'Golden Bachelor' recap: Love is in Gerry Turner's court during pickleball group date

"The Golden Bachelor" is growing up.

On this week's episode, the pickleball superfan who once lived in Iowa brought the remaining women on a group date to play his favorite sport. During the date, Gerry Turner held court with future Bachelor Joey Graziadei as umpire. One woman was sent home after she faked an injury while she played Gerry's favorite pastime.

The first-ever Bachelorette Trista Sutter and host Jesse Palmer were behind the desk during the group date. Later, sparks flew during a romantic one-on-one with Gerry.

Another woman left the house after her and Gerry agreed that their road to love with him in the driver's seat has hit a dead end. And Gerry reflected on a soul connection with one woman that reminded him of his high school sweetheart Toni, his wife of 43 years who died in 2017.

The couple lived in the Quad Cities area and the retired restaurateur told official franchise website BachelorNation.com in July that he is "from Iowa." Gerry is also a Hawkeye football fan.

Interview: 'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner reveals what his late wife would think of reality TV stint

Then, Gerry headed to a thorny rose ceremony with the contestants. After animosity between Theresa and Kathy bubbled up on the show's most recent episode, Gerry takes his pick and his romance with one woman fizzles out.

Five memorable one-liners (without context) from 'Golden Bachelor'

"If he continues to get to know me, we have so much in common," Kathy said.

"You're a lot more passionate with other people," Nancy said.

"I could very well be going home tonight," Theresa said. (And every other contestant ever, probably.)

"Giggling, laughing, kissing," Ellen said.

"The last time that happened was with my wife of 43 years," Gerry said.

The 'Golden Bachelor': Get to know Iowan Gerry Turner, the franchise's first 'The Golden Bachelor'

Winners, losers and what's to come with Iowa's 'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner

Winner of the week: Kleenex (for crying)

Loser of the week: Anybody who wants "Bachelor" contestants to stop saying "some of the other women"

Spoiler alert: Gerry is still likeable

What's to come: Gerry is "done"

Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowan Gerry Turner's journey for love continues on 'Golden Bachelor'