……have returned to The Villages for its 13^th year with over 1220 participants registered and competing in over 111 events, with 11 age divisions. Friends from all over the state come to compete, not only Villagers. I say friends, as many have made many good friends from around the state and through out the  country, while taking part in their particular events.  The games started last Monday and finished up today, Sunday.  I happened to get caught up in the excitement at the Hacienda Recreation Center, when I stopped over to pick up a guest pass.  I didn’t know what was going on, but the minute I stepped into the center, the atmosphere was electric.  I thought to myself, what a group of upbeat Billiard players. It seemed like old home week as they greeted each other.  It wasn’t until I got home and saw the paper that I realized I had stumbled into the Senior Games Billiard event. The competitions that were held this week were Badminton, Tennis, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Bowling, Billiards, Basketball, Bocce, Horseshoes, Swimming, Track and Field, and Archery.  The pickleball events are being held April 18, 19, 20. I’m not sure when golf and baseball events are being held, or if they have already competed.  The Villages Senior Games are a stepping stone to the biennial National Senior Games.  The top five places in each age division advance to the state games in Lee County, where they will get an opportunity to qualify for nationals. The National Senior Games will be held in Cleveland Ohio this year, and from the articles I have been reading many of the Village participants have qualified and competed in the Nationals, and are hoping to do the same this year. Some of the residents that compete are living here in The Villages, as they heard about our community at the Nationals and decided to come down and take a look.  They said it can’t be that good, the people are just bragging, but they came and realized how great a community it is, and how much support they receive as athletes.  I thought people only came here for golf..fooled again.

Tomorrow, Monday the final event will be the Celebration of Athletes at the Saddlebrook Softball Complex.  Gates open at 3:30pm, the program will begin at 4pm, with dinner being served at 5pm.  The event requires a ticket, although the athletes are free.  I hope I’m not too late giving this information, but if you would like to attend I would check with the box office.