Bowled Over!
Area athletes strike gold at New Hampshire Senior Games Candlepin Bowling Tournament
Manchester, NH: Star bowlers from across New Hampshire battled for state supremacy in the 2017 NH Senior Games Candlepin Bowling Tournament, held Friday June 30th at Lakeside Lanes in Manchester.
Among the many stand-outs was Fred LaFontaine of Concord. “I very much enjoy the sport,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun and keeps the blood flowing.” Mr. LaFontaine, who will turn 90 years old this fall, captured a gold medal. An avid bowler, he has competed in the games for the past three years. Later this summer, Mr. LaFontaine will team with 89-year-old Gloria Benjamin of Goffstown in mixed doubles at the Pickleball Tournament.
Participating in the NH Senior Games for the first time ever was Christina Gaudet-Pelletier. The 68-year-old Concord resident won a gold medal in the 65-69 age category. “This really is a fun sport,” she said. “I enjoy the competition and meeting new people. This is a sport that everyone should try.” Ms. Gaudet-Pelletier, a retired fitness instructor, picked up the sport a couple of years ago when urged by her clients to try it.
Also in his first NH Senior Games was Fern Bissonette of Allenstown. At 71 years old, the tall left-hander finished outside of the medal round but enjoyed the event nonetheless. “Being active in this sport keeps you young,” he said. “Particularly with candlepin, it takes lot of concentration.”
Medal Winners for the 2017 NH Senior Games Candlepin Bowling Tournament included:
55-59: Gold Medal-Tom Duyette, Manchester
65-69 (Men’s): Gold Medal-Mike Gillis, Rochester; Silver Medal – Paul Kelly, Portsmouth
65-69 (Women’s): Gold Medal – Christine Gaudet-Pelletier, Concord; Silver Medal- Dianne Ameen, Portsmouth
70-74 (Men’s): Gold Medal -Dave Main, Portsmouth; Silver Medal-Dick Kiley, Manchester; Bronze Medal-Dick Clement, Weare
70-74 (Women’s): Gold Medal – Rose Kimball, Epsom; Silver Medal -Virginia King, Webster
75-79 (Men’s): Gold Medal – Bob Jeffers, Strafford; Silver Medal-Harold Turner, Nashua; Bronze Medal-Dave Baldessari, Candia
75-79 (Women’s): Gold Medal-Rita Gonyer, Bow; Silver Medal-Geri O’Brien, Pittsfield
80-84 (Men’s): Gold Medal- Lou Griebel, Nashua; Silver Medal -Dave Gazaway, Gilmanton; Bronze Medal – Ed Brooks, Salem
85-89 (Men’s): Gold Medal-Charles Macomber, Bow; Silver Medal -Larry Gonyer, Bow
85-89 (Women’s): Gold Medal-Irene Bigelow, Concord; Silver Medal -Millie Becker, Chichester; Bronze Medal -Gloria Benjamin, Goffstown
90-94 (Men’s): Gold Medal-Fred LaFontaine, Concord
The overall high scorers were Dave Main (318) and Rose Kimball (291)
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.
About the New Hampshire Senior Games
The mission of the Granite State Senior Games, Inc. (GSSG) is to promote, organize and effectively develop physical challenges, as they relate to the New Hampshire senior 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 501(c)(3) and New Hampshire Registered Public Charity all volunteer sports and fitness organization governed by a Board of Directors. The Granite State Senior Games' (GSSG's) sporting events are 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 other year in odd-numbered years. To learn more, please visit www.nhseniorgames.org.