North Alabama Seniors Win 107 Masters Games Medals
TARCOG area seniors proved their true competitive spirit at the Masters Games of Alabama and brought home great memories along with 107 medals.
The Masters Games were held in Valley during the third week of October when 39 North Alabama seniors earned 51 gold medals, 19 silver, and 23 bronze medals, along with another 14 medals for the completion of a One Mile Fun Walk.
At age 90, Gene Ross, of Harvest, had two gold and three silver medals hanging around his neck when he headed home with wins in Shuffleboard, Softball Throw, Basketball Free Throw, Billiards and Cornhole.
Ross said staying active is important in the aging process.
“These games are great because first of all, you have companions and friends of a lifetime participating and encouraging each other to get out there and do it,” he said. “Even if you can’t do it well, it keeps you moving.”
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Ross is a graduate of Kenyon College, and longtime North Carolina resident. He participated in and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Senior Games while in North Carolina. He moved to North Alabama to be closer to his son after the death of his wife of 63 years, Ginny.
“I looked it up down here, found the Masters Games and started participating,” Ross said.
The Masters Games of Alabama is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for active adults ages 50 and older. The goal of the games is to promote social, mental and physical activities for this age group.
From the opening to closing ceremonies, participants expressed excitement, determination and a friendly competitive spirit throughout the games which were held from Monday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 19. It was the first competition since COVID-19.
A little more than 250 attendees from around the state participated in a Fun Walk and competed in Rook, Cornhole, Shuffleboard Billiards, Domino Singles, Pickleball, Billiards, Table Tennis, Bowling, Dominoes Doubles, Nerf and Frisbee throws.
The fun didn’t stop there. Pop up card games and impromptu line dancing were among ways participants kept themselves occupied between games. Women swooned as Elvis performed during the Sock Hop Wednesday evening.
On the younger side of the competition, Joann Carter, 54, of Fort Payne, participated for the first time. She works with the DeKalb County Center on Aging as a nutrition coordinator.
“I’m embracing life every day,” Carter said. “I love my job and I love life and I enjoy seeing our seniors, and well, myself, get out and live life and have fun and just be encouraged to do our best.”
She brought home six gold medals in the basketball free throw, cornhole, domino singles, frisbee throw, Nerf throw and softball through.
“Everyone had a great time and can’t wait until we do it all over again next year,” said Emmitt Davis, TARCOG’s Community Services Coordinator who also serves of the board of the Alabama Masters Games.
Click here for more photos of the 2023 Masters Games of Alabama
RESULTS: Masters Games of Alabama
North Alabama Medal Winners
Representing Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) and North Alabama Regional Council of Governments (NARCOG) in Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan counties.
Roger Bedingfield, Athens
2nd Billiards
2nd Table Tennis
Linda Black, Athens
3rd Billiards
1st Table Tennis
Amy Golden, Athens
1st Basketball Free Throw
1st Frisbee Throw
1st Nerf Throw
2nd Shuffleboard
2nd Softball Throw
Tony Thornock, Athens
1st Cornhole
1st Domino Singles
3rd Frisbee Throw
2nd Nerf Throw
Larry Snell, Athens
3rd Basketball Free Throw
1st Softball Throw
Christine Ashley, Fort Payne
3rd Cornhole
1st Nerf Throw
Joann Carter, Fort Payne
1st Basketball Free Throw
1st Cornhole
1st Domino Singles
1st Frisbee Throw
1st Nerf Throw
1st Softball Throw
Debbie Daniel, Fort Payne
3rd Basketball Free Throw
2nd Frisbee Throw
1st Nerf Throw
3rd Shuffleboard
2nd Softball Throw
Connie Green, Fort Payne
2nd Domino Singles
3rd Nerf Throw
