Summer is here and the stories are elusive
by Kevin Cassidy
Islander Correspondent
After one of the nicest springs in memory, summer emphatically arrived last week in spite of what the calendar may say. Daily temperatures of 92 degrees or higher are now the norm. Let’s hope the recent afternoon rain shower also becomes the norm.
Along with the daily high temperatures of summer, which officially begins June 21, comes the daunting task of finding Island sports stories to write about since no youth leagues operate when school is out. Stories are out there, but they’re harder to track down.
Island youths undoubtedly will be participating in water sports, like skim boarding, surfing, wake boarding and fishing throughout the summer. Some will enter contests and have good showings in some of these activities.
Other Island youth are probably making plans to attend a summer camp in the sport or activity of their choice.
Help a sports-starved reporter out. E-mail me at kevin@islander.org with an update on your camp, or to let me know of upcoming events. With advance notice, I will come and cover your event or activity.
Failure to do so will result in another summer reporting my own weekly antics, be it photos of my kids, vacation updates or tales of woe from the golf course. You’ve been warned!
Horseshoe news
May went out like a lamb as only four players showed up for horseshoe competition last Wednesday. John Johnson and Herb Ditzel bested Ron Slagh and Jimmy Spencer three straight games to earn bragging rights for the day.
The turnout was much better on May 27, with 14 participants split up into seven teams. Debbie Rhodes and Jim Maguire rallied from a 15-12 deficit in their final pool-play match to finish as the only 3-0 team and the day’s outright champions. Rhodes had consecutive four-point rounds, while teammate Maguire closed the match out with a ringer.
Three teams then battled it out for second place with Ron Slagh and Ron Pepka emerging from the playoff as the best of the rest.
Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
Key Royale golf news
Nancy Grimme fired a four-under-par 28 to capture the Key Royale Club women’s low-net golf competition on May 30. Tootie Wagner finished a shot back at 29, while Diane Miller rounded out the top three in Flight 1 with a 30.
LuAnne Collins led Flight 2 golfers with a 30, five shots ahead of Jean Tourt, while Markie Ksiazek finished in third place with a 36.
Grimme also won the putting contest with a low 12 putts in nine holes of golf. Tootie Wagner finished in second with 13 putts, while Dee Bassett, Roswitha Fowler and Jane Winegarden finished each finished with 14 putts. Fowler also managed a chip-in on hole No. 4.
AMICC basketball camp news
The Anna Maria Island Community Center’s “Driven” summer basketball camp is now accepting applications. Players ages 9-13 are encouraged to sign up for the two-week camp that will focus on teaching techniques to improve a player’s offense, defense, independent thinking, sportsmanship, ball handling and shooting.
Cost for the camp is $35. The camp will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, June 19-30, except for the first day which starts at 11 a.m. with orientation.
Registration deadline is June 16.
For more information, contact Center athletic director Andy Jonatzke at 778-1908. |
