CLAYTON – The courts are fresh, the games are on, and the smiles are big. This year, more than 300 athletes, ages 50 and up, are gathering for the 38th Johnston County Senior Games, presented by WoodmenLife. But there are more than just medals and friendly competition to celebrate. For the first time, many of the events are taking place on brand new courts made possible by the 2019 Clayton Parks and Recreation bond.
The Town of Clayton recently completed major upgrades at the Clayton Community Center (715 Amelia Church Road). With the addition of eight pickleball courts, six shuffleboard courts, six bocce courts, and more, the space now feels like a true home for events like the Johnston County Senior Games. These improvements go beyond sports. They build community, support health, and create meaningful connections.
“These spaces give people a reason to move, to laugh, and to come together,” said Joni Hubble-Zeneberg, Clayton Community Center Supervisor and an organizer of the Johnston County Senior Games. “Whether you want to win or just have fun, we want everyone to come out, get active, and stay healthy.”
The enhancements have made a big difference for this year’s competitors, including Linda Payne, who helped lay the foundation for these games in more ways than one. As the first administrative support specialist for Clayton Parks and Recreation back in 1996, Payne helped support events like the Johnston County Senior Games before joining them herself after retiring in 2021.
“This year, everything is close together,” said Payne. “The courts are right next to the building now. It is going to bring in a lot more people and energy.”
She also talked about the friendships built through the games. “You get to know people and look forward to them each year. It becomes like a little community.”
Wayne May, now in his third year playing bocce, agreed. “Come on down and take advantage of what is here,” he said. “It is just waiting for you. Why not?”
That kind of welcome is part of what makes the Johnston County Senior Games special. There are 30 different athletic events and a SilverArts competition with age brackets increasing in five-year increments starting at 50. The real reward is not the medal. It is the laughter and friendships that last far beyond game day.
James Skillern, who plays pickleball, has seen the growth of that sport firsthand. “We used to play inside gyms, but with how fast pickleball is growing, there was a real need for outdoor courts,” he explained. “This is a blessing to have courts right here in Clayton.”
Skillern said pickleball is for everyone. “I have seen kids as young as 11 and people as old as 90 playing and competing. It is something anybody can enjoy.”
For some, the location itself makes the biggest difference. Oney Graham, who is in her second year of bocce, loves the new layout. “We used to play at the park down the street, but this is so convenient,” she emphasized. “You can even come out and practice if you want. It is not really about who wins or loses. It is about time together and fellowship.”
Newcomer Linda Woodell joined the pickleball competition this year and felt immediately welcomed. “Everybody is very nice and friendly,” she said. “Some players are better than others, but we all love the game. It has really been a wonderful experience.”
The 2019 Parks and Recreation bond helped fund these improvements, including a $3.7 million contract awarded in January 2024 to S.T. Wooten. Community leaders, volunteers, and donors like the Bolyard family also played a key role in making this vision a reality. A plaque now honors the legacy of Rochelle Harrison, a dedicated bocce player who once called the Johnston County Senior Games her favorite tradition.
“This is what community is all about,” said Hubble-Zeneberg. “Fun, fellowship, and family. These games help people recreate the joy of competing as kids while building healthy habits that last a lifetime.”
To learn more about the annual event, visit ncseniorgames.org.
So , 50 or older is considered a senior?? What happened to 60,65 and up?
AARP, in it’s never ending quest for more members, lowered their entrance age for “seniors” to 50. More “seniors”, more money. Just like when the American Medical Association (AMA) decided that if they give chiropractors real doctor status, they’d get more members, hence, more money. Always follow the money.