Denise Harris, Sylvania
1st Bowling
3rd Domino Singles
Wanda Henderson, Fort Payne
3rd Basketball Free Throw
2nd Cornhole
3rd Softball Throw
Dee Vaughn, Geraldine
1st Basketball Free Throw
1st Bowling
1st Cornhole
1st Shuffleboard
1st Softball Throw
Debra Collins, Athens
1st Basketball Free Throw
3rd Billiards
1st Cornhole
3rd Shuffleboard
3rd Softball Throw
Dianne Manning, Collinsville
1st Bowling
1st Cornhole
James Manning, Collinsville
1st Bowling
2nd Cornhole
3rd Softball Throw
Carmie Pettry, Fyffe
3rd Bowling
Charles Simmons, Collinsville
2nd Bowling
Regina Emerson, Elkmont
1st Basketball Free Throw
2nd Billiards
3rd Frisbee Throw
3rd Nerf Throw
1st Softball Throw
Steve McFarland, Athens
1st Basketball Free Throw
1st Cornhole
Gene Ross, Harvest
2nd Basketball Free Throw
2nd Billiards
2nd Cornhole
1st Shuffleboard
1st Softball Throw
George Stone, Union Grove
1st Basketball Free Throw
3rd Softball Throw
Ann McLemore, Athens
3rd Domino Singles
STATE PARTNER MEDAL WINNERS
Amy M. Golden, Athens / Tony G. Thornock, Athens
1st Domino Doubles
Betty Bolton, Athens / Claude N. Marks, Athens
1st Rook
Carolyn H. Weatherford, Athens / Peggy J. Davis, Athens
1st Pickleball Doubles
Denise Harris, Sylvania / Wanda J. Henderson, Fort Payne
1st Rook
Dot A. Twilley, Fort Payne / Patsy E. Griggs, Fort Payne
3rd Rook
Krystyn “Krys” Gromek, Athens / Carolyn H. Weatherford, Athens
1st Pickleball Mixed Doubles
Larry L. Snell, Athens / Steve McFarland, Athens
1st Pickleball Doubles
Linda C. Black, Athens / Ann N. McLemore, Athens
1st Rook
Regina M. Emerson, Elkmont / Tony Thornock, Athens
2nd Rook
Rhonda Weatherford, Athens / Jenny K. Ford, Athens
1st Pickleball Doubles
Rhonda Weatherford, Athens / Larry Snell, Athens
3rd Pickleball Mixed Doubles
ONE-MILE FUN WALK
Christine Ashley, Fort Payne
Linda Black, Athens
Betty Bolton, Athens
Joann Carter, Fort Payne
Debra Collins, Athens
Debbie Daniel, Fort Payne
Regina Emerson, Elkmont
Connie Green, Fort Payne
Patsy Griggs, Fort Payne
Wanda Henderson, Fort Payne
Steve McFarland, Athens
Louise Snell, Athens
Tony Thornock, Athens
Dot Twilley, Fort Payne
The TARCOG region filled a dozen places make it on the Masters Games of Alabama Scoring Highlights List. Overall winners from District 2, which includes Cullman, DeKalb, Jackson, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall and Morgan counties were:
In the BASKETBALL Free Throw, all women had to shoot 21 shots from the adjusted free throw line. This year, a new rule was added that allowed women aged 80 and older to shoot from a shorter goal. All men had to shoot 30 shots. Those who were 80-plus also shot from the adjusted line. Anyone under 80 shot from the regular free throw line.
Female
- Sarah “Alice” Miller, Lacey’s Spring, won Second Best Women’s Score for hitting 10 baskets, Female, Age 90+
Male
- Dee Vaughn, Geraldine, Best Men’s Score for hitting 28 baskets, Age 55-59
- Charles “Rick” White, Cullman, 2nd Best Men’s Score for hitting 24 baskets, Age 80-84
- Earnest Lee, Hartselle, 2nd Best Men’s Score for hitting 24 baskets, Age 85-89
- George Stone, Union Grove, 3rd Best Men’s Score for hitting 23 baskets, Age 70-74
BOWLING
Female
- Dianne Manning, Collinsville, 2nd Best Women’s Score with a three-game total of 452, Age 77-79
- Denise Harris, Sylvania, 4th Best Women’s Score with a three-game total score of 369, Age 65-69
Male
- Charles Simmons, Collinsville, 4th Best Men’s Score with a three-game total score of 507, Age 80-84
NERF THROW
Male
- Tony Thornock, Athens, was in the Male Age 75 – 79 group which had the longest and farthest playoff rounds in the Nerf ball throw. After seven playoff rounds, starting at 15 feet and finishing at 30 feet, Thornock earned 2nd place
SHUFFLEBOARD There were 54 female and 16 male bracketed games.
Male
- Earnest Lee, Hartselle, Best Men’s Score with 50 points, Age 85-89
SOFTBALL THROW
Male
- Dee Vaughn, Geraldine, Best Men’s Throw at 123 feet, Age 55-59
- Larry Snell, Athens, 2nd Best Men’s Throw at 117 feet, Age 75-79
Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS to all of our winners!