Between the Lines 20140325
Bowling scores
SPRING HILL – Honor scores continue to pile up among Hernando County bowler this season.
Since the calendar turned to 2014, 300 games have been bowled at Spring Hill Lanes by James Emanuelson (Jan. 12), Jack Pirtle (Jan. 19) and Kevin Humble (Jan. 19), all in the Florida State Senior Tournament, as well as Anthony Caso (Jan. 21, Mike’s Auto Body League), Bob Brusati (Feb. 4, Mike’s Auto Body), Chris Stevens (Feb. 11, Mike’s Auto Body), Greg Lynch (Feb. 21, T.G.I.F.) and Eric Martins (March 4, Mike’s Auto Body).
Butch McCleary in the T.G.I.F. on Jan. 10, as well Jeffrey Thomas Jan. 18 and Marty Rising Jan. 25 in the Florida State Senior Tournament all had 290 games featuring 11 strikes in a row.
Alfred Brown rolled 11 in a row for a 297 on Jan. 25 in that state tournament.
Also at Spring Hill Lanes, 800 series were rolled by Rich Garner (812, Jan. 17, T.G.I.F.), Dennis Rakauskas (806, Jan. 26, Florida State Senior Tournament) and Caso (835, Jan. 21, and 836, Feb. 25, both Mike’s Auto Body).
At Mariner Lanes, several bowlers have recently notched a 300 including Chris Bernhardt Jr. (Dec. 30, Coca-Cola Classic), Ryan Erbe (Jan. 24, Friday Early Mariners), Bob Zachmann (Jan. 13, Coca-Cola Classic), Anthony Oliver (Jan. 17, Friday Early Mariners), Victor Oliver (Feb. 19, Sea Creatures) and David Reid (March 5, Seacreatures).
Spooky Block had a 290 on Dec. 20 in the Friday Early Mariners, as did Robert Rios in that same league Jan. 3, and Anthony Oliver Jan. 13, Ray Viverios Jan. 27 and Jay Olsen March 3 in the Coca-Cola Classic.
Darian Curtis collected a pair of 298 games in consecutive weeks in the Friday Early Mariners, Feb. 21 and 28. Erbe posted a 299 Jan. 31 in that league.
That same night Erbe tallied an 806 series and Curtis bowled an 822 on March 2.
Powell vs. Sheriffs hoops contest
SPRING HILL – Powell Middle School’s varsity boys basketball team, the Hernando County Middle School Athletic Conference champions, will take on members of the Hernando County’s Sheriff’s Department Thursday at 6 p.m.
The game will be held at the Powell gym. Admission is $3 with all proceeds benefitting the Powell boys basketball program.
For more information, call the school at (352) 797-7095.
Weeki Wachee High golf outing
WEEKI WACHEE – On April 12, Weeki Wachee High will hold its fourth annual golf outing at 8 a.m. at Brooksville County Club.
There will be opportunities to drive away in a new car from Rick Matthews and/or a Harley Davidson at two hole-in-one contests. There will also be closest to the pin and longest drive contests.
Lunch will be provided by Texas Roadhouse. There will also be a raffle with prizes available after the outing.
The cost is $90 per person or $325 per foursome. All proceeds will go to the Weeki Wachee High athletic department.
For more information, contact athletic director Mark Lee at (352) 797-7029 or [email protected].
Firearms safety classes
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is offering several firearms safety classes over the next few months.
The class dates include April 2, April 19, May 7, May 17 and June 4. A special “ladies only” firearms safety course will be held on Saturday and June 21.
All classes are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hernando Sportsman’s Club, 16121 Commercial Way.
This is an introductory “First Steps” orientation class for new shooters. The courses cover lessons about the basics of firearms safety around the home; intro to pistol safety, parts and operation; intro to ammo and the fundamentals of pistol shooting; intro to pistol shooting from the seated and standing position; and intro to pistol cleaning and storage.
The classes include instruction, live-fire training on the range and a lunch break. All materials and equipment needed for the class and live-fire training is provided to students, including the use of a .22-caliber firearm, ammo, earplugs and eye protection.
The cost is $60. Successful completion of this class also provides required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed carry permit if desired.
Pre-registration is required. Please call (352) 597-9931 to preregister.
For information on the club, visit www.hernandosportsmansclub.com.
Gymnastics Fun Day
BROOKSVILLE – GymFUNactics Booster Club, Inc. is inviting all Hernando County students to its yearly, free Fun Day, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will be held at 3208 Premier Dr. in Brooksville, in the Regent Oaks Plaza on Spring Hill Drive.
For more information, call Top Contenders Gymnastics at (352) 593-4910.
