Special Olympics holding regional golf tournament

The Washington Special Olympics Regional Golf Tournament will start at 9 a.m. at Meadow Park Golf Course in Lakewood today. The tournament will be attended by approximately 125 Special Olympians from all areas of Western Washington. Qualifiers from this tournament will proceed to the state tournament.

“We are proud to host the Special Olympians,” said Dan Harrington, Meadowpark PGA golf professional. “Meadowpark has a commitment to golfers of all abilities, this is one way we can serve the community.”

Special Olympics Washington (SOWA) provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. By participating in sports, physical fitness and healthcare education programs, Special Olympics Washington athletes increase self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills, and have better success in leading more productive and independent lives.

For information on SOWA, visit www.sowa.org.

• The SBA Buzz will be holding tryouts for their under-11 and U-14 baseball teams at 4 p.m. at Todd Beamer High School on Aug. 10. For more information, call Ty Kaufman at (253) 517-7257.

• SBI Rebels 12-and-under baseball club is holding tryouts on Aug. 9 at Service Club Field #1 in Kent at 5 p.m. and Aug. 16 at Russell Road Park #1 at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Steven Finch at (253) 217-1858 or sbibaseballclub@yahoo.com.

• The 14-under Seattle Baseball Academy Yankees are looking to add a few select players to their roster for the 2009 season. Tryouts will be held at 2 p.m. at Auburn Riverside High School on Aug. 16. For more information, contact Rod Robinson at (253) 335-2040 or rod.robinson@comcast.net. Additional information is available at www.eteamz.com/sba_yankees

• The under-14 SBA Bruins will hold baseball tryouts at noon at Kentlake High School today and at noon at Thomas Jefferson High School on Aug. 16. For more information, contact Randy Elliot at (253) 318-1418.

• The three horses who have dominated Emerald Downs’ handicap division this year – Chhaya Dance, Nationhood and Wasserman – are among 29 nominees for the $300,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 17.

Three Sisters Stable’s Chhaya Dance, owned by Ron Judy of Seattle and trained by Mike Chambers, has a 1-1-2 record from four stakes-race starts. Cander Racing’s Nationhood, owned by Brad and Lisa Cassidy and Del and Nancy Anderson of Kirkland and trained by Chambers, is 2-0-0 in four stakes-race appearances. Owned and trained by Howard Belvoir, Wasserman is 2-1-0 in five outings.

Chambers and Northern California-based Jerry Hollendorfer lead the trainers with four nominees each. In addition to Nationhood and Chhaya Dance, Chambers also conditions nominees Lord Avalon and Maxey Boy for Judy. Hollendorfer, who won the 2004 Mile with Adreamisborn, trains nominees Blue Exit, Our Partner, Putmeinyourwill and Saratoga’s Magic.

A part owner of Our Partner, Putmeninyourwill and Saratoga’s Magic is George Todaro.

Weights are to be assigned the nominees by Emerald racing secretary Brett Anderson by Saturday. The 12 highest-weighted horses entered will be preferred in the draw for post positons, scheduled Aug. 13.

• The Federal Way School District sign program is entering its second year. Advertising banners may be placed at Federal Way Memorial Field or in secondary schools. Each banner costs $500. For more information, contact Greg Flynn at gflynn@fwps or call (253) 945-5575.

• The Federal Way under-11 Storm program is in need of a few boys soccer players. The Storm is currently seeking players to fill out rosters on the following teams: Storm 97 White, Storm 97 Black, Storm 98 Platinum, and Storm 98 Silver. If your son is interested in playing in the 97 program, he must not be older than 11 years of age. For further information, contact Eric Poorvielt at (206) 353-3517. If your son is 10 years old and interested in playing at a competitive level of soccer, contact John Yorke at jyorke3@aol.com.

• The Tacoma-Pierce County Volleyball Officials Board is in need of individuals who are interested in officiating middle school, junior high, senior high, college, and recreation department volleyball matches throughout Pierce County. A comprehensive training program, starting Aug. 25, is offered for all new officials and the opportunities to advance in the organization are extensive.

For students, retirees, or former athletes looking to re-connect with a sport, officiating high school and middle school sports is also an excellent way to earn some extra income and provide a great service to the teams. Registration is due no later than Aug. 22.

For additional information on becoming a volleyball official, visit www.tpcvob.com or contact Marc Blau at (253) 848-1360 or blaumarc@qwest.net or John Wohn at (253) 272-8543 or jwohn@yahoo.com.

• The Western Washington Football Officials Association is looking for candidates to begin officiating in the 2008 season. No experience is necessary and officials are paid. Training meetings will begin on July 29. For more information, call Jan Wolcott at (253) 826-2460 or e-mail jswol@comcast.net.

• Water Polo has returned to the Marine Hills Pool. Marine Hills Pool brings water polo to boys and girls ages 8 to 18, who are able to swim 50 yards.

Practices are held at the pool Mondays and Wednesdays from 8 to 9:30 p.m. with preseason scrimmages scheduled for Saturday mornings. Regular season play begins in August. Coach Peter Larsen is currently offering a free two-day trial to anyone interested in learning more about the sport. The water polo team is open to the public.

The Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club is located at 600 S. 302nd St. in the Marine Hills neighborhood.

For more information, call the Marine Hills Swim and Tennis Club at (253) 839-4960 or visit the Web site at www.marinehillspool.org.

• Thirty-five stakes races worth over $2.3 million will be run at Emerald Downs in Auburn, including the $300,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 17. The minimum stakes purse is a record $50,000, up from $45,000 last year.

During live racing (April 18-September 28), the $5 fee includes access to the first five levels of the stadium, the Paddock and Park. Kids 17 and under get in free and kids 13 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian. You must be 18+ to wager.

Preferred parking is $5, while valet parking is $10. Parking in the general lot is free.

Live racing will take place Friday through Sunday through April 25 and will switch from Thursday through Sunday through Sept. 28. Racing starts at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 2 p.m. on weekends.

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