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HERNANDO COUNTY SPORTS BRIEFS
BROOKSVILLE – The First Tee of Brooksville Summer Golf Camp will begin June 13 and run through Aug. 19. The camp runs weekly Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at The Quarry Golf Course in Brooksville.
The cost is $60 per week.
Children, ages 7-17, will work on golf skills and mechanics of putting, chipping, driving and golf course etiquette. Equipment will be supplied along with snacks and drinks for participants. Players are encouraged to bring their own marked water bottle each day.
The First Tee of Brooksville is committed to impacting the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
For additional information, contact Miles Groff at the City of Brooksville Recreation at 352-540-3835 or email at [email protected].
Clint Hart Football Camp
BROOKSVILLE – The Clint Hart Football Camp will take place July 7-8 at Hernando High’s Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.
Hart, a South Sumter High graduate, has played professionally since 2000, including stints with the Tampa Bay Storm, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams, primarily as a safety.
He is currently a member of the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League.
The camp, which will cost $30 per camper, is for ages 8-13 on the first day and 14-17 on the second. It will run 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Registration begins at 8 a.m.
Three different sponsorship packages are being offered:
Gold package ($500) – Presenting the camp, product table, banner or sign, business name on all camp T-shirts and flyers, and a representative from the business will present awards.
Silver package ($250) – Product table, banner or sign, business name on the back of camp T-shirts.
Bronze package ($100) – Business name on camp T-Shirts, and banner or sign.
Make all checks payable to Clint Hart from the Hart Foundation. Mail to P.O. Box 12166, Brooksville, 34603.
For more information on the camp, contact Eric Riggins Sr. at 352-340-6132 or [email protected].
Anthony Becht Youth Football Camp features star power
WEEKI WACHEE – The Anthony Becht Youth Football Camp is set for June 9-11 at Weeki Wachee High School.
According to WWHS Head Coach Mark Lee, the football camp at the Hornets’ campus is open to children, grades 1-8. The camp will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Cost is $165 per player and includes a camp T-shirt, gift bags and autographed 8×10 pictures. The children will also be fed lunch.
Players will be divided by age and grades. Most of the teaching aspects will take place during the morning sessions while the players will be paired into a series of 7-on-7 drills in the afternoon.
According to Lee, NFL players who have committed to the camp include: Becht, Kevin Carter, Chad Pennington, Simone Rice, Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson and Dwight Smith.
Walkup registration will be available.
July 4 Machine Gun Shoot
WEEKI WACHEE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club will celebrate with its annual July 4 Machine Gun Shoot from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club, 16121 Commercial Way (U.S. 19), just nine miles north of Weeki Wachee.
Bring your own machine gun to the range. Several cars, trucks and assorted targets will be destroyed.
Admission for machine gun shooters is $20. Spectator admission is $2, with kids under 15 free.
For additional information, contact the Hernando Sportsman’s Club at 352-597-9931 or visit www.hernandosportsmansclub.com.
Tennis anyone?
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Recreation Department (HCRD) is offering tennis lessons during a variety of evenings and weekends for ages 7 to adult at Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, 34606.
Private lessons are $30 per hour while group lessons are $10 per hour.
The tennis instructors feature: Doug Haskedakes, PTR Certified Instructor, and John and Louise Downey, USPTA Certified Instructors.
To register contact HCRD at 352-754-4031 or visit online at www.hernandocounty.us/parks_rec. Walk-up registration is also available.
Taekwondo classes offered
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Recreation Department (HCRD) is offering tae kwon do classes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays at Delta Woods Park, at 3400 Deltona Blvd. Spring Hill, 34606 and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays at Kennedy Park, 895 Kennedy Blvd., Brooksville, 34601.
Taekwondo helps one learn self control, self defense, discipline and respect.
Taekwondo will be taught by Master Simeon “Sam” Kinard for students ages 6 to adult.
The cost includes a free first class. First month is $30 and $45 for each succeeding month.
To register, contact HCRD at 352-754-4031 or visit www.hernandocounty.us/parks_rec.
Fast-pitch softball private lessons
BROOKSVILLE – Fast-pitch softball private lessons are being offered at the Anderson Snow Sports Complex, 1360 Anderson Snow Rd., and the Florida Fastpitch Academy location for players ages 7-16.
