2015 Florida Senior Games Facts, Athletes and Schedule Information
EVENT: 2015 Florida Senior Games, the 24th Annual Games, is an Olympic-style competition for athletes age 50 and over. The Florida Senior Games is a program of the Florida Sports Foundation, which serves as the state’s lead organization in promoting and developing Florida’s Sports Industry.
COMPETITION DATES: Saturday, December 5 through Sunday, December 13, 2015.
LOCATIONS: Competition for 24 sports and events will be held at various sites throughout Pinellas County. This is the first time the Games will be held in the Clearwater area. The 2016 Florida Senior Games will also be held in Pinellas County
EXPECTED TO COMPETE: Approximately 2,000 senior athletes are expected to compete in the 2015 Games.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Online Registration is open for all sports at www.floridaseniorgames.com. Registration deadline is November 20 and entry fees vary by sport. As of November 8, nearly 1,000 athletes have registered to compete.
FLORIDA SENIOR GAMES STORYLINES FOR 2015
The 2015 Florida Senior Games has been sanctioned as an “Official Centennial Event,” of the City of Clearwater’s celebration of its 100th birthday. The Clearwater Centennial commemoration is a year of celebration, reflection, and newfound appreciation of Clearwater’s most important cultural and historical treasures. Florida Senior Games is an ideal event to have associated with the Centennial and we look forward to working with you in the coming months.
Marcus and Diane Bock are gold-medal winning Pickleball athletes from The Villages, not only individually, but as a mixed doubles team. They also double as fitness trainers and are a perfect example active seniors.
Claudette Braswell, a multi-sport athlete from Lake Wales, competes in bag toss, basketball shooting, horseshoes and racquetball. Because of her dedication to staying active, she was named the 2007 Female Athlete of the Year. With her pleasant and outgoing personality, members of the Florida Senior Games consider her a second grandmother.
Joan Campbell is a well-known U.S. Masters Swimmer who begins each day at the Clearwater Long Center Pool. Campbell has over 700 top 10 finishes and 14 Individual and 11 Relay All America listings in Masters Swimming listed on the USMS.org website. Besides her swimming accolades, she was awarded the 2007 Dorothy Donnelly Service Award for her years as Florida’s Senior Games Liaison and other volunteer activities that further U.S. Masters swimming.
Madelaine “Tiny” Cazel, is a record-setting track and field athlete, on a state and national level, from The Villages, who is currently using the Florida Senior Games as motivator as she deals with the declining health of her husband. Cazel was named the 2003 Florida Senior Games Female Athlete of the Year and has participated in Track and Field and played softball. She holds state records in the 70-74 and 75-79 age groups in the 800 meter run, shot put, discus, javelin and long jump. She has set a goal for herself to compete in the 2017 National Senior Games in the 80-84 age group.
Cheryl Cherry is a Tampa cyclist who rides her bike for Charity Miles where Bikers earn up to 10¢ per mile. Her latest rides, posted on Twitter, have been for The Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.
Essie Faria, is a multi-sport athlete from North Miami, who is talented in table tennis, pickleball, road races and track and field events. She competed in several different events at the 2015 National Senior Games and is known for “trying any sport once.” She even ran a 10K Road Race in 2009 when she had never attempted to run six miles before the race.
Len Ferman, is a local senior games advocate from Jacksonville and track and field athlete, who published article in Runner’s World about his goal and training to run a sub-five minute mile at the age of 50. Ferman can also be found at various events in Jacksonville doing juggling shows and is an expert joggler, who does juggling routines while jogging.
Chris Germain, of Bartow, is a current Florida Senior Games swimmer and the mother and wife of Sunshine State Games judo gold medalists. For years, she volunteered at the Sunshine State Games in a variety of roles as her husband and daughters competed. She began swimming in the Senior Games in 2014 and traveled to the National Senior Games this summer.
Adam Goldstein, a distance runner from Miami, is also the Chief Operating Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Besides competing in the 1,500 meter run, he is a talented table tennis player. He is on a personal mission to encourage high level executives, like himself, to compete in activities like the Florida Senior Games. Following his performance in the National Senior Games last summer, he achieved All-American status for his performance at the USATF Masters National Championships in Jacksonville.
James Harden, an archer from Davis is quite possibly the most interesting man in the Florida Senior Games. Sporting a long beard and colorful clothing, Harden is easy to find on the course. He’s quick to offer tips to other archers, or even a playful jab. At the 2011 Florida Senior Games, he posted the highest Senior Games score in the 900 round with an 891, missing a perfect mark by only three arrows.
Deb Harrison is a multi-gold medal winning pickleball player from The Villages, who may be able to stake the claim one of as the best female player in the state. Harrison even offers lessons in The Villages to prospective opponents and is also a gold medal winning table tennis player.
Bill Hennessey is an English professor at Florida International University who also doubles as the Powerlifting team coach. He will compete in the 2015 Florida Senior Games and he and his teenage daughter competed in the 2015 Sunshine State Games in Palm Beach County.
