By Sarah MacMillanContributor
Golfing used to be something that Inky Whalley only did on vacation, but after moving to Chase she became more involved in the sport.
“I’ve always liked the outdoors, and my husband and I used to take the clubs on vacation. Then we moved to Chase and got involved,” said Whalley. “Plus, I live by the golf course.”
Whalley first entered the B.C. Seniors games held in Kelowna. She has now also participated in the ones that were held in Prince George, Chilliwack, Surrey and Castlegar. And there is a reason she keeps going back.
“The senior games is about meeting new people and having a good time,” said Whalley.
She also became involved as the zone eight golf co-ordinator four years ago, meaning that while participating in the games herself, she also makes posters, phones those who participated the previous year and books the golf courses if needed.
Each zone in B.C. can send two men and two women per age category per division, and no more than 12 men and 12 women can compete per division. Within the golf there are four divisions: Women Division “A” for golfers who have an index of 0-24.3; Women Division “B” for golfers who have an index of 24.4-40.4; men’s division “A” for golfers with an index of 0-20.0 and men’s division “B” for golfers with an index of 20.1-36.4.
Although there are limitations to the number of people who can participate in golf, the co-ordinators do try to give everyone the chance to compete.
“We try not to refuse anyone,” said Whalley.
Golfers at the Games play in a 36-hole stroke event, meaning that two rounds of golf are played at 18 hole golf courses and the number of strokes taken at each hole are counted.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are then awarded to the golfers with the lowest net score and lowest gross score in each of the different categories.
However, for Whalley it’s not about placing.
“The B.C. Seniors games, to me, if you get a medal that’s a bonus. It’s really about meeting new people, having fun and two days of good golfing,” says Whalley, noting she looks at the games as part of her recreation.
“I love being outside, and at the level I’m golfing, I just love the friendships.”
For more information about golfing or if you would like to compete in the B.C. seniors games contact Inky Whalley by phone at 250-679-8723 or by email at biwhalley@cablelan.net, or visit the B.C Seniors Games website www.bcseniorsgames.org.
The 2013 BC Seniors Games will be held Aug. 20 to 24 in Kamloops, The Tournament Capital of Canada.
The city is expecting more than 3,500 athletes to attend the Games.
With the Games in Kamloops, a large increase of members is expected. You need only be 55+ and, with 26 activities, there is something for everyone to participate in. Some events will require playoffs, with curling as early as February and others taking place in April or May.
You need to become a member and pay a registration fee first. Since the number of participants determines whether or not a playoff is needed, you need to make you interest known early.
The BC Seniors Games Society is a volunteer non-profit society funded by the provincial government in co-operation with the BC Games Society, which event manages the Games.
For general information or results of past Games you can go to the website: www.bcseniorsgames.org.
