Published: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 / Updated: Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 11:49 AM
Golf tourney to launch York’s Summerfest
YORK --
The success of the big sports weekend coinciding with York’s Aug. 25 Summerfest attraction reflects the enormous appeal of the community’s annual celebration of summer.
Kicking off the sports extravaganza will be the Aug. 24 Summerfest Golf Tournament, a sponsorship of the Bank of York for the 26th consecutive year. The two-man captain’s choice event begins with a noon shotgun start at York’s Spring Lake Country Club.
Participation has been heavy over the years, with more of the same expected for the popular event held the day before Summerfest.
“We’d like for participants to submit entries by Aug. 17,” said Karl Munn, senior credit officer for the Bank of York. “There were a lot of entries the final week last year, especially local golfers who enjoy the tournament.”
Many golfers from the York and Clover communities frequent the event, and there is sizable representation from Rock Hill. The field is limited to the first 64 teams, or 128 participants. USGA rules apply, with handicaps to be verified by tournament organizers.
This year’s grand prize includes accommodations for four at the Sands Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach, three rounds of golf and $250 cash, compliments of the Bank of York.
Tournament applications are available at the Greater York Chamber of Commerce, Spring Lake Country Club and the Bank of York.
Prospective tournament participants can download an applicaton form at the chamber’s website: greateryorkchamber.com. Munn is the application contact person. He can be reached at 684-2265.
Tennis tournament
The day before The Summerfest sports agenda also includes a three-day USTA Tennis Tournament Aug. 24 to 26 at the plush York Comprehensive High School courts.
York attorney Jim Bradford, an avid promoter of tennis in western York County, praises the tennis facilities at YCHS. “The high school courts in York are as good as any public tennis facility in the state,” said Bradford.
He said the Summerfest Tennis Tournament no longer conflicts with other USTA events in the state.
This year’s events, with USTA ratings points include:
• Men’s open singles and doubles, 3.0-4.5; women’s singles and doubles, 2.5-4.5; mixed doubles, 3.5-5.0 (no combination higher than 9.0.)
Seniors 50 and over events:
• Men’s singles, 3.0-4.0; women’s singles, 2.5-4.0; combo mixed doubles, 6.0-9.0.
Online registration is available at the USTA website: http:/tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments. The tournament ID number is 704106512. The key word is York Summerfest.
The deadline for online registration is Aug. 19. Bradford said participants in last year’s event had to contend with typical late August heat and stiff winds.
Contact Kim Ozmon, tournament director, at rhtc10s@cityofrockhill.com. Participants also can contact Ozmon at 803-326-3842.
Also, visit the Greater York Chamber website: info@greateryorkchamber.com.
The number to call at the Greater York Chamber office is 684-2590.
10k, 5k and Fun Runs
Angie Covington, a dedicated road race participant and organizer of the much-anticipated 10k and 5k runs, learned a lot about the widespread appeal of the events during last year’s Summerfest attraction.
She underestimated the race day registration numbers. “Registration was heavy race day morning,” Covington said. “We ended up with 170 participants.”
Covington wasted little time alleviating the problem. Registration for the 5k, 10k and Fun Run will begin at 7 a.m. the moring of Summerfest, Aug. 25.
“We will have three lines for participants to register this year,” noted Covington. “I learned my lesson the hard way. I was worried about the turnout last year, but we had an impressive race day signup and overall participation was good.”
Covington said the numer of out-of-town participants indicates the appeal of the road race.
“Visitors from out of town find out about the race and register that morning,” she said. “We had participants last year from throughout South Carolina and North Carolina and as far away as Ohio.”
All three Summerfest runs will originate from York McCelvey Center’s East Jefferson Street, with the 5K and 10k runs beginning at 8 a.m. and the Fun Run slated for a 9 a.m. start.
With late August heat often reaching excessive numbers, water stations will be located along the course route.
Covington, who has given the 5K and 10K courses a trial run, said the runs pose a challenge, especially the 10k. “It’s not for the meek,” she said.
Race participants who want a T-shirt should sign up by Aug. 20, she said.
Those willing to volunteer their time or need more information about the event can contact Covington online: angelocovington72@wahoo.com.
Softball attracts teams
The widespread appeal of the Summerfest Softball Tournament, which begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 25, has been a constant since the early 90’s. And this year is no exception.
The annual event unfolds at the York Recreation Complex.
“A lot of teams sign up the week of the tournament,” said Dale Percival of the York Parks and Recreation Department.
“We’ve always had good participation from York County,” he said. “There have been teams from Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia and other areas of the state.”
The Summerfest tournament has been expanded in recent years to include men’s open and adult coed play. The registration deadline is Aug. 22. The entry fee is $250 per team.
Trophies will be presented at the conclusion of the tournament, which usually is 10 p.m. or later, depending on how the schedule of games play out. Prizes will include softball bats and pullover shirts.
Contact the York Recreation Center for more information pertaining to the annual softball tournament. The number to call is 684-3742.
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