Area seniors compete and connect at Sanford’s Golden Age Games.
By Peter Reilly
For all the athletes over age 50 who competed in the 37th annual Golden Age Games in Sanford, it wasn’t whether they won or lost, but that they played the games.
The recent weeklong event was all about connecting with their youth, with their love of sport, and with friends and family.
“I love the competition, but it’s the camaraderie that makes it special,” says Lake Mary resident Charles Jordan, who won five medals in track and field.
Charles, who competes in the 55 to 59 age group, was one of hundreds of senior men and women from the Florida area who took part in sports ranging from archery, ballroom dancing, track and field, swimming and table tennis, to golf, basketball shooting, bowling, horseshoes, and tennis.
“I think it’s a wonderful event,” he says, “and every time I see the banner that says it’s the nation’s oldest senior games, it gives me an extra piece of pride to be part of it.”
Charles, who works in global telecommunications, and his wife Belinda struck up a friendship with another track and field family, Chris and Laurie Cooper of Sanford, who brought their five-year-old twins Adam and Olivia.
“The next time we are at a meet together, it will be like meeting old friends,” says Charles, who was participating for the third year. “These meets are almost like a family reunion because we do look for each other year in and year out, and it’s just as much about seeing each other as competing.”
Laurie, a nurse, won five races in the 50 to 55 age bracket. Chris, who works in business communications, picked up a handful of gold in the 55 to 59 bracket. He also participated in swimming.
While he’s been a runner for more than 30 years, Laurie started running only three years ago.
Her advice to couch potatoes who’ve reached the half-century mark and think they can’t participate in the games is simple: “Start by walking and take it from there,” she says. “They can do well at anything they put their mind to. As long as they think they’re a winner, age is just a number.”
Since retiring at 65 in May, Craig Roberts of Longwood has been looking to make new friends. He thought participating in the basketball shooting event was a great way “to be active and meet some new people. That’s very important for people in my age group and older.”
“The games are vital for the seniors in this community,” agrees Kim Eltonhead, director of the games. “It keeps them active and healthy and allows them to participate in social events.”
For Nancy Weinbaum and Paul Polgar, both Seminole High School swim team alumni and former Lake Mary residents, the swimming competition was not only about being active, but also about reuniting with family. Paul got to spend time with his dad, who still lives in Lake Mary
“We go out to dinner and have a nice visit and then I swim in the meet the next day,” says the 63-year-old who now lives in Safety Harbor and owns a swimsuit company.
Paul, who’s married with two boys, won five medals. But to him the games are special because “it gives me something to train and work towards. The important thing is the fact that we’re still doing it. We’re still swimming.”
Nancy, a retired art teacher, who lives in the Gainesville area, got a chance to visit with her mom Millie Murray, who owns Millie’s Barber Shop in Lake Mary.
“I come back to Sanford for the games, so I can see family and swim a little,” says Nancy, 60. who took home silver in three events.
“And my grandkids think it’s cool.”