Ronnie Lakatos and Broward Heat Ladies Basketball team are an up and comer in Senior Games Basketball. The team is made up of Broward County ladies who have a background in recreation and sports. Team members work for the Broward Parks and Recreation Department, are high school coaches and officials. The team has medaled at the last two National Senior Games.
Andy McGuffin is a Florida Senior Games staple, from Umatilla, who is now competing in the 90-94 age group. Since 1994, McGuffin has hit more than 90% of his free throws. Opponents have been known to claim, “when Andy is in the Games, everyone else is shooting for a silver medal.” He was also a member of the National Senior Games gold medal winning team, the Magic Seniors for many years.
Mary Northrup, is a legally blind bowler who has competed in the last six Florida Senior Games in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. She judges her distance from the gutter, and since she cannot see the impact of the ball to pins, she uses her other senses such as sound.
Richard Rawls is a cyclist from Plant city, who faced serious health problems before deciding to live a healthy lifestyle that included Florida Senior Games competitions. At age 64, eh found himself with high blood pressure and on medication. He decided to ride for exercise. At first a quarter of a mile was a long ride but I stayed with it. He kept riding and going further and further up to five miles and was felt better with each ride and looked forward to riding. He is no longer taking blood pressure medicine and is a Florida Senior Games regular and healthier than ever.
James and Stan Tredway, are a father and son shuffleboard doubles team from Lakeland. James had played for years and he and his wife talked Stan into playing as well. He now admits he not only enjoys the competition and fellowship of the Florida Senior Games, but it also gives him “quality time with his dad.”
2015 Florida Senior Games
Daily Schedule of Events – Times listed are check in times
Saturday, December 5
Racquetball – Richey Racquet, 7:30 a.m.
Team Bowling (Mixed Teams) – Seminole Lanes, 8:00 a.m.
Shuffleboard (Singles) – Clearwater Lawn Bowls & Shuffleboard Complex, 8:00 a.m.
Tennis (Singles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Volleyball – The Long Center, 8:00 a.m.
Archery – Joe Dimaggio Park, 8:30 a.m.
Swimming – The Long Center, 9:00 a.m.
Bowling (Doubles, Mixed Doubles) – Seminole Lanes, 12 Noon
Sunday, December 6
Racquetball – Richey Racquet, 7:30 a.m.
Bowling (Singles) – Seminole Lanes, 8:00 a.m.
Shuffleboard (Singles) – Clearwater Lawn Bowls & Shuffleboard Complex, 8:00 a.m.
Tennis (Singles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Volleyball – The Long Center, 8:00 a.m.
Swimming – The Long Center, 9:00 a.m.
Team Bowling (M/W Teams) – Seminole Lanes, 12 Noon
Monday, December 7
Table Tennis (50-69 age groups) – The Long Center, 8:00 a.m.
Tennis (Doubles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, December 8
Golf (M/W 18 & 36 holes) – Innisbrook Resort, Tee Times
Table Tennis (70+ age groups) – The Long Center, 8:00 a.m.
Tennis (Doubles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 9
Golf (36 holes) – Innisbrook Resort, Tee Times
Lawn Bowls – Clearwater Lawn Bowls & Shuffleboard Complex, 8:00 a.m.
Tennis (Mixed Doubles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, December 10
Tennis (Mixed Doubles) – Innisbrook Resort, 8:00 a.m.
Cycling (Time Trials) – Fort Desoto Park, 9:00 a.m.
Friday, December 11
Pickleball (Singles) – The Long Center, 7:30 a.m.
Horseshoes – Ed C. Wright Park, 8:00 a.m.
Billiards (Nine Ball) – Strokers, 8:00 a.m.
Saturday, December 12
Pickleball (Mixed Doubles) – The Long Center, 7:30 a.m.
Powerlifting – Innisbrook Resort, 7:30 a.m.
5K Road Race, Race Walk & Power Walk – John Chestnut Sr. Park, 7:30 a.m.
Tai Chi – Clearwater YMCA, 7:30 a.m.
Track & Field (Field Events) – Clearwater High School, 7:30 a.m.
Billiards (Eight Ball Singles) – Strokers, 8:00 a.m.
Basketball Shooting – North Greenwood Recreation Center, 8:00 a.m.
Cycling (Road Races) – City of Oldsmar, 8:30 a.m.
Croquet – Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, 9:00 a.m.
Bag Toss – The Long Center, 10:00 a.m.
Basketball 3-on-3 – North Greenwood Recreation Center, 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13
Pickleball – The Long Center, 7:30 a.m.
Basketball 3-on-3 – North Greenwood Recreation Center, 8:00 a.m.
Billiards – Strokers, 8:00 a.m.
Track & Field (Track Events & 1500m Race Walk) – Clearwater High School, 8:30 a.m.
Croquet – Jack Russell Memorial Stadium, 9:00 a.m.
