By By Chandler Myers
Beijing might be hosting the Olympics this summer, but for one Atmore resident the Olympics will not take place until next summer when he tees off for the 2009 National Senior Games.
Escambia County High School girls basketball coach Ray Greer has qualified for the 2009 games, which are going to be played in San Francisco.
Greer qualified for the games on May 4 by winning a state-qualifying tournament.
Greer said by medaling in the tournament he still had to beat a qualifying number, but was able to do both.
The qualifier was intended to be a two-day tournament, but due to rain the first day rounds were used to determine the winner.
Participating in the qualifiers is nothing new to Greer who has attended the tournaments six times.
Greer said his first time participating he won a silver medal, but the rest of the qualifiers he played in he brought home the top prize.
On a national scale, Greer has played just as well as the state tournaments.
He has played in the Senior National Game in cities such as Orlando (’99), Baton Rouge (’01), Hampton Roads, Va. (’03) and Pittsburgh (’05). Greer was also scheduled to play in Louisville in 2007, but was unable to make the tournament.
Greer said his only gold medal came in Baton Rouge, but he added that he has placed well in each of the national tournaments.
Greer continued that he won the gold medal in Baton Rouge, but did not realize it until later.
The 2009 games would be another opportunity for Greer to win a gold medal and he is practicing as much as possible.
He said that he hopes he can raise the money to make the trip out to San Francisco and wishes it could be a road trip.