CHARLES TWEED
Ponoka athletes returned home from the Alberta 55 Plus Winter Games with some extra baggage.
Linda Seitz was the big winner, grabbing top spot in the 55 plus scratch bowling competition.
Carolyn Macaulay and Jo Harbin — who teamed up with Diane Stewart and Sharyn Pahl from Lacombe — took second in the curling division.
“We were just hoping to curl well and not be last and we were totally thrilled to make the gold medal game. It was the first time for all us at the games and it was great fun, very well organized and we’re going to try to go again,” said Macaulay.
Mary Ghitter and Allen Stacey won the silver medal in the duplicate bridge division of the games.
Wayne Gee finished fourth in the 70 plus hockey tournament.
Frieda Hoffman tied for third in the women’s 70 plus scratch bowling competition. Tied with four others, Hoffman was awarded fifth after the roll-off.
Jim Lafond, Paul Pilon and Jack Surbey rounded out the 11 athletes from Ponoka, finishing sixth in the 55 plus hockey tournament.
More than 1,000 participants from across Alberta competed in 13 sport and recreation activities. The event also relied on nearly 750 volunteers to help feed, transport and host participants.
Zone 4 finished fourth among the eight zones competing at the games, with eight gold medals, 11 silver and six bronze.