Community

Youth bowlers to compete for scholarships

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published December 14, 2007

The 15th annual S&J Scholarship Tournament is the highlight of the youth bowling season in Hernando County and has been for more than a decade.

Organized by Hernando County Youth Bowling Association President Sue Winnegar, the tournament provides scholarships to area youths. Last season, Central graduate Brandon Curley starred in the tournament by winning the A Division for the second consecutive season.

This weekend at Spring Hill Lanes, youth bowlers from around the county will compete for not only that scholarship, but one of the 24 guaranteed to be handed out on Sunday. Bowling is scheduled to begin at10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Entries will be accepted up until an hour before the second shift of the tournament begins at 1 p.m.

The entry fee is $35 per bowler and handicap will be assessed at 90 percent of a 220-average. To be fair to younger and less experienced bowlers, there will be three divisions. The A Division includes competitors with a 150-average or higher. The B Division will include averages from 101 to 149, and the C Division is for bowlers with averages of 100 and below.

Eight scholarships will be awarded per division with $500 going to the each division champion. Eighth place receives $50. All U.S. Bowling Congress Youth bowlers are eligible. The 2006-07 yearbook average will be used. If there is no 2006-07 yearbook average, the highest average from this season will be used.

Youth Tennis: Last weekend, a local tennis team coached by Lou Giglio competed at the USTA Florida State Sectional Championships in Ormond Beach.

The squad, which finished fourth overall, included both Pasco and Hernando county youth players competing on the courts at the Ormond Beach Tennis Center. The team included the following North Suncoast prospects: 17-year-old Ridgewood star Tamara Bustard, 17-year-old Hudson star Vanessa Demauri, 17-year-old River Ridge star Kristin Greenup, 18-year-old former Nature Coast star Jonathan Kidder and 17-year-old Nature Coast star Anthony Carter.

Volleyball: Saturday is spirit day for the Hernando Juniors Volleyball Club at Chick-fil-A on Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville.Whenever a customer goes through the drive-thru or orders at the counter and says the words "Hernando Juniors," 20 percent of that sale goes toward the volleyball club. Proceeds go toward season dues. The fundraiser will be from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Interested in playing? There is one opening for the 12 and under team, one spot on the 13 and under team, one spot on the 14 and under team and three spots open from ages 15-17. Visit www.hernandojuniors.com or call 352 666-5317 for more information.

Submit information to kdixon@sptimes.com or call (352) 544-9480.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 20:36:00]