Watervliet Press Box by John Oliphant

Watervliet Fall Sports gearing up

We’ve reached the slow season for Watervliet sports as all the recreational baseball and softball teams are done for the year and high school fall sports haven’t begun official full-team practices yet. That doesn’t mean nothing is happening, in fact far from it.

The football team has partnered with the wrestling team on a summer weightlifting program offering several workouts each week. The cross-country teams have been on their summer training schedule for a while now, getting into shape and allowing new team members to work on their endurance. The volleyball teams have been busy with camps and small-group workouts as well. The cheerleaders are attending camps and preparing for what they hope will be a long 2019 football season.

The Watervliet Athletic Department never rests for more than a week or two, and already they’ve put together full schedules for the middle school and high school fall sports. All of those schedules are online now at www.wpspanthers.com.

Panther Football VIP Memberships

The Watervliet football program will once again give Panther fans the opportunity to become a part of the VIP Football Press Box Club. Membership comes with several benefits, including admission for the member(s) (two total) to each home regular season varsity and JV game, indoor press box seating, dinner in the press box for varsity games, and two Panther Football t-shirts.

Becoming a Press Box Club VIP costs $100 for the entire regular season, and is a great way to show your Panther Pride! To become a member, or for more information, contact Coach Josh Tremblay at jtremblay@watervietps.org.

Trent McKinney Golf Fundraiser

The 8th annual Trent McKinney Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, August 10, beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Pipestone Creek Golf Course. The outing is held annually to raise money for the Trent McKinney Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Watervliet wrestling program. Cost to participate is $65 per person. Carts and a steak dinner are included. The deadline to register for this year’s event is August 4.

To register, contact Travis McKinney at 269-308-1177 or travisc.mckinney@gmail.com. Or you may contact Nicole McKinney at 269-308-1176 or niki.mckinney@gmail.com.

In addition to the golf, there will be a silent auction, prize drawings, and a 50/50 drawing. For anyone interested in donating items for the auction or drawings, or would like to sponsor a hole please contact Nicole McKinney or one of the Watervliet wrestling team members or coaches.

Panther boys soccer startup

The new kid on the Panther block in 2019 is boys soccer. A local group of parents and athletes have been lobbying the school to offer soccer to boys for several years, and their efforts finally paid dividends. After a lot of hard work and alignment of the necessary stars they were able to make it happen this year.

The key was the work done by the parents’ group, headed up by Tom Isbrecht and Doug Bornas along with heavy support from Angie Gutierrez. The parent team developed a long-term plan demonstrating how plenty of athletes want to play and will be coming up through the middle school club soccer program to populate the varsity team.

With that significant effort presented to the athletic director, the WPS Board of Education agreed that the school’s enrollment numbers would support a third boys sport in the fall and wouldn’t impact the historically successful cross country and football programs. With the board’s support, athletic director Ken Dietz began the startup process for the new sport, which includes uniforms, equipment, and building a 15-game regular season schedule, including seven conference games.

The biggest challenge facing the team is a home field. Typically teams might use the football field for games, but Panther Stadium is a busy place in the fall. The marching band uses the field on Monday nights, middle school football is on Wednesdays, JV football games are on Thursdays, varsity plays on Fridays, and Rocket football plays games on Saturdays. Dietz was able to find five dates for home games, and the plan is to eventually build a dedicated field for the two soccer programs to relieve the stress on the football grass.

Doug Bornas will be the head coach, assisted by Mackenzie Houlehen. They expect 22 players on the team this year, but with the late approval of the sport there could be more. Bornas said of the startup challenges, “We’re just happy to get going, and the kids are excited.” He’ll have a young team this season with just four seniors and two juniors, but that will change in a couple years as the pipeline looks full for the next several years. Good luck, Coach Bornas!

Ladies Monday Night Happy Hour Golf League

July 22 Golf Report from the Paw Paw Lake Golf Club:

Weekly Event Winner – Sandy Johnson; Low Gross – Anne Pudell with 58; Low Net – Anne Pudell with 37; Low Putts – Anne Pudell with 19; Pars – Hole #14 Anne Pudell.

Coloma Press Box By Dave Vollrath

U.S. Open Volunteer at Pebble Beach, chance of a lifetime

I had the unique opportunity once again this year to work as a U.S. Golf Association volunteer at the U.S. Open. This is the third year for me working the Open, the first being in 2016 at Oakmont Country Club, and 2018 at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.