The lessons serve as an opportunity for girls to develop and improve their fast-pitch softball skills.
Prospective students are asked to call for private lessons with April Pelham, a certified Florida Fastpitch Academy instructor with over 20 years of playing and coaching experience.
Cost varies for private Lessons, $20 for 30 minutes of hitting or catching; private field and throwing lessons are $15 for 30 minutes or private pitching lessons are $20 for 30 minutes, $25 for 45 minutes and $40 for one hour.
To register, contact HCRD at 352-754-4031 or visit www.hernandocounty.us/parks_rec.
Bucs lower ticket prices
TAMPA – In response to fan feedback and the Tampa Bay region’s ongoing economic challenges, the Buccaneers are unveiling several new family friendly features aimed at maximizing the Bucs’ home field advantage for the 2011 season and beyond.
The Bucs are offering several pricing changes.
Ticket prices have been reduced by up to 20 percent, with adult tickets starting at $35 per game. In addition, youth tickets (16 and under) are now available for purchase in any upper-level section at 50 percent off adult prices, starting as low as $17.50.
Selected season parking has been discounted by up to 40 percent, now starting at only $13.50 per game.
Season pass holders will also receive 10 percent off of all stadium food, beverage and merchandise purchases.
The Buccaneers recently introduced a 10-month payment plan, which has debuted to rave reviews.
Next season, the Buccaneers will host several marquee matchups that include the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons.
For more information, call 866-582-BUCS (2827) or visit www.buccaneers.com.
TBASO seeks for new and experienced tackle and flag football officials
TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Area Sports Officials (TBASO) are looking for new and experienced tackle and flag football officials to work youth games in the Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County areas this upcoming 2011 season.
There will be a summer training session in June and July.
For additional information, contact Gary Stanley at 352-519-6443 or home at 352-463-3758 or at [email protected].
Sportsman’s Club offers safety courses
WEEKI WACHEE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club, 16121 Commercial Way, Brooksville, is offering several firearm safety courses.
A National Rifle Association (NRA) Basic Instructor Training (BIT) course will be offered from 4 to 10 p.m. on June 3. Instructor candidates must possess and demonstrate a solid background in firearm safety and shooting skills and be intimately familiar with each action type in the discipline they wish to be certified.
Candidates will learn NRA polices and procedures, basic public speaking skills, training methodology, use of a training team and training aids, organizing a course, building a budget and preparing to teach.
Students will receive the NRA trainer’s guidebook. Cost is $100. Pre-registration is required.
Also, a NRA Pistol Instructor course is offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 4-5. In this two-day class, candidates learn how to teach safe gun handling, ammunition knowledge, the fundamentals of pistol shooting and how to improve the performance of beginning pistol shooters.
Candidates must pass an exam with a score of at least 90 percent and receive endorsement of the training counselor for certification.
Cost is $300. Pre-registration required. Pre-requisites: completion of both the Basic Pistol class and Basic Instructor Training (BIT) class. The BIT training class must have been completed within two years previously.
A firearms safety class is being offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 18, July 6, and July 16, at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club. The course covers lessons about the basics of firearms safety around the home and the fundamentals of pistol shooting. The class includes practice time on the range.
Successful completion of this class also provides required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed carry permit if desired.
There also will be a special “Ladies Only” firearms safety class on June 26.
Pre-registration is required. Cost is $50.
The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is inviting women for a “Lady’s Day” all-day event running from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the gun range on October 29.
The event serves an introduction to rifles, shotguns, and pistols for women only and will help facilitate exposure of shooting sports to women.
There will be seven learning stations taught by instructors and all firearms and ammo will be supplied for the women attending the event.
The event will be limited to 100 ladies.
Pre-registration is required. Registration fee is $15 for the day.
For additional information, contact Heather Francis at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club at 352-597-9931 or online at www.hernandosportsmansclub.com.
Sharks host youth volleyball camp June 13-15
BROOKSVILLE – Nature Coast Technical will be hosting a summer youth volleyball camp in the Shark gymnasium from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13-15. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. on June 13.
The cost per camper is $50, which includes a free T-shirt. The camp is open for children from second grade through seventh grade.
Several members of the NCT volleyball team will also be helping with the camp. Each camper should bring lunch and water each day. The goal is to help each player have a fun experience learning volleyball skills, game situations and rules while making new friends.