Tennis Play Day
CLEARWATER – One of the largest annual Tennis Play Days in the U.S. will again entertain families and youth in the Tampa area when the Suncoast Tennis Foundation, USTA Florida, Advantage Yours Tennis and the City of Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department host a Tennis Play Day on April 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater.
In addition to racquet play-testing opportunities from Babolat, Dunlop, Head, Prince, Volkl, Asics and Wilson, other activities will include free tennis lessons from area teaching professionals, special promotions and discounts for participants including a free $10 gift card from Advantage Yours Tennis for the first 100 registered players, food and drinks, prizes and more.
Parents can also learn about local club programs, ROGY Tennis (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow ball progression) events, area USTA Florida Kids Team Tennis Challenges and more.
The Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex is located at 1000 Edenville Ave.
For more information, contact Judy Foster at (727) 725-3681 or Advantage Yours Tennis at (727) 442-7923, or visit the Suncoast Tennis Foundation website at www.ourtennis.net.
Sunshine State Games online registration opens
TALLAHASSEE – As the Sunshine State Games celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2014, athletes are now able to log on and register online and pay their entry fees.
Online registration is now open for select events, including the two multi-sport festivals in Sarasota and Polk County, at www.flasports.com.
Competition information and online registration is now open for the following Sunshine State Games events:
Sunshine State Games Basketball Championships, May 9-11
Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships, Ellenton Ice Complex, May 16-18
Sunshine State Games Lacrosse Series Broward County, May 16-18
Sunshine State Games Lacrosse Series Sarasota County, June 7-8
Sunshine State Games Sarasota County Festival, June 6-8
Sunshine State Games Polk County Festival, June 21-22
Sunshine State Games Water Polo Championships, June 27-29
Entry fees vary by sport and registration deadlines are approximately two weeks prior to the competition date.
The Sarasota County Festival features competition in 10 sports: archery, canoe/kayak, disc golf, lacrosse, paddle board, racquetball, rowing, rugby, synchronized swimming and ultimate.
The Polk County Festival offers seven sports: fencing, judo, karate, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting and wrestling.
Nearly 5,000 amateur athletes are expected to compete in the two multi-sport festivals in June.
Look for upcoming information about the following 2014 Sunshine State Games events:
Sunshine State Games Artistic Roller Skating Championships, May 10-11
Sunshine State Games Swimming Championships, June 6-8
Sunshine State Games Track and Field Championships, June 21
Sunshine State Games Badminton Championships, June 28-29
Sunshine State Games Grass Volleyball Series, August-November
For more information, visit www.flasports.com.
Project Appleseed rifle marksmanship clinic
BROOKSVILLE – The Project Appleseed marksmanship clinics will be held April 19 and May 10-11 at the Hernando Sportsman’s Club, located at 16121 Commercial Way (U.S. Hwy. 19).
Registration begins at 8 a.m. The clinic starts at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 5 p.m.
Project Appleseed is an activity of The Revolutionary War Veterans Association and dedicated to teaching every American our shared heritage and history as well as traditional rifle marksmanship skills. The Revolutionary War Veterans Association is a non-profit organization operated by volunteer instructors.
Their heritage program vividly portrays the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Modern listeners are confronted with the danger, the fear, and the heartbreaking separations that arose out of the choices made on April 19, 1775. They are also reminded of the marksmanship skills and masterful organization that ultimately helped set the colonists on the path to success. Those who attend gain a better understanding of the fundamental choices faced by our ancestors as they began to set the stage for the nation we now enjoy.
Participants are taught fundamental rifle marksmanship skills that allow a rifleman to be accurate out to 400 yards, with iron sights, standard rifle and surplus ammo. Most of the instruction at a Project Appleseed event is conducted on the firing range at 25 meters, at reduced-size targets to simulate 100 to 400 yards. Students will learn safe gun handling, proper use of a sling and Revolutionary War history.
Please bring ear/eye protection, rifle with sling and ammo, rifle mat, bug repellent, hat, sunscreen, a packed lunch, snacks and drinks. Please bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Food and beverages are also available for purchase for lunch in the clubhouse.
A .22-caliber rifle is recommended due to the cost of ammo, but a centerfire rifle can be used if preferred. About 250 rounds of ammo will be needed per day.
Marksmanship Clinic fees are $40 one day/$60 two days for men, $15 one day/$20 two days for women, $10 one day/$20 two days for youth age 18 and under, or one free youth per paying adult, male or female.
Active military, Guard and Reserve, law enforcement officers with ID, disabled, elected officials and Revolutionary re-enactors in costume are free. Additional club range fees of $14 per day apply for adults and children age 12 and older.
