STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
You might want to brush up on your cornhole tossing. Or, your eight-ball poking.
The inaugural Senior Connection Games will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 and 16.
The event, all in fun, will feature four events on Saturday and three more on Sunday, followed by a closing ceremony and awards.
“It’s for the novice athlete. The only requirement is that you have to be 50 or older,” said Jovita Pina, The Senior Connection’s executive associate.
Seniors games are wildly popular in places like St. George, Utah, where the Huntsman World Senior Games attracts thousands of competitors, including Wood River Valley residents who have competed in such activities as cowboy action shooting and pickleball.
Those games, scheduled Oct. 8-20 this year, include badminton, bowling, archery, horseshoes, cycling, square dancing, softball, track and field, triathlon and volleyball.
“We asked the community what they wanted and one of the things they wanted was more for active younger seniors,” said Pina.
In that vein, The Senor Connection also began organizing Nature Walks this year in places like Greenhorn Gulch, Adams Gulch and Howards Preserve with the help of volunteers from such organizations as Ketchum’s ERC. Ted Angle and Frank Rowland even led a group of 15 on an overnight yurt trip near Smiley Creek.
“We’re just trying to keep people active,” said Pina.
Here’s the lineup for The Senior Connection Games:
On Saturday, Sept.15:
9 a.m. Dollar Hill Climb
9 a.m. Pickle Ball Round Robin
11 a.m. Eight-Ball Tournament
1 p.m. Elkhorn Golf Tournament
On Sunday, Sept. 16:
9 a.m. Pickle Ball Team Competition
9 a.m. Swim Race and Relay
1 p.m. Corn Hole Tourney
4 p.m. Closing Ceremony and Awards
Aspiring competitors can register online at www.seniorconnectionidaho.org.Registration deadline is Sept. 7. Packet pickup is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at The Senior Connection, 721 3rd Ave. S. in Hailey.
For information, call 208-788-3468.