Local longtime golfer Gladys Groat captured second place and a silver medal at the Canadian Seniors’ Games held Aug. 24 to 28 in Brockville, Ontario.
The Stettler golfer finished second in women’s 75-79 division scoring in the Calloway system.
“It was a close competition,” said Groat, 75 years young.
“There’s always competition and it puts pressure on you.”
This was the second time she competed at the Canadian Seniors’ Games, previously playing at the national event in 1998 in Medicine Hat.
A longtime member of Stettler Golf Club, she qualified for the recent national games as the Alberta representative after she qualified at the 2009 Alberta 55-Plus Summer Games in Airdrie where she shot a hole-in-one.
Players had to be on the top of their games on Smugglers’ Glen Golf Course, rated as the number-one public golf course in Ontario.
“Their fairways were like our greens, as smooth as a pane of glass,” said Groat.
“Super-fast greens were a challenge for all golfers.”
Taking up the sport of golf since she was in her 40s, she has become passionate about the sport.
“I loved it from the start,” said Groat.
“You’re playing against yourself – different from team sports.”
As an avid golfer and curler, she values physical activity for all people and those with many years of life.
After she started to compete in provincial seniors’ competitions in 1990, she served with Alberta 55-Plus as activity director for the central zone from 2001 to 2009 and membership chair for zone from 2001 until spring 2010.
“I decided to retire to compete,” said Groat.
“I’ve always enjoyed the competition.”
She further encourages other seniors to experience these recreational and cultural events provincially.
Future provincial events include the Alberta 55-Plus Winter Games from February 24 to 27, 2011 in St. Albert and the Alberta 55-Plus Summer Games in July 2011 in Fairview.