Polk Senior Games Registration Starts in January

It's time to request an entry book to enter the 28th Annual Polk Senior Games scheduled for Feb. 29 to March 16. The Games offer a two-week series of 100 athletic and recreational Olympic-style events. They attract over 2,500 men and women, 50 years and over, with a variety of skills - the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health and wellness, an active lifestyle, and volunteerism.

Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Archery, Badminton, Bag Toss (cornhole), Basketball Shooting, Basketball 3 on 3, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Bridge - Party, Checkers, Chess, Cribbage, Ballroom and Social Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Golf 18 Hole Singles & Mixed Doubles and Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pepper, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Punt Pass Kick, Racquetball, Road Race 5K, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Shooting – Pistol, Rifle, Skeet, Sporting Clays and Trap, Shuffleboard, Softball, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, and Walking. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each event and age division.

Registration begins the first week of January. The individual entry fee is $10 for the first event and $3 for each additional event up to a maximum of $28. Fees for team sports are $125 for Softball, $36 for Team Bowling, $50 for Basketball 3 on 3. There is also a facility fee for 18-Hole Golf, Bowling, Archery and Shooting. Everyone receives a specially designed T-shirt. A free Closing Celebration for participants, family and friends is held at the RP Funding Center and includes goody bags, health fair, entertainment, special awards, and door prizes.

The Games are financially sponsored by Gold and Founding Sponsor - Publix Super Markets Charities; Silver Sponsor – Homer and Annette Thompson Legacy; Bronze Sponsors - James W. Sikes Family, CPS Investment Advisors, Humana + Best Value Healthcare. Special Event Sponsors are: Track and Opening Ceremony – Julie and Chip Watkins and Closing Celebration – The Estates At Carpenters. Also many other sponsors and financial and in-kind contributors to the Games.

Polk Senior Games is a non-profit organization sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation to qualify participants for advancement to the annual Florida Senior Games, which leads to the bi-annual National Senior Games.

To request an entry or for more information contact Deena Wilbur, Executive Director, Polk Senior Games, 515 E Boulevard St, Bartow, FL 33830, 863-533-0055, or [email protected].