By Breven Honda

The Mesquite Senior Games is always looking for volunteers to ensure the success of their events. Now, the non-profit organization is searching for new board members.

President Sandy Tudor has lost five members in the last four months.

Lone Stephens putts during competition at the Mesquite Senior Games. (Submitted photo)

“We now have some openings on the board, that it is 100% volunteer position, but we welcome all inquiries into being a member of the board,” Tudor said. “We’re looking for like-minded people to help as a member of the board.”

Tudor and the rest of the cabinet are looking for members to round out their Board that will be active and present for events.

“Board meetings are scheduled and determined by the board, generally monthly, but at least quarterly,” Tudor said. “They’re generally involved in all of the events, either serving as a volunteer if they choose, or if they choose to be an event director.”

They have been reaching out in different ways to potentially acquire new board members. Tudor is putting a letter for the help wanted section in the chamber newsletter, needing board members as well as volunteers.

As the Mesquite Senior Games remains on the hunt for help, they are also in the midst of preparing for the fall season in men’s softball, golf and bowling.

The men’s softball event, which is slated for October 4-14, will be broken down by age brackets, per usual. The tournament will be played at Pioneer Park and depending on the number of teams, it could also take place at Hunter.

Going into the final week of July, a dozen teams have signed up with registration remaining open through this month and in September.

One of the unique things about this event is that teams and players come from all over the country and North America to Mesquite because they are also preparing for the Huntsman World Senior Games.

“It’s awesome. I’ve got three Alaskan teams,” Tudor said. “The same thing happens in Canada. I always try to make sure that they’re not playing the team they play every other week.

“We’ve only got one local team now. We’ve got a couple (teams) that always come up from Las Vegas. Then, there’s one men’s team in St. George that generally comes down.”

As a result, that makes the Mesquite Senior Games’ softball event a nationwide event for teams to compete in one of the fastest growing cities in Nevada.

As softball is being planned, the golf tournament is also being organized. Outside the final logistical needs, the event has pretty much been planned out.

The golf event is scheduled for Nov. 5 at Coyote Willows Golf Course. The format is a two-man best ball event. Each team of two will play the course twice to get 18 holes of fun.

It is a co-ed tournament, and the handicap will come in with the tee boxes, depending on age. The players aged 50-59 will hit from the blue tees, 60-69 from white, 70-79 from gold and those 80+ and all ladies will hit from the red tees.

“They love the fact that they can play mixed doubles,” Tudor said. “It’s hard to explain but they each keep their own score. We have a lot of couples that play together in this, which is nice.”

Registration has opened and event director Shawn Edwards can accept up to 72 players, or 36 teams.

There is also a long drive hole and a closest to the pin contest. Because each player will play the same hole twice, players have a redemption opportunity for each event with a $5 donation. 

“Sometimes they don’t participate in the extra game on the first round, but they will on the second one. So that’s always fun,” Tudor said. “Then we do lunch on the turn as they come past the clubhouse to play their second round. We give them sandwich, chips and a drink.”

As the days gets closer and closer to softball and golf, Tudor expects a lot of participants in both events.

“We, I expect to be full for golf. I have no doubt that that will fill all spots,” Tudor said. “And I’m sure I’ll be fine on softball.”