Island sportsman loses life's challenge
by Kevin Cassidy
Islander Correspondent
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| Tim Lease "on his game." |
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| Josh Titsworth, Mike Phillips, and John Cella participated in the Marathon Sprint Triathlon held June 21 on Siesta Key. They placed first with a time of 1 hour 10 minutes. They were sponsored by JCT Construction Services. Islander Photo: Courtesy Meri Cella |
The sports section isn’t the usual venue for an obituary, but Jon Timothy Lease, known as Tim to those of us who grew up on Anna Maria Island with him, had a life that centered around sports. Lease, 45, died July 16, 2008. He was a lifelong resident of Anna Maria Island and my best friend. He grew up playing in all of the sports offered by what was then known as the Anna Maria Island Youth Center, where his mother Loretta worked and volunteered for many years.
He is best remembered as a fun loving guy and as the best athlete from a large and very athletic family. Brothers Dan and Jeff will argue that they were better in ping-pong, while brother Matt might argue that his “nothing serve” baffled Tim during their many tennis matches, but that’s not how I remember it.
Tim’s best sport was probably soccer. He played a major role on the Coors Light adult amateur soccer team that won a state title for the Sarasota Futball Club in 1993. He also was a key player on the Island Football Club team that won the Suncoast Soccer League Division Cup in a thrilling, double overtime game against the Slovaks in 1996.
Also an avid golfer, Tim often joked that he was in training to compete on the PGA senior tour. No matter what sport Tim was playing at the time, one thing was certain, Tim was good at it - and his hair was perfect!
Tim is survived by his mother Loretta, sisters Kathy Harris, Terry Williams and brothers Tom, Ken, Steve, Dan, Jim, Ric, Matt and Jeff.
There will be a celebration of Tim’s life for all friends and family members from noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3, at the Palma Sola Botanical Gardens at 9800 17th Ave. N.W., Bradenton. People are encouraged to bring photos of Tim and stories to share to complete a lasting memory for those who loved him.
Key Royale golf news
The men of the Key Royale Club played a nine-hole, two-best-balls-of-foursome match on July 14. The team of Dick Mills, Fred Meyer, Jim McCartney and Gerry Brown matched the 15-under-par 49 carded by the team of Carl Wencker, Chuck Reed, Ralph Bassett and Austin Rice to tie for first place.
The ladies played a low-net and low-gross game on July 15. Tootie Wagner and Joyce Brown both carded 26 to tie for first for low net in flight 1. Joyce Reith shot a 28 to finish in second place. Wagner also won the low gross with a 36.
First place in flight 2 went to Linda Kelly with a 27. Meredith Slavin took second place with a 30, while Norma Moran Shearer finished in third place with a 31. Kelly’s 41 was good enough to win the low gross in flight 2.
The women joined up with the men for a best-ball-of-foursome coed tourney on July 18. The team of Jane Winegarden, Joyce Brown, Jim Finn and Earl Huntzinger fired a 7-under-par 25 to take first place. Finn and Huntzinger helped their cause with chipins on holes 1 and 6. Rose Slomba and Web Cutting also had chipins on the day.
Native Surf Camp offers another session
Professional surfer Ryan Helm is hosting another surf camp July 28- Aug. 1 at the White Avenue beach in Holmes Beach. Participants will learn the basics of surfing, such as how to spot a wave to ride, stand up and ultimately take the wave to the beach.
Lessons on ocean safety, sun safety and the environment are included, as well as games and activities on the beach throughout the fun-filled week. The fee is $175.
For more information or to sign up, call the West Coast Surf Shop at 778-1001.
Horseshoe news
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.
Center to hold fishing tournament July 25-27
The Anna Maria Island Community Center’s sport fishing tournament will take place July 25-27.
The tournament will feature a total of $16,000 in cash payouts for winners from first to 10th in the inshore and offshore fishing categories. The top prize in each category will be $3,000.
The tournament also will feature a children’s fishing contest on the Anna Maria City Pier from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 26.
The children’s contest, limited to 40 kids ages 14 years and under, will see assistance from the Anna Maria Island Privateers. The registration time is 8 a.m.
The big-money tournament will begin with a captain’s meeting July 25, followed by the weekend of fishing and an awards banquet at noon Sunday, July 27, at the Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
The fishing hours will be from the end of the captain’s meeting at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Holmes Beach at 8:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 26.
There will be three weigh-in stations, one at Galati Marina in Anna Maria, one at the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant on Longboat Key and one at the 59th Street Boat Ramp on the Manatee River in Bradenton, according to the official contest rules. The weigh-in stations will be open from 8:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. July 26.
Boat registration fees are $375 and must be paid by 5 p.m. July 25.
For more information, call the Center at 941-778-1908. |