To register online, go to www.appleseedinfo.org. For more information, contact Trey Dawson at (727) 452-4650 or [email protected].
Alumni football games
BROOKSVILLE – Gridiron Alumni is attempting to organize several full-contact alumni football games throughout the region, including Hernando County.
Gridiron Alumni travels the nation pitting old football rivals against each other one more time. Hundreds of players and thousands of fans have swarmed stadiums to watch their hometown heroes strap it on one more time.
Gridiron Alumni is targeting teams like Central, Hernando, Hernando Christian Academy, and many others. Players from the area are invited to register to play.
Players are needed to sign up for their alma mater and the first 40 players on each team get to play. The team that gets 30 people registered first gets home-field advantage.
The games are set for the spring. To register, visit www.gridironalumni.com.
For more information, call Chris Hall at (530) 410-6396 or go to the website.
4-H Benefit Trap Tournament
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is hosting a 4-H Benefit Trap Tournament on April 5, at the club’s trap range, located at 16121 Commercial Way.
All proceeds are to benefit the youth of the Hernando Sportsman’s 4-H Club.
The trap tournament consists of four rounds of 25 shots each, for a total of 100 shots. Trophies will be awarded from three categories: youth, adult and senior. The winner is determined by most targets hit.
Cost is $40 per trap shooter, $35 if preregistered by Thursday. Lunch is provided to all participants.
Registration for shooters begins at 8 a.m. Shooting will start at 9 a.m. Please bring your own shotgun, ammo and lawn chair.
For more information, contact Ken at (352) 797-0409.
Hurricane Golf Tour
JACKSONVILLE – The Hurricane Golf Tour will kick off its inaugural season May 17-18, with the Hurricane Amateur Kickoff at Grande Pines Golf Club in Orlando.
The tournament is open to all amateur golfers of any age and skill set. This will be the first test for those on the HAGT, and the first opportunity to gain an invitation to the National Tour Championship in Orlando that takes place in December.
Players will also be competing for the $2,000 total prize purse, where the top three finishers from each flight will be awarded, regardless of field size.
The two-day, 36-hole tournament will begin with Round 1 on May 17, followed by the unique “19th Hole” dinner. The dinner will allow the players to dine with their competitors and Round 1 awards will be handed out, as well.
The registration fee for members is $260, and includes both rounds of golf and the dinner.
For more information, visit [email protected].
The Hurricane Junior Golf Tour heads down to Tampa when its travels to The Claw at USF, on April 5-6.
The College Prep Series at USF will be ranked by the Junior Golf Scoreboard and will be a GolfWeek/Titlest Ranked tournament. The tournament is open to boy and girl golfers between the ages of 11-18.
There’s a lot up for grabs at The Claw, as well. With the new AJGA Performance Based Entry for the 2014 season, all four age divisions are eligible to receive AJGA Performance Stars as long as the specific field requirements are met.
In addition, winners in all divisions will receive an invite to the HJGT’s 2014 Tour Championship and Mid-Seasonal Invitational. Top 15 finishers will earn valuable points for end of the year honors, including the inaugural Hurricane Cup.
The College Prep Series at USF will be a 36-hole stroke play event. The first round will begin that Saturday with a double tee start running from 10 a.m. to noon. The final round will also have a double tee start that Sunday with times ranging from 8 to 10 a.m.
The registration fee is $185 for members and $215 for non-members.
For more information, visit www.hjgt.org/basic-membership/.
The Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour will open its 2014 schedule this summer with a brand new format and prizes.
The Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour is a collegiate-level golf tour open to male and female golfers age 18-23, with tournaments being played on some of the best courses across the country.
The tour provides collegiate golfers, those preparing for collegiate golf, as well as non-collegiate golfers a chance to play in prestigious tournaments with a college tournament atmosphere.
Membership to the tour is free, and entitles the player to access to all 28 tournaments this summer. The top male and female finishers at the end of the season will receive a free exemption to the 2014 Dixie Amateur in Coral Springs, one of the biggest amateur golf tournaments in the country.
Top finishers are determined using a points system. Points are awarded to the top five male and female finishers at each tour event. First place receives 100 points, second place receives 80 points, third place receives 60 points, fourth place receives 40 points and fifth place receives 20 points.
The top three male and female finishers in each event will receive a gift card to the Hurricane Tour Shop. The winner will receive a $200 gift card, second place will receive a $150 gift card, and third place will receive a $75 gift card.
The Hurricane Tour Shop sells the latest golf gear at discount prices, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and TaylorMade.
With events scheduled in 10 different states (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey) the Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour will offer players the opportunity to test their skills across state lines.
