Let the 2023 Florida Senior Games, presented by Humana, Begin
The FSG daily wrapup, courtesy of Silver Sneakers
It was only fitting the phrase, “Let the Games Begin,” was proclaimed at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano at the Ribbon Cutting of the 2023 Florida Senior Games, presented by Humana.
Fitting since the facility will be in use for nine days of Tennis and Pickleball, the longest stretch of days, during the 32nd Annual Florida Senior Games.
Besides the welcome remarks by local and state dignitaries, there was tennis being played on four courts, including a match between the two most experienced athletes of the competition.
From the family namesake of the facility, Todd Vande Berg, to Senator Danny Burgess, who represents District 23 and lives in a nearby neighborhood of the facility, to Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, a collegiate Tennis player at Stetson University and Jack Mariano, who will be playing golf on Monday, there was a lot to celebrate.
Meanwhile on a nearby court, 90-year old Pat Bentz, of Sebring, and 89-year old Cheng Hung, of The Villages, volleyed a few points back and forth, in a match won by Hung.
Bentz, who has been playing in the Florida Senior Games since 2013, is only the eighth athlete age 90 and over to play tennis in the Games. Hung has been the 85-89 age group gold medalist in four of the last five years.
Tennis continues with Men’s and Women’s Singles through Sunday, followed by Men’s and Women’s Doubles on Monday and Tuesday and Mixed Doubles on Wednesday. Pickleball starts four days of action on Wednesday, December 6 and continues through Saturday, December 9.
The 2023 Florida Senior Games features nearly 2,000 athletes, age 50 and over, in competition in 21 sports in Florida’s Sports Coast and other locations.
On Saturday, nine sports will be in action in six locations.
Schedule for Saturday, December 2
Cycling (20K/40K) – San Antonio Elementary School, Dade City; 8:00 a.m. start time
Archery – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel; 9:00 a.m. start time
Basketball Shooting – Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel; 9:00 a.m. start time
Racquetball – David Posnack Jewish Community Center, Davie; 9:00 a.m. start time
Tennis (M/W Singles) – Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, Zephyrhills; 9:00 a.m. start time
Volleyball (Women)– Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel; 9:00 a.m. start time
Swimming – Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex; 10:00 a.m. start time
Basketball 3 on 3-Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, Wesley Chapel; 1:00 p.m. start time
Bowling (M/W and Mixed Doubles) – Pin Chasers, Zephyrhills; 1:00 p.m. start time
The 2023 Florida Senior Games is an annual program of the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization of the State of Florida, presented in conjunction with Florida’s Sports Coast and Silver Sneakers.