Week 218 - Huntsman World Senior Games - 10-17-2010

Huntsman World Senior Games,

Now that our Tour 2010 has restarted, we have brought back our map. As we expect to spend the fall and winter in the Southwest only, next week we will zoom in on this area. Hopefully, you can see approximately where we will be in the future, so that we can meet up with you. This week we will be visiting with our friend Paula in Palm Springs.

Now, for the 24th Annual Huntsman World Senior Games. The World Senior Games were started in 1987 by Daisy and John H. Morgan, Jr., as an event for seniors 55 and up. In the second year, the minimum age was changed to 50 to increase participation. And over the years the increases have come as this year, there were over 10,000 seniors from 28 states and 26 foreign countries. While we do not know, it is probable that softball was one of the first sports. This year there were 375 softball teams competing. Our friend Brad and his team took the Gold medal in their division.

Most of the 26 sports are broken down into age groups: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75 plus. Some sports also divide into skill levels. Each event of competition is awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Our sport, Pickleball (PB) has been included in the games since 2003. While PB is very rigorous, very mature adults can play with great abilities. So, this year, the age brackets offered went way beyond 75 plus. They included the typical age groups and 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99 and 100 plus. The oldest player this year was 93 and he was amazing to watch.

The total list of PB events are Men's Doubles by Age and Skill, Women's Doubles by Age and Skill, Mixed Doubles and Singles by Age. Pete and Ellen played the Mixed Doubles Age 55-59, as Ellen is in the younger group. We were able to find partners for the other events. Pete signed up as a sub for Men's Doubles Skill Level 3.5 (out of 5). Just 5 minutes prior to the start of their first game, Pete was called in to play with Linn (shown below). Linn has played many tournaments and guided their team to three wins and two losses.

All brackets with eight or more teams, played double elimination. In the winners bracket you play a 2 out of 3 match, with each game to 11 points. If you lose once you play in the consolation's bracket, one game only to 15. If you you lose again, you're out. 1) Ellen watches her shot across the net in her first match. 2) Pete's 60-64 age partner Lyman is below. The referee said "take a rest". We are not sure what Lyman heard!

Pete and Lyman, both rookies to tournaments were ahead 10-1 in their first game. Their opponents made a come back but lost to Pete and Lyman 11-9. In the next two games, their seasoned opponents slaughtered them and sent them immediately to the loser's bracket where they lost again and watched the rest of the day. It was great fun.

1) The view from atop the Mothership was great. You could see 10 of the 20 courts and the clubhouse. 2) With 381 PB players playing in almost 500 matches, even the Mothership started to nod off!

The city of St. George is nestled among the red rock bluffs. 1) This view from the West is taken from the St. George Airport. 2) The view back from the East side shows the plateau where the airport resides. The white building is the St. George Mormon Temple.

After 10 days, 150 games of pickleball, dozens of friends and no medals, Pete loads the scooter onto the Mothership to prepare to move on. The tournament experience was great. This is a level 2 tournament with 1 being the toughest. There are a dozen more tournaments of various levels in the Southwest and we will likely participate in some of them.

Just a couple of miles down Interstate 15 is Arizona and the Virgin River Canyon. What an enjoyable way to relax your weary bones after the games.

This canyon reflects God's handiwork and amazingly ends abruptly into flat land just after the two turns you see on the left.

Our 10 days of dry camping ended at the Oasis RV Park in Mesquite, Nevada. Water, power, sewer, cable TV and air conditioning. Wow, now that's living large!

On Sunday after not being able to locate the Mesquite Living Waters Fellowship church, we headed down the road, past Las Vegas . . .

. . . and landed at the Elks in Needles, California.

Playing at the Huntsman was a delightful experience. We are certain to be back next year. While there were many RVer's at the games, the majority of the athletes came by car and flights.

You can find all the information at www.SeniorGames.net

Have fun, stay healthy and we'll see you at the games!
Love, Pete and Ellen

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win." 1st Corinthians 9:24

Photos from Oct 2010