Winning medals in 55 Plus eight-ball competitions isn't unusual for local pool player Bill Gibbons, but each one is special.

At the Alberta 55 Plus Games in Peace River, AB, he collected his fifth provincial medal, this time a bronze in the 75-plus age category.

Don Hladky of Zone 3 (Calgary) won gold and Wilfred Collins of Zone 7 (Lakeland) won silver. There were seven competing in his age group, one from each of Alberta's sports zones.

"I've beaten the guy who won the silver before when I was at my peak. I'm good, but I'm not as good as I use to be," says Gibbons.

Gibbons, who turns 80 later this year,  has once again qualified to advance to the 55+ Canada Games, being hosted by Kamloops, B.C. from Aug. 23 to 26. It will be his fifth appearance at the nationals.

Chances are, he will run into some long-timer rivals there, including those from Alberta.

"I'll definitely keep running into them," he laughs. "It should be exciting to see how I do against them in the Canada Games."

Gibbons has won two golds, a silver, and a bronze in previous Alberta 55+ Games. He has finished in the medals each time he's competed in the 55+ Canada Games, collecting gold, silver and two bronze.

He says each games offers a learning experience and an opportunity to meet peers.

He's especially fond of the 2018 games hosted by St. John, NB.

"That was my favourite games of all time because my mother was born in Bathurst, NB, so it brought back a lot of fond memories."

Several other Cochrane area residents have qualified to represent Alberta in the Kamloops games.

Gibbons is a Billiards Congress of America professional billiards instructor and active in Cochrane's pool league.

Bill GibbonsNext up for Bill is the Canada 55 Plus Games in Kamloops. (Photos/Peace River 55 Plus Games)