MANCHESTER, NH – The JFK Memorial Coliseum in downtown Manchester was the scene as Shuffleboard players from across the region battled it out in the 2017 NH Senior Games (NHSG) Shuffleboard Tournament on Thursday, July 20th.
“Shuffleboard is a great sport,” said event organizer Larry Flint. “It’s both fun and competitive.” Mr. Flint, who also competes in the event along with other sports, has been a Senior Games volunteer and board member for nearly 30 years.
86-year-old Charlie Houser was among the competitors. The Manchester resident participates in a number of Senior Games events and is former chair of the NHSG board. “I enjoy the game a lot,” he said. “You can play both offense and defense and you are constantly having to change strategy.”
Cheryle Laffey from Tewksbury, MA took part in the event as did her husband, John. She began playing the sport just a year ago, but quickly became a convert. “The competition is fun and the friends you make on the court is why I play,” said the 72-year-old. “and if someone is thinking of trying the sport, I encourage them to give it a try.”
Concord’s Roger Stevens, 78, has been playing Shuffleboard for over a decade and is a veteran of many NH Senior Games competitions and has competed in National Senior Games events in Texas and California, among other states. Mr. Stevens, who also competes in Horseshoes, enjoys the competition and the off-court camaraderie. “You make friends in this game,” he said. “It’s fun to re-connect with fellow athletes at the events. I’ve been playing against some of these people for many years and look forward to seeing them.”
2017 NHSG Shuffleboard Tournament Results:
Male Category
60-64 age group
Gold Medal: Paul Yankowskas, Londonderry
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: John Laffey, Tewksbury, MA
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Brad Topolewski, Penacook
Silver Medal: Paul Ayotte, The Villages, FL
Bronze Medal: Larry Flint, Newport
75-79 age group
Gold Medal: Roger Stevens, Concord
Silver Medal: Dave Baldessari, Candia
80-84 age group
Gold Medal: Ed Brooks, Salem
Silver Medal: Andy Boudreau, Manchester
85-89 age group
Gold Medal: Charlie Houser, Manchester
Female Category
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Claire Boucher, Manchester
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Cheryle Laffey, Tewksbury, MA
85-89 age group
Gold Medal: Gloria Benjamin, Goffstown
Open Doubles
65-69 age group
Gold Medal: Cheryle Laffey/John Laffey, Tewksbury, MA
70-74 age group
Gold Medal: Roger Stevens, Concord & Brad Topolewski, Penacook
Silver Medal: Paul Ayotte, The Villages, FL & Larry Flint, Newport
75-79 age group
Gold Medal: Dave Baldessari, Candia & Ed Brooks, Salem
85-89 age group
Gold Medal: Gloria Benjamin, Goffstown & Charlie Houser, Manchester
Next up:
The 2017 NH Senior Games Pickleball Tournament
July 28 – 30
Executive Health and Sports Center, Manchester
The 2017 New Hampshire Senior Games continue through Labor Day and receive support from major sponsor Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Supporting sponsors include: John Castelot Financial Planning, Lamprey Health Care and Havenwood Heritage Heights. To learn more or register for upcoming events, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.
About the New Hampshire Senior Games
The mission of the New Hampshire Senior Games (NHSG), formerly known as the Granite State Senior Games (GSSG) is to promote, organize and effectively develop physical challenges, as they relate to the NH Senior Games Athlete and the 50+ population of the state of New Hampshire, undertake related activities benefitting the well-being of adults as appropriate and focusing on the development of active and healthy lifestyles. Our mission is accomplished by encouraging fitness and by providing athletic competition in a variety of sports, clinics and creative pursuits.
Founded in 1987, Granite State Senior Games, Inc. is a not-for-profit (501c-3) all volunteer sports and fitness organization governed by a Board of Directors. The Granite State Senior Games’ (GSSG’s) sporting events are now known as the New Hampshire Senior Games (NHSG). We are New Hampshire’s premier multi-sport event for the 50+ population. NHSG is the only New Hampshire organization in the state to be sanctioned by the National Senior Games Association (NSGA) to qualify senior athletes for participation in the National Senior Games held every two years. To learn more, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.