The Hurricane Collegiate Golf Tour will begin its season May 29 with tournaments at Fowler’s Mill Golf Course in Chesterland, Ohio, and Hunter’s Green Country Club in Tampa.
The tour’s 28 tournaments will span almost three months, with the tour championship taking place Aug. 14-15 at Legends Course at Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee.
For more information, visit www.hurricanetour.com or call (904) 379-2697.
Bully awareness, self-defense
WEEKI WACHEE – Mang Ho Martial Arts, the Black Dragon Fighting Society and Tone U Fitness Center have teamed up to offer a free bully awareness program every Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
This program is designed for kids who are being or have been bullied, as well as their parents and those who suspect bullying is occurring.
Parents will learn the signs that indicate their child is a victim of bullying. Children will learn to not be afraid to tell a friend, parent, teacher or person of authority that they are being bullied.
The class will offer effective ways to communicate with each other at school or in the workplace to stop bullying.
This program is modeled after the award-winning book “Spirit of the Tiger,” written by Soke Jay Blanton about his own struggles and triumphs with bullying.
The program will be held at Tone U Fitness Center located at 6254 Commercial Way. Space is limited.
Also, self-defense classes are held throughout the week as follows: senior self-defense, Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m.; adult karate (ages 13 and up), Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.; self-defense, Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m.; and women’s self-defense, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
For more information, contact Master Robert Blanton at (352) 345-1292 or Tone U Fitness at (352) 596-9996.
Youth flag football, soccer and T-Ball
BROOKSVILLE – This year i9 Youth Sports is offering flag football (ages 5-14), soccer (ages 3-13) and T-ball (ages 3-7) for boys and girls in Hernando County.
All programs are on Saturdays at Chocachatti Elementary School, with the spring season starting this weekend.
No mandatory fundraising or volunteering, and everyone plays (no tryouts). Coaches are screened and certified, and games are played in a safe and instructive environment.
For more information, or to register, go to www.i9sports.com or call (352) 544-2995 Monday through Friday.
New archery program at Sportsman’s Club
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is pleased to announce a new archery program. The 50-yard range will be open to the public for general archery practice on the second Sunday of each month.
No crossbows are allowed and no broad heads. Field points only.
The club will also be soon offering the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Online Archery Program’s field-day exercises of their online archery class. This hands-on field-day exercise includes lessons on bow setup and shooting, field walks, blood-trail exercises, erecting and safely ascending and descending from tree stands, as well as equipment preparation and survival techniques.
For more information, or sign up and take the online archery class, visit www.myfwc.org/hunting/safety-education/bowhunter.
For further information, contact the club at (352) 597-9931 or visit www.hernandosportsmansclub.com.
Girls Night Out trap shoot group
BROOKSVILLE – The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is pleased to announce a new “Girls Night Out” trap shooting group.
The ladies trap shooting group will meet the first Thursday night of the month at the trap range, from 6 to 8 p.m.
For those who have never tried out trap shooting or don’t have their own shotgun, the club will be providing 20-gauge shotguns for the ladies group to use.
For those using a club shotgun, be sure to bring at least two boxes of 20-gauge ammo, ear plugs and eye protection. You may use your own shotgun, too.
The trap range fee is $5 for members/$8 for non-members for two games of trap.
The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is located at 16121 Commercial Way (U.S. 19) in Brooksville.
For more information, contact the club at (352) 597-9931, visit www.hernandosportsmansclub.com or the club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hernando-Sportsmans-Club/181824431850883.
J.C. Karate offering classes
RIDGE MANOR – J.C. Karate is currently offering classes starting for only $30 a month.
Come out and train under Soke Master Jason P. Chase Sr., a two-time Triple Crown state champion and 2011 National Instructor of the Year, with no hidden fees or surprise costs, in a family-friendly environment where character development and life skills along with martial arts training will taught.
J.C. Karate is located in Ridge Manor at 31162 Cortez Blvd., in the Winn-Dixie plaza, or in Brooksville at 22293 Cortez Blvd., at the Brooksville Dance Academy.
For more information, contact (352) 467-0506 or [email protected].
Tennis camp and classes
SPRING HILL – Ace Performance Tennis is offering Quick Start Drills Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Delta Woods Park.
The cost is $10.00 per class. Drills and games are designed for beginning players using the USTA-approved strategies for 60-foot court players.
Learn to play tennis quickly with age- and size-appropriate equipment and modified courts.
Additionally, Ace Performance Tennis is offering a Ladies Night Out, Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Delta Woods Park.
The cost is $10 per class. Women of beginning and intermediate skill levels will learn to play in a fun social setting.
For more information on the camp and classes, contact John or Louise Downey at (352) 666-0658 or www.louisedowney.usptapro.com.
