The Idaho Senior games promote health and wellness for people over fifty-years-old, seniors will compete in sports this August in the 29th Idaho Senior Games.
We caught up with George Utley at Pockets in Boise, George was born without hands but he has never let this disability define him as a person.
“I just try to do the best I can and enjoy it because life is too short," said Utley. "I make the best of it day by day.”
But make no mistake, George is very good at pool he beat Six on Your Side's Steve Dent in three straight games and if you take George lightly on the pool table then you are going to lose.
“Well, he put me in the losers bracket in the first tournament I played him," Sam Yost. "You don’t want to give George a chance, he will take advantage of it.”
George has already won two bronze medals in the Idaho Senior Games, but he has a goal of winning the gold and advancing to nationals in Albuquerque in 2019, the top four finishers in each sport will earn a spot.
On another level, George teaches all of us that anything is possible, including playing billiards at a high level without any hands.
“George is so inspiring to all of us because he doesn’t let anything get him down, he’s got a can-do attitude," said Yost. "He shows us we all can do whatever we need to do if we put our heart into it."
Thursday night a barbecue will kick off the games at Julie Davis Park that runs from 5-7, the games start on Friday and in addition to pool athletes will have a chance to compete in several sports including pickleball, softball and a triathlon.
