Last summer Fort Assiniboine resident Bessie Stevens won a silver medal at the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games in Calgary in the 80 plus category in golf.
This year she is hoping to repeat or better her performance, but this time on the national level.
From Aug. 21-24 Stevens hopes to join about 350 others as part of Alberta’s contingent in the Canada 55 Plus Games in St. John, N.B.
Stevens said her attendance isn’t necessarily certain, even though her silver medal performance in the Alberta games, secured her a spot on Team Alberta, whether she attends will depend on if she is able to raise enough funds.
“Unfortunately there are a lot of people who qualify for the Canada [55 Plus] Games, not every one can attend, because it can be quite expensive,” she said, adding it is something she really wants to do.
Stevens has been involved in the Canada 55 Plus movement since 1998 first starting at the regional level before progressing to the provincial level and qualifying to represent Zone 5 in various sports including golf, bowling and curling at multiple Alberta 55 Plus Games, starting with the Olds/Disbury effort in 1999. In 2014, Stevens got her first taste at competing at the national level in golf when she qualified for the Canada 55 Plus Games which where hosted by Strathmore County.
“I’m 80 now and I think this is something I should do. How many more times will I qualify to go to the Canada games,” she said.
All totalled Stevens estimates it will cost anywhere between $4,000 and $6,000 to participate in the games. Some of which she has already paid, in the form of her airfare and games registration fees. Other expenses Stevens will incur include her accommodations and a portion of her meals while attending the games plus all the costs for preparing for the games.
“I want to make sure I am at my best before I go,” she said, adding that means she will be doing a lot of golfing as soon as the weather permits.
Usually that means golfing three times a week. Since Fort Assiniboine does not have a golf course it means additional expense as she travels to play at the Barrhead Golf Club and Westlock Golf Course among others.
In order to pay for the trip, Stevens has been doing whatever she can from selling Tupperware to collecting bottles. Recently with the help of her granddaughter Lyndsey Carmichael, she has written a sponsorship letter, which she is distributing to select businesses in the area. Carmichael also started a GoFundMePage, titled ‘Help Bessie get to the Senior Games’. Any extra funds after the games will be donated to STARS Air Ambulance.
Woodlands County is also looking into how they might be able to help Stevens.
“The county has been really good to me. I know they are going to give me a supply of Woodlands County pins to take along with me so I can trade. Pin trading is always a big activity at these games,” Stevens said.
However, Stevens made it clear people shouldn’t feel obligated to donate, saying if they wanted it was appreciated, but either way she was confident she would reach her goal of competing in the Canada 55 Plus Games.
For more information about Stevens at 780-584-2536.
