Senior Games Rocked by Stormy Weather but Medalists Shine Through

The opening weekend of the 2013 National Senior Games in Rock Hall of Fame city, Cleveland, got off to a dramatic start with Mother Nature unleashing a torrent of rain and thunderstorms on Friday night. The downpour continued into early Saturday morning, causing chaos at the Sims Park Disc Golf Course where competitors were scheduled to play.

By dawn, water had inundated several holes, making them unplayable, and it became clear that the course would not be ready for the Senior Games participants by Sunday as planned. Organizers swiftly rearranged the schedule, moving all rounds to Veterans Memorial Park in Parma, a nearby suburb.

Despite the initial disruption, the first round got underway at 10:30 am, only 30 minutes later than scheduled. Although lightning strikes continued throughout the morning, the tournament finally got underway under cloudy skies. The second round saw some glimpses of sunshine, but it was not until Sunday that the weather cleared up completely.

The Senior Games featured a range of divisions for athletes aged 50 and above, with participants competing in their respective age groups. Each day's competition consisted of two rounds of 18 holes for most divisions, except for those aged 70 or older who played one round per day.

Eight gold medalists emerged from the disc golf event, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination in the face of challenging conditions. Olive Bollander, an 85-year-old competitor from New Mexico, was among the oldest participants, playing in the Female 85+ division.

The organizers and volunteers deserve special recognition for their hard work in making the event a success. Bill Griffith, PDGA Senior Committee chairman, worked tirelessly over the past six months to bring disc golf into the National Senior Games program. The Parma Disc Golf Club and Euclid Disc Golf Club also ensured that the courses were meticulously manicured for the players.

The concurrent PDGA-only event drew participants using standard divisions, with full results available online. Anyone interested in serving on the PDGA Senior Committee or helping to promote disc golf in their state can contact Bill Griffith through the PDGA website.

The 2013 National Senior Games provided a testament to the dedication and resilience of its competitors, who rose above the challenges posed by inclement weather to claim their medals.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/mother-nature-rocks-rolls-but-national-senior-games-continue-on