Golden Bachelor update: Delray Beach teacher might have inside track to Gerry Turner's heart

Delray Beach’s Ellen Goltzer has caught the attention of Gerry Turner on “The Golden Bachelor,” ABC’s latest version of its popular dating show for singles — this time featuring eligible bachelorettes between the ages of 60-75.

On the third episode of the first season, which aired Thursday night, Goltzer, 71, appeared on a talent show group date, judged by Turner, host Jesse Palmer and former “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe, but also got a coveted one-on-one date with Turner, 72, whose wholesome, genuine and suave personality has the senior ladies swooning.

On Goltzer's date, fashion designer Michael Costello whisked her away to a room filled with gorgeous gowns and shoes. She tried on a few ensembles before landing on a hot pink floor-length dress for her special date.

“She looked stunning," Turner said of the retired teacher. "What completed her look was the big smile on her face. At this point, out of all the women here, Ellen is the one I can be most myself with.”

The two started out on a park bench for a heart-to-heart conversation and there Goltzer revealed to Turner that she had met her husband at camp in the Catskills when they were only 10 years old, which eventually led to a 25-year relationship. She did not disclose if she is divorced or widowed. Her Facebook account shows she has two grown sons.

It’s not common to gift jewelry on a first date, but nothing about dating on any of “The Bachelor” franchise shows is conventional. Turner presented Goltzer with beautiful Neil Lane earrings and next, the couple took a romantic hot air balloon ride. Sparks flew as they shared a smooch, and Goltzer admitted it made her knees buckle. Turner offered her a rose and she accepted, securing her a spot on the series for at least one more week.

“Every minute today with Ellen was a gift,” Turner said at the conclusion of their date. “There’s just something about her personality that pulls me in. She could be the one that I spend the rest of my life with.”

The Golden Bachelor: Ellen Golzer's best friend died right before the season premiere

On the Sept. 28 premiere, Goltzer wore an aqua gown as she made her grand entrance as the second woman to step out of the limo and introduce herself to Turner. As she approached him, she looked to the sky and raised her arms, yelling, “Roberta, we made it!”

Roberta Zaktzer was Goltzer’s best friend for 60 years. The gal pals enjoyed watching “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” together and it was Roberta who encouraged and convinced Goltzer to apply to the spinoff. Roberta had cancer and died days before the premiere aired, so she never got to see it. The show paid tribute to her by showing a title card with her name, photo, and lifespan of 1952-2023 on the screen at the end of the episode.

Inside the mansion, Goltzer and Turner shared their first intimate conversation, discussing that they don’t believe it’s ever too late to find love.

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“He said to me, ‘Ellen, you have my attention, and I am listening.’ I felt like I hit the moon. I haven’t felt this giddy and excited in years,” she said. “It is the best day of my life in so long. He’s a hunk!”

Although she did not get the first-impression rose (the first rose given to a contestant who does not have to then sweat out the first rose ceremony), Goltzer was handed the first rose in the rose ceremony, which could be perceived that she’s been a top contender from the start.

On the second episode, the remaining 16 women moved into the mansion. After selecting her bedroom and bunk, Goltzer went on a group date. The women were given 10 minutes to change into a costume for a romance book-cover photo shoot with photographer Franco Lacosta.

Goltzer chose to pose with Turner in a wedding gown. At a mixer celebrating Turner's 72^nd birthday before the episode’s rose ceremony, Turner gave Goltzer a framed photo of their shot, which she said was one of the best presents she’s ever received.

Could this be foreshadowing of the future?

“I am feeling so special, and honestly, I haven’t felt special in a very long time. Any man that can make me feel special in this stage of my life is possibly the man I want to love, and I hope he feels the same,” Goltzer said. “My emotions are going crazy. Every single second of the last couple of days has been more than I could ask for. Gerry made me feel like the most special person in the world. Like a princess, so I hope I get a rose tonight.”

Dressed like a Malibu Barbie in the dream house, her wish was granted when she was offered the fourth rose in the ceremony.

The Golden Bachelor is ratings gold for ABC

“The Golden Bachelor” has piqued America’s curiosity. According to Nielsen ratings shared by ABC, the premiere episode attracted a cumulative viewership of 11.1 million viewers once television and streaming viewers were combined over the course of a week.

To put this in perspective, it was ABC’s best-performing series premiere and unscripted series episode ever on Hulu, as well as the most-watched episode of any ABC series, scripted or unscripted, in almost two years since the Nov. 11, 2021, episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

On television, it was the highest-rated debut for an unscripted series on any network since “Next Level Chef,” which aired on Fox on Jan. 2, 2022, following an NFL game.

It is important to note that the 18-49 age demographic is measured when ratings are tabulated, so these metrics do not necessarily reflect people who are 50 and above, many of whom are likely to tune in to “The Golden Bachelor” to see people they can relate to looking for a second chance at love.

The Golden Bachelor: Delray Beach's Ellen Goltzer has New York roots

According to a post on the Valley Stream South High School Alumni Facebook page, Goltzer grew up in Valley Stream, New York, which is on Long Island. She taught in Great Neck, another Long Island city, and has an honors master’s degree in health education and a bachelor’s in physical education.

When ABC announced the cast of suitors, they revealed Goltzer enjoys golf, dancing, bocce ball, and card games in addition to pickleball. She likes watching TV and reading the newspaper, and dreams of going on an African safari.

On Thursday's upcoming episode, there is a group pickleball date, which will put Goltzer right in her element. She is co-captain of her pickleball team here in Palm Beach County. Turner also enjoys playing pickleball, so this could be a “match” made in pickleball heaven.

How to watch 'The Golden Bachelor'

When: “The Golden Bachelor” airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m.

Where: ABC (channel 24 WPBF) and is also available to stream on ABC.com and Hulu.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Golden Bachelor update: Delray Beach teacher gets a one-on-one date