Sidelines: Highlands Golf Course ready to re-open

+ Highlands Golf Course ready to re-open
The Highlands Golf Course, part of The Meadows Country Club, will hold its grand re-opening July 5 through July 7.

The course recently underwent a complete restoration of its greens.

The course offers a unique blend of Old Florida-style golfing mixed with modern technology. The Highlands Golf Course is the only local semi-private course in the area with GPS-equipped golf carts, which provide a 3-D image of the hole. The GPS displays hazards and yardage information.

“We are incredibly excited about this event and can’t wait to show golfers the results of the complete overhaul of our greens,” says Doug Domino, general manager of The Meadows.

During the grand re-opening, afternoon tee times, including carts, will start at $15; morning tee times will cost $25. Dollar hotdogs, dollar draft beers and free soft drinks also will be available.
In addition, there will be contests and drawings for prizes, including a summer golf membership to The Meadows Country Club, every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guests also can enter to win an X-Hot Callaway driver.

The Highlands Golf Course is a par 72 semi-private championship course. For more information, call 371-0982.

+ Local golfers tee off in summer series
The Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association held the third of its Summer Series events June 24, at the Riverwood Golf Club in Charlotte County.

Ronnie Johnson shot a 72 to earn medalist honors.

Individual results include:
Girls 12 and Under
Alyssa Mercado (87)

Girls 13-15
Nicole Polivchak (80)

Lexi Murphy (93)

Girls 16-18
Lexi Flerlage (85, won a three-hole playoff)

Yumi Fujii (85)

Boys 12 and Under
Matthew de Heus (84)

Boys 13-15
Ron Johnson (72)

Jeovani Veloz (74)

Boys 16-18
Ben Miller (74)

Yuku Fujii (79)

Boys Collegiate
Brian Eidelbus (82)

Girls Futures Tour 10 and Under
Jordan Golden (54)

Taylor Golden (56)

Girls Futures Tour 11 and Over
Becky Davis (46)

Boys Futures 10 and Under
Joey Winter (37)
David Del Purgatorio (44)
Aaron Setiawan (50)

Boys Future 11 and Over
Jonah Winter (39)

Josh Kopczynski (46)

Braden Macey (47)

Players will return to action July 1, at Pelican Pointe Golf & Country Club.

+ Youth basketball league coming this fall
The Manatee County Parks and Recreation Department recently announced the formation of its 2013 Fall Youth Basketball League.

The recreational league, open to all children ages 5 to 17, will focus on teaching the importance of fundamentals and teamwork in a fun environment.

The department will host a three-week camp, beginning Aug. 5, before teams begin practicing. Practices tentatively are scheduled to begin Sept. 3, with games beginning Sept. 14.

Registration is $65 per child and includes a team jersey. Teams will play an eight-game regular season, followed by a single-elimination playoff tournament. All games will be played at the G.T. Bray Gymnasium.

Registration will run through July 31, at the G.T. Bray Park Recreation Center, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton, or online at www.mymanatee.org/parks.

For more information, contact Ashley D’Arpino at 742-5923, Ext. 6062.

+ Cal Ripken 12U team wins title
The Manatee Cal Ripken 12U All-Star team captured its second-consecutive district title June 15 through June 16.
Manatee opened the tournament with a 17-6 victory over Sarasota. Wesley Coleman hit a two-run home run and later hit a grand slam in the same inning, to cap off an 11-run inning for Manatee.

Manatee followed up its win with a 14-3 victory over Fossil Park, to advance to the championship game. It beat Sarasota 13-0.
Collin Goda hit a grand slam in the second inning to power Manatee at the plate in the championship game.

“It was an absolute team effort,” coach Scott Kolbe says. “Every player contributed to our success. In fact, we pounded out 44 runs on 27 hits in three games. We worked the counts well, and our approach at the plate was perfect.”

With the win, Manatee will advance to the state tournament July 11 through July 15, in Sanford.

Championship players include: Hunter Smith, Tyler Reed, Anthony Squitieri, Mason Kolbe, Rob Arakel, Ian McLean, Daniel Davidson, Hunter Bogumil, Caleb Whitson, John DiPasqua, Wesley and Collin.