Registration forms will be available in the front office at NCT. For additional information, contact NCT Head Coach Emily Gore at 352-535-5091 or online at [email protected].
Key West Marlin Tourney offers $50,000 in prizes
KEY WEST – Anglers targeting marlin and other fish will be competing for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes in the 2011 Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament, scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, July 20-23.
The tournament is held in conjunction with Key West’s July 19-24 Hemingway Days celebration. Ernest Hemingway, an avid sport-fisherman, lived and wrote in Key West throughout the 1930s and fought countless marlin in area waters.
Teams that accumulate the most points for blue marlin, white marlin and spearfish during the tournament’s three fishing days are to split $40,000 cash, including $25,000 for the first-place finishers.
Teams also can earn points by entering one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per boat per day.
Marlin must be tagged and released unless their weight exceeds 600 pounds.
Boats in the marlin division also can enter the fun fish division to compete for an additional $10,000. Cash prizes are to be presented for the three heaviest dolphin, wahoo and tuna (yellowfin, blackfin and skipjack).
Final registration is scheduled at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St. A captain’s meeting, auction and raffle are to follow.
Fishing is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 21 and 22, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23. Weigh-ins are 4-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Conch Republic Seafood Co. docks.
Tournament social events include cocktail gatherings, an island pig roast, a fish fry and Saturday night’s awards banquet.
Marlin division entry fees are $1,500 per boat before June 15 and $1,800 per boat thereafter. Entry in the fun fish division is an additional $300 per boat.
Tournament information and registration: www.keywestmarlin.com or call 1-305-292-2710 Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY.
West Hernando Cougars sets football, cheerleading registration dates
BROOKSVILLE – The West Hernando Cougars will be holding registration for youth football and cheerleading from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on June 11, June 18 and June 25 at Spring Hill’s Delta Woods Park.
Signups are for children ages 5-15 across five age divisions.
Football registration fee is $195 and includes rental of shoulder pads and helmet and a personalized jersey and game pants.
Cheerleading registration fee is $225 and includes practice shirt/shorts, game uniform and game shoes. There’s a $10 discount for each sibling. The season starts July 11.
For additional information, contact Bobby McFarland at 352-585-6524 or visit online at www.westhernandocougars.com or on Facebook West Hernando Cougars Football and Cheerleading.
Copeland Football Camp set July 22-23
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Recreation Department (HCRD) is hosting the first-ever Horace “Hi C” Copeland Youth Football Camp at Spring Hill’s F.W. Springstead High School. The camp is designed for children, ages 7-14 (grades 1st-9th), on July 22-23.
The camp cost is $110 per camper. Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two-day camp will provide young athletes the opportunity to develop fundamental football skills and gain additional knowledge from skilled, experienced local coaches, as well as several professional athletes including ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneer standout Copeland, Errict Rhett, Marcus Jones and Leon Searcy.
The camp is no pads, no contact. Curriculum will include a variety of drills to enhance skills in all positions including quarterback, receiver, offensive and defensive line, linebacker and defensive back.
Speed, conditioning and agility drills and skills will be taught. In addition, there will be presentations on topics such as nutrition, alcohol/drug use, the importance of education and over all family well being.
The camp will provide your athlete hands on instruction in a positive teaching environment with a low camper to coach ratio for optimum individualized instruction. Afternoon scrimmages and contests will be included.
All campers will be provided an official “Hi-C” Copeland camp T-shirt, a personalized certificate of participation, lunch daily and a special autograph session with Copeland and former professional players at the conclusion of camp.
Limited scholarships are available and special criteria must be met to apply.
For information or to register for the camp, contact HCRD’s Harry Johnson at 754-4031.
HCRD offers variety of summer camps
BROOKSVILLE – Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a varity of summer camps for children, 3-14.
Camp Description Weeks available Cost:
Basketball @ W. Hernando Middle 6/13, 7/18, 7/25, 8/8 $80.
Cheerleading @ Delta Woods 6/20, 7/18 $75.
Cheerleading @ W. Hernando Middle 8/1 $75.
Football @ Delta Woods 6/27, 7/11 $75.
Sports Camp @ W. Hernando Middle 6/27, 8/1 $75.
Soccer @ Ernie Wever 6/20 prices vary.
