag toss and then horseshoes,” Loyzelle said.

“I was truly amazed at her stamina. I can only hope that when I reach 79 I am in as good of shape as she is. A huge thank you to the Cutler Bay Parks and Recreation staff for a job well done.”


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