Q = Qualifying Event for State Games -- NQ = Non-qualifying events

Click Here for: 2009 Official Rules or Minimum Performance Standards

ARCHERY (Q)
Compound Fingers, Compound Release and Recurve. The 900 American Round with a 48" target will be used for competition. Archers must provide their own equipment, six arrows needed. Archers may compete in only one division.

BADMINTON (Q)
Singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. You must have a partner to enter. Each match consists of two out of three games. These are 15-point games. USBA rules apply.

BASKETBALL (Q) (NQ)
3 on 3 Basketball will be played on a half court with two twelve minute halves. The roster limit is 10 players. Teams must be all one gender. NCAA rules apply. Tournament format will be determined by the number of entries. ENTRY IS BY TEAM ONLY. A complete team roster must be submitted by the Team Captain. Individual non-qualifying Basketball events include: Around the World and Free Throw.

BILLIARDS (NQ) *New*
Recreation event only. Tournament structure will be determined by the number of participants registered. The game is 8 ball. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing his or her group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball, wins the game. BCA rules will apply.

BOWLING (Q)
Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles will be offered. Scratch and handicap scoring. Medals will be given in both categories. Established average must be listed on entry form. Bowlers will bowl three games in an event. A facility fee is required (see registration form). You may participate in one, two, or all three events; however, you may only participate in each event once. You must have a partner to enter doubles or mixed doubles. Only Scratch winners can qualify for State Games. This event is sanctioned by the ABA.

CYCLING (Q)
5K and 10K time trials. 20K and 40K Road Race. All participants must wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet. No bullhorn bars. Cyclists must report 30 minutes prior to start times. Start times and race numbers will be available at Pre-event Check-in. Race bibs will be in your registration packets.

FENCING (NQ)
A veterans tournament format will be used with USFA age groups. Participants must be USFA members. Classification can be received. Fencers must provide their own equipment. Registration through "Ask Fred" is available.

GOLF (Q)
Scratch (Gross) and Handicap (Net) scoring will be implemented. Golfers must play to a handicap of 43 or less. All players must list handicap index on the entry form. Medals will be given in both categories. The facility fee includes greens fee and golf cart. Golf event will have a shotgun start. All players will tee-off at 8:00 a.m. Players must golf in a foursome comprised
within their same age bracket. Same sex/age bracket requests may or may not be accommodated depending upon time limitations. Only Scratch winners and those meeting the MPS scores can qualify for State Games. Event is limited to the first 144 registrants.

HORSESHOES (Q)
All matches will be conducted in accordance with the National Horseshoe Pitching Association rules. Singles and Doubles (same or opposite sex). Men 50 - 69 pitch 40 feet. Women 75+ pitch 20 feet. All others pitch 30 feet.

PICKLEBALL (NQ)
Recreation event only. Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Pickleball is a combination of table tennis, tennis, and badminton and has been enjoyed for over 20 years by people of all ages. 2 or 4 people play on a badminton sized court, using wood paddle racquets and a plastic, polybaseball with holes.

RACQUETBALL (Q)(NQ)
Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. For Doubles and Mixed Doubles, you must have a partner. Mixed doubles is not a qualifying event.

ROAD RACE (Q)
Both 5K and 10K will start at the same time. Those wanting to run both races will get a split time at the 5K mark and will continue running to complete the 10K. To get a score recorded for both races, you must enter both races. Race bibs will be included in packets at Pre-event Check-In.

SCRABBLE TOURNAMENT (NQ) *New*
Recreation event only. Players will draw for opponents. 2 Players per board. Games will last no longer than 50 minutes. Each player competes for high score. Highest score in each match advances to next round. Participants are encouraged to bring their own Scrabble boards if possible.

SHUFFLEBOARD (Q)
Competition will be conducted in Singles and Doubles. Tournament format will be determined by the number of entries in each age division. Competitors are encouraged to bring their own cues. Cues may not exceed 6'3". Disks will be provided. Doubles partners may be of mixed sexes. For doubles competition, the age division will be determined by the younger age of the two players.

SOCCER EVENTS (NQ)
Recreation event only. Two different events: one to test your kicking ability for accuracy and distance, the other to test your ball control skills while dribbling the ball around a set course.

SWIMMING (Q)
You may enter a maximum of seven swimming events. US Masters Swimming rules will govern this meet. Officials will DQ swimmers for infractions of the rules.

SPELLING BEE (NQ) *New*
Recreation event only. The rules are fashioned after the National Spelling Bee. Participants are eliminated from the competition after misspelling one word. There is not an official study booklet for this competition. All words listed in the dictionary may be considered for this contest.

TABLE TENNIS (Q)
Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. For Doubles and Mixed Doubles you must have a partner to enter. Balls will be provided. White shirts or white jackets will not be permitted for competition. You must play with the partner you registered with.

TALENT SHOW (NQ) *New*
Recreation event only. Acts must be 4 minutes or less. Only sound equipment (microphone, cd player) will be provided. All other props must be provided by participant. Event will consist of Individual and Group competition. Spectators are invited to attend and cheer for participants!

TENNIS (Q)
Check tournament draws at packet pickup for first match time Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. For Doubles and Mixed Doubles you must have a partner to enter. Tournament seeding will be based upon your ranking or level of play if seeding information is submitted with your entry form. Seeding information should include previous personal results at a Senior Olympics Tennis Tournament, USTA Ranking, Sectional Ranking, etc. You may participate in all three events; however, keep in mind that singles and doubles play often carries over a day or two.

TEXAS HOLD 'EM POKER (NQ)
Recreation Event Only. All participants will begin with the same amount of chips. Once a player's chips are gone, one additional $10 "buy-in" will be permitted. Limits of betting will be announced at time of play. There will be NO gender or age separation for this event.

THROWING EVENTS (NQ)
Recreation Event Only. Football and Softball throwing is for distance and accuracy. All equipment will be provided.

TRACK & FIELD/RACE WALK (Q) (NQ)
You may enter a maximum of six track and four field events. Event times and track bib numbers will be included in packets at Pre-Event Check-In. Athletes must pre-register prior to the event. All races will be electronically timed with manual back ups. Results will be announced as soon as possible after each event has been completed. Pole-vaulters must provide their own poles. Javelin throwers must provide own javelin. Please Note: The 50M Dash is a recreational event only. It is not a National Event. Race walks are not considered track events, and do not count toward limits.

TWO-MILE WALK (NQ)
Recreational event only. Athletes competing in the 1500M or 5000M Race Walk (at Track and Field) are not eligible to win a medal in the two mile walk.

WASHERS (NQ)
Recreation event only. Accumulate points by tossing flat washers into a target 25 feet from the throw line.


2008 St. Joseph Medical Center Houston Senior Olympics
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