Softball(fast-pitch) @ Anderson Snow 6/20, 7/25 $75.
Pitching Clinic @ Anderson Snow 6/21, 7/26 $35.
Volleyball @ W. Hernando Middle 6/20, 7/11 $80.
*Golf @ The Heather TBD Call for info.
*Lacrosse @ Veterans Park TBD Call for info.
Camp registration is under way. A complete listing of the programs may be found online at www.hernandocounty.us/recreation/ the registration form is also available there.
Registration forms may be faxed, emailed or brought in to the HCRD office located at 205 E. Ft. Dade Ave., Brooksville, FL 34601.
For additional information, contact HCRD at 352-754-4031, via fax at 352-754-4415 or 754-4098 or online at [email protected]
Boating safety class
HERNANDO BEACH – Calling all boaters! The Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering its About Boating Safely course at 7 p.m. on June 21-23.
The About Boating Safely program teaches safe boating practices, use of safety equipment, navigation and Florida law. The 6-hour class will meet from 7-9 p.m. on June 21-23.
Florida law mandates that anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more complete a state approved safe boating course. Successful completion of About Boating Safely satisfies the state requirement.
About Boating Safely will be offered at the Flotilla’s training facility located at 4340 Calienta St. in Hernando Beach.
Registration takes place one half hour before the first class. To learn more about the Auxiliary’s Safe Boating Programs, please call Public Education Officer Jeffrey Hoff, at 352-397-5417. A complete listing of Auxiliary courses can be found at our website: /http://a0701508.uscgaux.info/.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary seeks new members
HERNANDO BEACH – The Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary is holding a meeting for new members at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 23 at the Flotilla’s Training Facility, 4340 Caliente Street in Hernando Beach.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard.
Membership in the Auxiliary is open to all U.S. citizens aged 17 and older. A basic background check is required. Training is provided and included in membership dues. Anyone interested in serving with the Auxiliary should bring proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate), a driver’s license and a check to cover the cost of annual dues to the new member’s meeting on June 23.
To learn more about the Coast Guard Auxiliary, please call Mary Meyers at 1-973-641-3869.
HCRD hosts church softball tourney
SPRING HILL – The Hernando County Recreation Department (HCRD) is hosting a church division softball tourney on Saturday, June 11.
To register, contact HCRD at 352-754-4031 and ask for Christie Williams or Harry Johnson.
Sheriff’s 11th annual Bowling Extravaganza set July 16
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Youth Education Services, Inc. will be hosting their 11th annual Bowling Extravaganza on July 16 at Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 Commercial Way (U.S. 19).
Sponsorships and pre-registrations are now being accepted. Any donated items that could be used as prizes are welcomed and all donors/sponsors will be recognized at the event.
Entry fee is $150 per team (includes four bowlers and a lane sponsorship, three games of bowling and shoe rental). Lane sponsorship is $100 (the names of all sponsors will be prominently displayed at the event). Team only is $75 per team (price includes 4 bowlers). Individual bowlers are $20 each.
Part of the proceeds from this annual event will benefit the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.), which is a non-profit organization that was formed to provide programs for the growing youth population. The programs offered teach the importance of being a good citizen and making the right choices throughout life.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Sue Raffensperger at the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office at 352-754-6830, Ext. 53660. A printable registration form is also available at www.hernandosheriff.org.
Charity golf tourney set Nov. 12
NEW PORT RICHEY – The Alzheimer’s Family Organization will hold its 11th annual charity golf tournament on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club. Last year, over $24,000 was raised to help individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families.
The Alzheimer’s Family Organization services the Central Florida area, including Hernando County. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has determined this region has over 100,000 Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.
For additional information, contact Community Services Director Coordinator Kathy Montero at 727-848-8888 or toll free at 1-888-496-8004.
Screaming Eagles football sign-ups
SPRING HILL – Spring Hill Athletic Association (SHAA) youth football league will be holding sign-ups from noon until 2 p.m. on June 25 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Registration forms will be provided at the field for children, ages are from 7-15 as of January 1, 2011. Players must have a copy of birth certificate and a current picture to turn in with registration.
Cost is $185. SHAA is a nonprofit developmental travel tackle football league.
For additional information, contact Will Thurmond at 352-279-5926.
