By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
Though many things have been lost due to a year of COVID-19 regulations, Director Amy Bradshaw and her board at Mesquite Senior Games have diligently worked to plan a full year of seasonal events for 2021 that are compliant with regulations. All of these preparations are just in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mesquite Senior Games organization.
“It was out of the question to have our regular games as we usually would have done,” Bradshaw said.
“But for our 20th anniversary it was important to us to go forward. So we have just planned a series of stand-alone, mostly outdoor events.”
Bradshaw said that now is the time to sign up for the organization’s lineup of Spring events. Registration for the spring season is going on now. To register, go to www.seniorgames.org or call 702-345-3347.
The first event in the spring lineup is Senior Bowling which will take place on March 27. This is a very popular event. Bradshaw said that the afternoon tournaments for this event were filled up on the second day of registration. But morning spots at 9:00 am are still open. The Event Director for Senior Bowling is Toni Gans, who can be reached at 235-350-5689
On Mar. 27 and Mar. 31, Mesquite Senior Games will host a Senior Fitness Walk. This 4-mile hike will pass through some of the beautiful, scenic desert landscape around Mesquite. The hikes will begin at 8 am each day. The event director for the hikes is Clint Bostwick at 702-350-5689
A senior golf tournament will take place on April 5-6. The morning of April 5 will have putting competition at the Conestoga golf course. An afternoon long drive competition will be held at the Mesquite Sports Center.
Then on the April 6, the morning competition will be “Closest to the Pin” at the Oasis golf course. In the afternoon Canyons course will host the front 9-hole competition. Awards will be given out at the Oasis Grill Room.
A Women’s Soft Ball Tournaments will be held on April 10-11. This will be offered only one weekend because of the Easter holiday. The age 50-59 division will play in Las Vegas. The 60 and above division will play in Mesquite. The softball event coordinator is Connie Stewart at 702-275-3937
A series of History Tours will take place at 9 am daily on April 14-17 The walking tours will begin at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum. Museum coordinator, Elspeth Kuta will conduct the one-hour, two-mile tours, with a maximum of 10 people per tour.
MSG will be teaming up with the City in hosting a community Cornhole Competition on April 17 at the Mesquite Rec Center. This event will be open to all ages and is planned as a family event. There will be a competitive Division and a non-competitive Division. A BBQ lunch is included in the registration fee and will be provided by the Mesquite Fire Department. Event coordinators for this event are Shaun Edwards at 760-217-9312, and Beth Caplinger at 209-663-2915
A target pistol and shotgun competition will be held on April 23-24 at the Smokin Gun Club in Littlefield, AZ. Competition will include skeet, trap and clay shooting. There is an 8 am starting time. The event coordinator is Jason Shaw at 970-623-6503
A horseshoe tossing competition will be held on April 30-May 1 at the Rising Star. Singles tournament will take place on April 30 with doubles tournament going on the following day. Lathan Dilge at 435-691-3857 along with Sandy Tudor at 209-663-2951.
The city of Mesquite, Sun City, Mesquite Gaming, Eureka Resort and Rising Star Sports Center are all major sponsors and supporters of the Senior Games.
Bradshaw said that Mesquite is fortunate to have so many great venues to hold these events.
“Without these incredible venues generously offered to us for our events, Mesquite Senior Games could not exist,” she said. “So even though 2021 will pose some challenges, our awesome team of supporters is going to give us much to celebrate in our 20th year.”
Bradshaw added that the organization is planning a huge re-launch for its fall season. This will include all of the regular sporting events MSG is known for.
“Moving forward we are planning two full seasons every year!” Bradshaw said. “So our seniors will have two opportunities to show us what they’ve got!”
