While he may not be an Olympian, Anderson County resident Russell Sandifer was able to discover the personal thrill in bringing home a gold medal in his favorite past time, golf, from the National Veterans Golden Age Games in Indianapolis, Ind. Aug. 20-24.
Sandifer, 68, competed in four events at the Games — golf, horseshoes, the 1/2 mile bicycle race and the 1/4 mile bicycle race. The event, for veterans age 55 years and older, is sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Help Hospitalized Veterans and the Veterans Canteen Services.
“I actually hadn’t planned to go this year, but got talked into entering at the last minute,” Sandifer said. “If I had consciously prepared a little bit more, I might have done better.
“I missed winning the bronze medal for bicycling by 3/100ths of a second.”
This was Sandifer’s second gold medal in golf and his third year to participate in the Games. His first gold medal came at the 2005 games in Norman, Okla., where he also won a silver medal in the bicycling event.
During his first year participating, at the 2004 games in Fresno, Calif., Sandifer won two bronze medals in table tennis and golf.
“I first heard about the games in 2003, when I saw an article on another Golden Age gamer, local resident Harold Willbanks,” Sandifer said. “I called him up and talked to him about it.
“The next thing I knew, I was going to the qualifying event.”
In order to attend the National Golden Age games, one must attend and participate in a qualifying event, such as the Temple VA Hospital sponsored event where Sandifer competes.
“I am part of the Central Texas Tornadoes team,” he said, explaining that participants are categorized by age (in five year increments) and earn points based on their placings in each event.
Those with the most points are eligible to attend the National Games, with the VA furnishing airfare, hotel and a food card.
Sandifer was one of 650 participants from all over the United States attending the 2008 Games, and as a Texan, was part of the largest state delegation to attend the event.
“It is an amazing thing to be part of, not just for myself, but to watch others compete in,” Sandifer said. “You get to see and meet people that have been through wars and that you have something in common with.
“The premise of the Games is that through competition and participation, veterans can live a better, healthier life,” he said. “But the greatest thing I get from it is the chance to build relationships and make new friends.”
Sandifer already is planning to participate in next year’s event, which will take place in June at Birmingham, Ala. He hopes to participate in table tennis, golf, horseshoes and a bicycling event.
“I play golf with a group of friends at Country Oaks Golf Club in Cross Roads two to three times a week and, when training, I bicycle six to 10 miles a week,” he said. “I have already constructed a horseshoe pit in my front yard and will be searching for other table tennis enthusiasts to help me practice.”
Since he began participating in the Golden Age Games, Sandifer has attempted to recruit others to join him at future events. He has not given up on that effort and hopes that his recent accomplishments will inspire others to attend the 2009 Games.
“Some of the people that participate are even more dedicated in their preparation than I am,” Sandifer said. “But you don’t have to be that way. Any veteran 55 and older, at any skill level, can participate in the Games.”
Additional Golden Age events not previously mentioned include: swimming, dominoes, shuffleboard, horseshoes, nine ball (pool), bowling, checkers, croquet, shot put, discus and air rifles.
“If you are athletic in any way, of if you want to get those competitive juices flowing, this is an ideal opportunity,” he said.
Sandifer served in the US Navy from 1957 to 1976 as an aviation storekeeper chief petty officer before retiring in the Dallas area. He and his wife of 48 years, Linda, came to Palestine in 1998.
The couple have two children, three grandchildren and one great-grandson, all of whom reside in the Dallas area.
Sandifer needs to know by January 2009 who else might be interested in participating in the Golden Age Games. He or his wife may be contacted at 903-723-1022 for more information.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
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August 31, 2008
Sandifer gets the gold in golf
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