McKethan Lake Firecracker Run set July 2
BROOKSVILLE – The Red Mule Runners Club is hosting the first McKethan Lake Firecracker Run beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 2 at McKethan Lake Park.
McKethan Lake Park is located approximately seven miles north of downtown Brooksville on U.S. 41. It is a scenic state park consisting of a flat, paved 5,000-meter course with large oak trees providing maximum shade.
Individual medals per race, per age group, will be awarded. Plaques for overall male and female, as well as masters for both male and female, will be awarded.
Men’s and women’s age groups are: 10 & Under, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+.
Saturday morning race-day registrations will begin at 6:30 a.m. The 5K entry fee per race is $20 on race day. The race will start at 8 a.m. T-shirts will be guaranteed to all runners. Proceeds will help support local high school summer running camps.
To register, or for additional information, contact Eric Milholland at 352-573-7731.
Do you live and breathe sports?
BROOKSVILLE – If you love sports – all kinds of athletics – perhaps you would like to write about local games for Hernando Today.
We are always looking for aspiring sports writers. You won’t make a lot of money, but you’ll attend games free and write a report on the game for publication.
Being a sports correspondent enables you to talk with the coaches and players.
If you’re not a journalist, we’ll help you tell your story so readers will understand the game.
We will give you tips on exciting sports writing style and story formatting.
Necessary tools?
Aspiring writers need a computer (preferably a laptop), a cell phone, dependable transportation and a willingness to learn.
If you are interested, talk with the sports editor, Tony Castro, by calling him at 352-544-5278.
St. Johns River State College baseball tryouts
PALATKA – St. Johns River State College will be holding baseball tryout camps open to all 2011-13 high school graduates.
Camps, each costing $50, are set for June 11 at Tindall Field, located on the school’s Palatka campus, 5001 St. Johns Ave.
Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. of each tryout date, with pitchers who elect to not participate in defensive and offensive tryouts registering at noon.
For more information, contact the St. Johns River baseball office at 386-312-4164 or email [email protected]. The registration form can be downloaded at www.sjrstate.edu/athletics.
Panther volleyball camp set June 27-30
BROOKSVILLE – The Panther Pride Volleyball Camp, for girls entering 6th-8th grades, will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon on June 27-30 at Powell Middle School’s gymnasium.
Campers will learn the fundamentals and skills of the game while having fun with their fellow campers.
The cost is $50 and each participant will receive a T-shirt.
Campers are asked to bring each day: knee pads, something to drink, sneakers and socks.
All money and forms must be turned in to Coach Dumas in Room 806 by June 8 (cash or checks – make checks payable to Powell Middle School).
All FHSAA forms are needed to participate including: consent form, copy of birth certificate, medical consent form, physical form and a copy of current health insurance. These forms can be obtained at www.fhsaa.org.
Panther football conditioning and basic skills camp on Aug. 1-11
BROOKSVILLE – Powell Middle School will conduct a football conditioning and basic skills camp on its football field from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 1-11.
Cost is a $40 non-refundable fee to attend the camp and is open to all Hernando County Middle School students. Proceeds from the camp will go to the Powell Middle School football program to be used for equipment, supplies and awards.
Each student/athlete must have completed county sports paperwork and a registration form filled out.
All student/athlete must provide their own transportation to and from camp (any student picked up more than 15 minutes late will be asked not to return).
Students should drink plenty of water before camp starts each day. Water will be available to students to keep them hydrated.
To register, or for additional information, contact Head Coach Ron Blackwell at 797-7095 ext. 227.
HYL Pop Warner football signups
BROOKSVILLE – Hernando Youth League (HYL) Pop Warner tackle football registration is available for children, ages 5-15, at Ernie Wever Youth Park from 9 a.m. until noon on June 11.
Registration forms are available at www.leaguelineup.com/hylfootball. Players must be present to register. Cost is $125.
HYL Pop Warner Football is a non-profit organization that provides football and cheer programs.
For additional information, contact Rick Hankins at 352-346-0000.
NCT hosts Youth Summer Basketball Camp
BROOKSVILLE – Nature Coast Technical High School will host a Youth Summer Basketball Camp, for children cages 5-13, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on June 20-23 and from July 25-28 at the Sharks’ gym.
Cost is $75 pr player.
To register, contact NCT Head Coach David Pisarcik at 727-385-2194.
