HAMLET — Ida Malloy said she never would have had the opportunity to travel to some of the places she’s been if it wasn’t for the Senior Games.
Malloy told her story Thursday to fellow participants during the opening ceremony in the student center at Richmond Community College.
“It’s fun because you meet different people,” Malloy said.
The first time she went to the games in Houston, Texas, Malloy said she saw a 50-year-old man log 20 feet in the long jump.
Malloy added that participants in nationals come from all over the world, not just the United States.
She’s also competed in other states, including Minnesota and Alabama, and took third place in discus throwing in Pennsylvania.
Co-coordinator Theressa Smith said several grants were applied for and awarded, which paid for the addition of new bocce ball courts, cornhole boards, cheerleader uniforms and other items for the games.
“We’re trying to make this bigger and better … to show you how important you are to this community,” Smith said.
The 2025 Senior Games of Richmond County kicked off Friday with billiards for men and women at the East Rockingham Senior Center and will continue through early May, with the closing ceremony May 9 at Cole Auditorium.
Smith said the decision was made to expand the games from two weeks to four to give seniors an opportunity to compete in as many events as they want.
Most of the locations are across Richmond County — including Browder Park, Hinson Lake, Hamlet Depot, Memorial Park, Richmond Senior High and the local senior centers — however the golf competition will be held at Deercroft in Wagram and bowling will be in Laurinburg.
The following Richmond County residents won medals in the 2024 state games:
Gold - Patrica Clemmons, Richard Lassister, J. Michael Malloy, Jimmy Tarlton and Ida Malloy
Silver - Pamela Carpenter, Tia Chick, Patricia Clemmons, Bob Dotson, Mark Long and Ida Malloy
Bronze - Pamela Carpenter, Patricia Clemmons, Kristal Gomiller, Hazel Haywood, Stephanie Hudson, Patricia Hyde, Cheryl Johnson, Robin Kapp, Mary Kidd, Gwen Lanning, Richard Lassiter, Deborah Leviner, Angelika Liles, Lorie Locklear, Mark Long, Audrey Richardson, Angela Romaine,Amy Sellers, Lisa Thomas, Kim Watts, Jonathan Wright and Lisa Yates
All state medal winners are eligible to compete in the national Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa.
