An 18-and-under tennis team representing Central Georgia took home the USTA Southern Section Championship last week in Mobile, Ala. Head coach Dawann Smith led the seven-member team. On their way to victory, the Central Georgia team defeated opposing teams from nine other states. What’s up next on the docket you ask? From Oct. 30 until Nov. 2 the team will be back in Mobile, this time competing in The United States Tennis Association 18 and Under National Championships.
Saturday marked the end of the 2008 Georgia Senior Championship held at Marshwood Course at The Landings. In impressive fashion, Columbus native Bill Ploeger shot a 2-under final-round 70 for a 4-under 213 total and the Georgia Senior Championship. No rookie to such winning, the victory was Ploeger’s first Georgia State Golf Association Senior title since 1999, but was his fourth overall, tying him with 2007 champion Spencer Sappington for the most titles. As for the tournament’s lowest score, Savannah native Mike Cohen was responsible, shooting a 67 on the final day to score a 5-over 221.
HUNTING SEASON
Exciting news for all you hunters surfaced last week when the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division announced early hunting seasons for some species of waterfowl would open soon. Under the new format, Georgia’s early waterfowl hunting opportunities will include a teal hunting season (Sept. 20-28) and an extended September season for Canada geese (Sept. 6-28). Hunting season for all ducks will be open from Nov. 22-30 and from Dec. 6-Jan. 25. As for all you aspiring hunters, licenses may be purchased at www.gohuntgeorgia.com.
It’s often nice to see people receive a second, or even third, chance in life and, while many have grown tired of Adam “Pacman” Jones and all his off-the-field issues over the last few years, this writer was glad to see him get back on the right path last week when the NFL announced last week he has been cleared to play for the Dallas Cowboys. A great talent on the field, until now, the Atlanta native has earned his fame mostly through his legal troubles. Now, the former Westlake High School cornerback will get another chance to earn headlines for his play on the field rather than off it. Jones was traded to Dallas in April and was allowed to join the team in training camp and for preseason games.
PELICANS CLINCH
On Sunday, despite a 6-3 home loss to the Kinston Indians, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, an Atlanta Braves Single-A affiliate, clinched the Carolina League’s Southern Division with an 88-51 record. The division title represented the first Myrtle Beach has earned since 2000. In addition, the team’s manager, Rocket Wheeler, also won the award for Manager of the Year when the circuit released its postseason All-Star roster last week. The All-Star squad itself was full of Pelicans, with five members from the team making the roster: Tyler Flowers, Ernesto Mejia, Travis Jones, Brandon Hicks, and Willie Cabrera. Myrtle’s division crown marks the first playoff appearance for the Pelicans since 2002.
In other Braves-related news, balloting for the 2009 Ford C. Frick Award began Sept. 1 and will honor a select few for their broadcasting excellence. Among the names on the list, fans will recognize Pete Van Wieren, Ernie Johnson and the late Skip Caray, in particular. Once the balloting is complete, the top three vote-getters will automatically qualify for the 10-member ballot that will be formulated by a 20-member committee and announced on Oct. 6. The winner of the award will be announced Dec. 9 at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas and will receive the award during the induction ceremony July, 26, 2009, at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. Fans may vote for up to three of their favorite broadcasters on the ballot.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
