Reflecting on the Games

Name: Richard Jacobs

Age: 66

Events: Swimming, 65-Plus Men’s 100m Back (gold), 65-Plus Men’s 50m Back (silver), 65-Plus Men’s 50m Free (bronze), 65-Plus Men’s 100m Free (bronze)

About Jacobs: Jacobs, who was raised in England, used to be terrified of water, but eventually reached national UK swimming standard. Just 20 months ago he underwent open heart surgery

“I thought it was a pretty good Games. I enjoyed it a lot. I was lucky to be able to compete after last year’s heart surgery.

“I thought it was a very friendly Games. Everybody had a good time and the food was excellent. The high point for me was meeting different people and also bumping into some of the competitors from the previous Games in Fairview.

“I would like to take part in the nationals and also compete in the Strathmore Games in 2015.”

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Name: Bob Lee

Age: 77

Events: Swimming, 75-Plus Men’s 100m free (silver), 75-Plus Men’s 50m Breast (silver), 75-Plus Men’s 100m Breast (silver)

About Lee: Lee, who lives in Barrhead, suffered a serious back injury last year. Swimming, combined with his passion for walking and gardening, has helped him recover

“I am disappointed with myself. I felt I could have swum better, although I was delighted to get three silver medals. I felt a lot of pressure, particularly as I had never done anything like this before.

“I did get a big kick out of the support I received from my family – my wife, kids and grandkids. Usually it is me cheering my grandkids on, so this time the tables were turned and it was a different experience. After the events I felt fine and I took part in the 5km walk on the Sunday.

“I really enjoyed meeting new people and I found the people of Westlock and the volunteers were just wonderful. I could not have asked for anything more.”

•••

Name: LeRoy Barker

Age: 70

Event: Slo-Pitch 70-Plus Men’s (gold)

About Barker: Barker, who lives in Mayerthorpe, played with the St. Albert “Hey U’s”, so-called because of the players’ unfamiliarity with each other

“I was very impressed with the high level of organization by the board of directors and the volunteers. The venues were well prepared, the attendances were good and the quality of meals was outstanding.

“I was impressed by the level of play by the athletes and the display of sportsmanship. I would say we lucked out with the weather. Overall the Games were very successful and Barrhead, Westlock and Clyde should be commended.

“One of the personal highlights was meeting people, including fellow sports enthusiasts.”

•••

Name: Norm Miller

Age: 70

Event: Golf, 65-Plus Men’s Low Gross (gold)

About Miller: Miller, from Barrhead, has golfed for about 50 years, winning the Barrhead Open three times in the 1970s. A retired vice-principal, he plays about 120 rounds of golf a year and has a handicap of 8

“First of all the meals were excellent. It saved me cooking for about three days. I thought John Strand did a good job in organizing and running the golf.

“The Barrhead Golf Club course was in great shape, with the greens playing a little quicker than usual. I think they had been rolled a couple of times. Winning a medal was good and a relief as I had a lot of people supporting me and cheering me on.

“I would like to play in Strathmore in 2015. I’m not sure about the nationals at Sherwood Park. At this time I’m leaning towards going.”

•••

Name: Albert Mast

Event: Golf, 55-Plus Men’s Low Gross (bronze)

About Mast: Mast lives in Neerlandia and is the general manager of Neerlandia Co-op

“I enjoyed myself very much. I was not really prepared for the magnitude of the whole event.

“I thought it was very well organized and I would recommend everybody to take part in such an occasion, whether as a volunteer, participant or spectator. It was a wonderful event.

“Personally, my second day of golf was a highlight. I didn’t strike the ball well on the first day, but that’s just golf. Some days it is a friendly game, other days it isn’t. I though the course was in exquisite shape and I take my hat off to the ground crew for all the work they did. The greens were true and quick.

“My only regret is that I did not get to see all the other activities.”

•••

Name: Steve Zunti

Event: Slo-Pitch 55-Plus Co-Ed (placed 5th)

About Zunti: Organizer of the Blue Heron Fairs Day ball tournament and treasurer of the Barrhead and District Agrena Society. He has played slo-pitch 24 years

“It was well organized. Everything was run according to schedule and went very smoothly. The weather was pretty decent too.

“I thought the diamonds were in great shape and had been drained well. We even won one game, which was good. We had quite a bit of fan support, which was nice to see, although I’m sure we disappointed them in a few games. One of the things we could have done better was manage our line-up. We probably didn’t implement it early enough.

“The camaraderie between the teams off the diamond was great, we had lots of fun.”

•••

Name: Bessie Stevens

Event: Golf, 75-Plus Women’s Callaway (bronze)

About Stevens: Stevens, from Fort Assiniboine, had competed in three previous provincials: at Olds/Didsbury, Lethbridge and Fort McMurray. Her husband John, 84, was entering the provincials for the first time and also won a bronze medal in the 75-plus Men’s Callaway

“I thought it was well organized. The Games were very good publicity for Barrhead. I was surprised at the number of people from down south that did not know we were here. People also could not believe how beautiful our course is.

“Everybody seemed very, very impressed with Barrhead and Westlock. We were already on the map, but the Games really put us on the map.

“It was wonderful to win a medal and bear in mind it was the first time my husband had entered the provincials. The medals are very special to us.”

•••

Name: George Visser

Age: 78 (77 during the Games)

Event: Golf, 75-Plus Men’s Low Gross (silver)

About Visser: Visser competed in Airdrie two years and just missed out on a medal. He has been playing golf for about 40 years and his current handicap is 12. It has been as low as eight or nine.

“I take my hat off to all the volunteers, who did a wonderful job. All the comments I’ve received have been very positive.

“People loved the golf course and were also very impressed with the Town of Barrhead. It seems like Barrhead and Westlock worked together very well. I was at the golf course today and the parking lot was full, so may be that is a result of the Games. Maybe we are getting noticed.

“I should add the food was excellent at the Games, there was plenty of variety, which made my wife very happy. As for my medal, I was delighted to get a silver.”

•••

Name: Jacquie Gross

Age: 70

Events: Quilted small articles (silver), Quilted holiday crafts (bronze)

About Gross: As president of the Barrhead Country Quilters club, Gross is no stranger to the art of quilting. This year marked the first time the avid quilter participated in the Alberta 55 Plus summer Games.

“I just wanted to participate and find out what these games were all about. I was curious to see the calibre of workmanship that was entered.

“I thought everything was very well organized. It was an interesting experience and I hope to encourage more people to participate in the future. It’s a way of bringing Albertans together. It’s not so much about the competition, but it’s about sharing and getting to know people from other parts of the province, and seeing what they’re doing.

“I enjoyed the arts and culture being recognized and being included in the Games.”

•••

Name: Art and Norma Brand

Events: Floor Curling 70+ Open Team (gold)

About the Brands: Art and Norma have been floor curling for just six years. Their partners in the Games, Bert and Mary Dube, had participated before. However this was the Brand’s first time taking part in a provincial competition.

“I enjoyed it. I enjoyed coming home with gold. The Games were pretty well run. The volunteers did a very good job. I’ve got no complaints there at all.” - Art

“It was overwhelming. The meals, the people, the volunteers, it was just something huge. We were treated so well at the opening ceremonies and the closing, it was just remarkable.

“All the floor curlers were new, we hadn’t played against them before. They came from all over the province, so that was super. People don’t realize what a huge event that was. Being with Westlock and Barrhead, it was spectacular.”

- Norma