
Over the next two days, more than 200 senior citizens from nine counties — aged from the 50’s to the 90’s — will be scrambling around the Hopkinsville Sportsplex, taking part in the 38th Annual Pennyrile Senior Games.
A spry Pam Rudd has, in some capacity, worked every one of them.
A retired educator and coach with a Sportsplex Court named in her honor, she’s 77 years old with not a spare moment to compete herself — because she’s too busy working.
This is her 54th year associated and employed with Hopkinsville Parks & Recreation, and she’s seen these games grow into a stable, successful event — known not just for its antique athletes, but its camaraderie and socialization.
Every fall, Rudd said many return to challenge themselves and catch up with others in the region.
And that’s her favorite part.
That was Clina Mae West Norfleet, who at 99 died this past June — just six days from her 100th birthday. According to her obituary, she remained active after her retirement, working part-time for BB&T Bank and taking classes at Hopkinsville Community College, while pursuing piano, guitar, and art lessons. Along with being a volunteer with Hopkinsville Historical Society, Nature Fest, Take a Kid Fishing, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and PACS, she was honored as the oldest Senior Games participant for five straight years from 2019-24.
The windows of competition are five-year windows, 50-to-54 and so on, up to as far as entries go, and Monday was a soft opening for doubles pickleball, bowling at Southern Lanes and four holes of disc golf — more than 30 men and women in attendance.
Rudd said Tuesday and Wednesday are much bigger, as regional senior citizens centers will bus folks in for festivities, but she noted there’s always room to grow — and they are always looking for suggestions of fun challenges. Pickleball, she added, was put in the rotation after the global pandemic — a clear sign of its sweeping popularity.
Registration, check in and free health screenings will begin at 7 AM Tuesday, before an opening ceremony really kicks things off at 8:15 AM. Remaining events include a one-mile walk, cornhole toss, softball throws, washer toss, disc throws, BINGO, croquet, lawn bowling and shuffleboard, as well as the addition of two new events: indoor horseshoes and a basketball shooting challenge.