Best 'Golden Bachelor' moments from Florida women: Basket of eggs, fake pickleball injury

From "The Golden Bachelor" to "The Golden Wedding," here's one (nationally broadcast) love story to remember.

It all started when ABC announced a newer, yet older, addition to its already popular "Bachelor" franchise. Gerry Turner of Indiana was the inaugural "Golden Bachelor," and 22 women in their "golden years" − ages 60 to 75 − competed for his heart.

Two women were from Florida, April Kirkwood of Port St. Lucie and Ellen Goltzer of Delray Beach. In the end, Turner gave his final rose and then proposed to 70-year-old Theresa Nist. Their wedding, "The Golden Wedding" TV special, airs Thursday, Jan. 4, on ABC.

Though Kirkwood and Goltzer did not end up marrying Turner, the pair had their memorable moments on "The Golden Bachelor." Here's a recap of the best "Golden Bachelor" scenes featuring April Kirkwood and Ellen Goltzer.

Who is 'the chicken lady' on 'Golden Bachelor?' Why did April Kirkwood give a basket of eggs to Gerry Turner?

When April Kirkwood exited the limousine during the premiere episode of "The Golden Bachelor," she met Gerry Turner with a basket of chicken eggs.

Really − but there's a reason: In an exclusive interview with TCPalm, the "Golden Bachelor" contestant explained the chicken eggs were a nod to her upbringing in Youngstown, Ohio, on a chicken farm and an attempt to connect with Turner, who hails from Indiana.

"I wanted to say 'Gerry, I grew up like you, you know I'm from Ohio, and I was on a chicken farm,'" Kirkwood said. "I tried to connect with him that way, (but) I'm not sure if that worked."

The entrance garnered attention from viewers, especially after she said in a confessional she wanted Turner to know "her eggs are fresh." The entrance received mixed reactions.

"I am eccentric and I am whimsical — which is a nice word for eccentric — but I didn't think that it was crazy," Kirkwood said.

What month is it? It's always April. 'Golden Bachelor' viewers know

Kirkwood wasted no time on the first night of "The Golden Bachelor" when she pulled Turner aside and gifted him a calendar with photos of herself and every month was April.

After she left the show, Kirkwood poked fun at the calendar gesture in a TikTok to the trending Fleetwood Mac song, "Silver Springs." The TikTok got more than 1 million views when it was posted Nov. 15, 2023.

Pickleball injury on 'The Golden Bachelor.' Was it real?

If there was one thing Kirkwood brought this season, it was comedic relief and agile dance moves. But her agility did not translate onto the pickleball court. On her last episode of "The Golden Bachelor" the group date was a pickleball competition.

During pickleball warmups, Kirkwood took a tumble on the court, where Turner came to console her.

"Actually, I am totally fine," Kirkwood said, winking to the camera.

'Hasta la vista, baby! You're done.' Ellen Goltzer won pickleball match on 'Golden Bachelor'

Ellen Goltzer is a pickleball champ − and she proved it on "The Golden Bachelor." In the "pickleball game" episode (where April took a spill, see above), there were some familiar faces from Bachelor Nation. Trista Sutter, the original "Bachelorette" from season one, and newest "Bachelor" Joey Graziadei of season 28, which premieres at 8 p.m. ET Monday, Jan. 22, appeared on the show. Goltzer, who showed her competitive side, and her teammate Kathy won the pickleball cup in what the show called "the first annual Golden Bachelor Pickleball Tournament."

Her team was called the Picklicious Paddles.

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, Goltzer said her experience on "The Golden Bachelor" earned her some fans from her hometown: "I felt the love coming from every community in Palm Beach County, especially in Delray (Beach). It’s incredible."

After the show aired, Goltzer told the Post she was recognized around town. "I went to a pickleball match," she said in the October 2023 interview. "My team goes to all different communities, and they wouldn’t let me leave. 'Can I have a selfie? Can I have a selfie?' It was a lot of fun!"

April Kirkwood of Florida did not get a rose from 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner

While Kirkwood got sent home after her planned pickleball fumble, losing the chance at a ring from Turner, she gained something much bigger — a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

She grew close with the other women on the show, forming their own "sorority" called the A.S.K.N. crew — April, Susan Noles, Kathy Swarts and Nancy Hulkower — and the crew appears in a trailer for the upcoming season of "The Bachelor."

Ellen Goltzer of Florida did not get a rose from 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner

Though Goltzer did not end up engaged to Turner, it wasn't all bad news.

Goltzer told the Palm Beach Post that "there’s been a lot of reaching out" as far as dating post-"Golden Bachelor." “'I know someone who would be great for you.' 'My brother would love to date you.' All of these different avenues," said Goltzer, adding that she really didn’t have "to try because the popularity of the show. Invites are coming in from really reputable sources and I’m not ready to do the online thing, but I am ready for the recommendations and people that know people."

In a previous interview, Goltzer mentioned exes have reached out since seeing her on TV. But a chance to rekindle a romance with any of them was small: "Some are married, some are involved, but they were reaching out for their good wishes and 'I knew you when.' They were very sweet and very nice and very encouraging. Actually, one of them was cheering me on with his girlfriend and talking about the past. It was delightful hearing from them. It was a good experience, but no availability. Just friendship."

After 'Golden Bachelor,' what's next for April Kirkwood of Florida?

After four episodes at the Bachelor mansion, Kirkwood is ready to find love.

"My story on Gerry is over, but my life has just begun because of 'The Golden Bachelor,'" Kirkwood told TCPalm in an exclusive interview. "I am so grateful to have had the experience and now, I am ready to find love."

Post 'Golden Bachelor,' what is Ellen Goltzer of Florida up to?

Not long after the "Golden Bachelor" season finale, Goltzer revealed she almost didn't apply to be on the reality TV dating competition due to health reasons.

Goltzer had developed a "golf ball"-size abscess before filming and almost quitbefore the "Golden Bachelor" began filming. She traveled from Florida to her doctor in New York to try to resolve the issue.

Her friend, Roberta Zaktzer, who died shortly before the premiere episode aired, played a huge role in encouraging Goltzer to do the show.

Goltzer told the Post, "I think she is cheering for me. She is watching it. I’m not very spiritual, but I do feel her presence, which is sort of cool. I think she’d be very proud of me because it was really out of my comfort zone. I think that she would feel that my feelings for Gerry were sincere and real and that he was a really great guy, which I’ve said a number of times; he is. He’s terrific. The experience taught me a lot. It opened me up to a lot of new experiences here, so that’s encouraging. I was going to give up and I am definitely not giving up anymore."

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Golden Bachelor: Ellen Goltzer of Delray, April Kirkwood of Port St Lucie