The 2008 Baldwin County Senior Olympics will come to a close today as more than 70 seniors ages 50 and older from across Central Georgia compete in the spirit of friendly competition and good health.

“It’s been excellent. They’re always excited about being a part of it,” co-organizer Ken Ziemke said. “We know each other, and we really just kid around. Tuesday’s bowling events were a lot of fun because we had all known each other from previous years and just had a wonderful time getting some exercise and having some fun while bowling.”

Wednesday morning found around 20 men out across the grounds of Little Fishing Creek Golf Course off Ga. Highway 22 as each one kept his eye on the ball and his other eye on the greens during a four-hour mens’ golf portion of the 2008 Senior Olympics.

Ziemke was found waiting outside the main clubhouse around 12:30 in the afternoon as exhausted but pleased-looking participants began trickling in from a day’s worth of golfing.

“A lot of these guys, they just want to go straight home after they finish, so we’ll hold their medals for them and present them at the closing ceremonies on Friday in those cases,” Ziemke said.

One of “those guys” was 74-year-old Walt Hutchings, who may not have played the best game in his life, but the smile on his face showed the excitement and physical power brought forth by his morning’s participation in the games.

“It’s been going real good. I think these games really help seniors to get involved in activities,” Hutchings said.

At age 80, Frank Fordham wasn’t officially registered for the mens’ golf portion of this year’s Senior Olympics, but that didn’t stop him from picking up a club and joining his fellow seniors in a round of golf on Wednesday morning.

“It’s been pretty good. I’ve been working with Senior Olympics since it started several years ago,” Fordham said. “Today has been fairly good. I had an eagle on hole number 18 and a birdie on hole number four.”

Thursday marks a day off for participants, who will have a chance to rest up before Friday morning’s 9 a.m. track event and 10 a.m. walking event, both of which are scheduled to be held at the new Baldwin County Recreational Department soccer field off Highway 212.

The closing ceremonies of the 2008 Baldwin County Senior Olympics are scheduled to be held at the Baldwin County Recreational Center at Walter B. Williams Park at 1 p.m. on Friday.