By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

A group of local golfers showed recently that you’re never too old to have fun and find success on the green.

Fourteen golfers from the Dallas County area snagged first, second and third place finishes at the State Masters Games Golf Tournament in Trussville on Monday and Tuesday.

“The Masters Games are key games and sports and activities that are there for the senior citizens age 55 and above to play,” said Elton Reece, Selma Parks and Recreation director and organizer of the golf tournament. “The Masters Games has a district games and then we have a state games. Everybody who qualifies in the district goes on to the state tournament, the games range from rook, bingo, dominos, checkers … and of course, the golf.”

This year’s district games for the area were held at Valley Grande Golf Course on Aug. 15 and 16 and the top finishers in each age group of the golf tournament advanced to the state tournament in Trussville.

Reece said the tournament had 53 total participants and 25 of those were from Selma-Dallas County. Reece said it means a lot of the seniors to be able to compete.

“It keeps the competitive edge going and it gives them a chance to compete against people in their own age group,” Reece said. “It’s just a fun time for them meeting old friends, and it just keeps that adrenaline flowing and that competitive edge going.”

The Dallas County golfers are as follows:

Albert Southall finished in first place in the 60-64 age group with a 79. Ray Hollingshead captured first place while Jesse Harris finished second in the 65-69 age group with 73 and 77 respectively.

Gordon Cargill took second place in the 70-74 age group with a 76, while Louis Thompson took first place in the 75-79 age group with 77 and John Lovett took first place in the 80-84 age group with a 79.

Tommie Gilbert finished second in the women’s 60-64 age group with a 96 while Annye Braxton finished first in the women’s 75-79 age group with a 103. In the doubles, the team of Ray Hollingshead and Elton Reece finished first in the 60-64 age group with a 64, while Albert Southall and Jimmy Rice finished third with 75.

John Parris and Tommy Hatchett finished first in the 70-74 age group with  a 69, while Louis Thompson and Tommy Irvine finished second with 71, and Mason Harris and Jesse Harris finished third with a 73.

Tommie Gilbert and Annye Braxton teamed up to finish first with an 80 in the women’s doubles.