Senior Games mini-golf brings a crowd to Dan Nicholas Park
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Phyllis Loflin-Kluttz puts up the scores as the rounds were completed. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Bob Moore watches his putt cross the green at the Senior Games on Monday. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Renita Ritchie makes a difficult putt as she marches toward her silver medal finish in the Women's 60-64 age bracket at the Rowan County Senior Games on Monday. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Eddie Watts tries to locate the cup before he takes a shot. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Joan Faires wore her NC Senior Games socks to the min-golf competition. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
Joan Faires tries to coax her ball toward the cup with a little body language. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
The Rowan County Senior Games moved activities to Dan Nicholas Park on Monday morning to test the skills of the participants on the mini-golf course. Jon C. Lakey/Salisbury Post
By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — En route to an impressive first-round score, Betsy Rich let out a burst of excitement during Monday’s Salisbury-Rowan Senior Games putt-putt competition.
“Three holes in one. I just got three holes in one,” Rich exclaimed.
Rich, a four-year veteran of putt-putt competition, hit her third hole in one with a swift stroke on the 12th hole. By the end of the first round, Rich’s score was an impressive 44, well under par. She was paired with Frances Wells, who also scored well.
The pair competed in the 85-89 age category. They were two of a few dozen people who participated in the putt-putt competition at Dan Nicholas Park. Unlike other Senior Games sports, there’s no state competition for putt-putt, but friendly competition seemed to be enough for Monday’s putters.”
“The big thing about Senior Games is, one, it’s great for your health because you’re active and, two, it’s great for your social life because you make so many wonderful friends,” said Karen Pridmore, who was paired with Renita Ritchie.
Monday’s competitors played 36 holes. Five strokes was the highest possible score on each hole. If competitors could sink a shot before then, 5 became the default score.
Competitors ranged in age from the 50s to mid-90s.
“If I can get there in 2, I’ll be very happy,” said 88-year-old Jim Baird as he prepared to take a shot.
The top score among all women competitors was Pridmore, who shot 95 over all 36 holes. With a 91, Jim Epperson finished with the best score among the men.
“We tell each other it doesn’t matter who wins, but it matters,” joked George Kluttz, who competed in the 65-69 age group.
Division standings for the put- putt competition are:
• Women 55-59: Lisa Baity, Gold
• Women 60-64: Karen Pridmore, gold; Renita Ritchie, silver; Angela Potter, bronze
• Women 65-69: Susan Lowman, gold; Mary Bentley, silver
• Women 70-74: Sheila Gould, gold
• Women 75-79 Jane Steinberg, gold; Joanne French, silver; Louise Lowman, bronze
• Women 80-84: Phyllis Faires, gold; Helen Sienerth, silver; Sylvia Solely, bronze
• Women 85-89: Betsy Rich, gold; Frances Wells, silver
• Women 90-94: Hazel Trexler-Campbell, gold
• Men 60-64: Mike Shue, gold; Charles Underwood, silver
• Men 65-69: George Kluttz, gold; Jack Goodman, silver; Will Ritchie, bronze
• Men 70-74: Jackie Lowman, gold; Richard Gould, silver; Brian Campbell, bronze
• Men 75-79: Gregory Seaford, gold; Paul Peeler, silver; Jim Epperson, bronze
• Men 85-89: James Baird, gold; Bob Moore, silver
For more information about the Salisbury-Rowan Senior Games, call 704-216-7780 or contact Phyllis Loflin-Kluttz or Savannah Daniel at phyllis.kluttz@rowancountync.gov or savannah.daniel@rowancountync.gov.
Senior Games will end May 22 with golf at Crescent Golf Club. Loflin-Kluttz said it’s too late to sign up for remaining games.
Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.