This year though was very special for me because there has never been anywhere, or any golf course in the world I have always wanted to see more than Pebble Beach. It is a special place, a beautiful place, and as a USGA volunteer, part of your reward is the credentials you get which give you access to the course from Monday morning thru Sunday evening, the week of the event. The volunteers sign up to work on average four days during the week for 4-5 hours per day. The rest of the week volunteers are just another spectator, and able to take in all the sights and sounds and beauty, which all of the Open venues provide.

There are very few places where the best golfers in the world are brought together, and the golf almost becomes secondary to the gorgeous seaside vistas that grab attention as soon as someone walks onto the grounds at Pebble Beach.

This year for the first time I worked on the leader boards which are scattered on various holes around the course, to let the spectators and players know who’s doing what, during each round. Three of the four boards I worked were holes situated right on the ocean, so even while I was working, I was able to see the most beautiful sights in the world, and be up close to the best golfers in the world as a bonus.

I can check one of the top goals off my bucket list. Pebble Beach and the Monterey Peninsula are just too awesome for words, and more than met my expectations. If you should ever have an inclination to volunteer for a future U.S. Open, their web site is easy to find and you need only fill out an application. It is a fantastic experience one would never forget. Next year’s open will be held at Winged Foot, in New York. I have already been accepted to work, and will be moving up in the world, and will be working as a Marshall.

MIRROR IMAGES… PGA professionals Justin Thomas and Kevin Kisner strike identical poses, as they stand on the 18th green at the recent U.S. Open at Pebble Beach CA. Thomas, currently number nine in the world, missed the cut at the Open, while Kisner number 28 in the world went on to finish in a tie for 49th place. The 2019 U.S. Open was held on June 13-16 at Pebble Beach, with Gary Woodland winning the championship. (TCR photo by Dave Vollrath)

Are you ready for some football?

It won’t be long and football season will be here once again. The fall high school sports season is fast approaching and there is some information which parents will need to know to get their young athletes ready and able to compete this fall. In addition to football, there is boys soccer, cross country, cheer leading, and volleyball to look forward to.

The Coloma varsity football team has completed their seven on seven practice events, and it will be the lineman’s turn to test their skills next Thursday, August 1, at Plainwell. The varsity will also be having a team camp next week, Monday thru Wednesday July 29-31, on the Comet practice field from 5-9 p.m.

The Coloma Comet football program led by head coach Joe Stephens will be holding a fund raising golf outing on Sunday, August 4, at Blossom Trails Golf Club in Benton Harbor. The cost of the event is $65 per golfer, or $260 per team. Tee off with shot gun start will be at 8 a.m., and Coach Stephens says there is still room for a few more teams. The entry fee includes golf with cart and food afterwards. It is always a great time, come on out and support the Comet football program.

Last chance for physicals

All Coloma high school athletes need to have a current physical on file. For students that have not yet had their physical for the coming season, St. Joe High School will be hosting one more Sports Physical clinic this summer. This clinic will be held at St. Joe High School on August 7. The fee is $30 for individual or $45 for a family with more than one student athlete.

Coloma Comet Rocket Football and Cheerleading sign up, last chance

Saturday, July 27 is the last chance to sign up for this year’s Rocket football and cheerleading teams. Sign-up will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 11 a.m. The Coloma Comet Varsity and JV football teams will also be holding a football camp for players in 1st thru 6th grades from 9 to 11. All of this will take place at the Coloma High School football practice fields. More information can be accessed through the Coloma Rocket football and cheerleading Facebook page.

Coloma Glad-Peach 5K run and 5K walk

The 34th annual Glad-Peach 5K run and walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday August 3. Participants can get signed up for this event at www.runsignup.com.

Hope everyone is having a safe and fun summer, in our corner of Southwest Michigan.

Press Box Player of the Week

As the days roll by, the heat builds, and summer activities are in full swing, many people would not be looking ahead to next school year, or fall athletics already. However, one sport is getting ready to host a youth clinic designed at building their future stars. While this clinic may not be free, the fundamentals and skills learned will just be the foundation of what the sport of volleyball will teach today and in the future.

The volleyball team is chomping at the bit – and this is just the beginning of what promises to be a good season! Are you ready to find out more information about this fantastic clinic? Without further ado, it’s time to open the door to the Press Box and jump right into the highlights of all things Indian Athletics!

Hartford Prress Box By Jerrod Birmele

Hartford Volleyball holding Youth Camp August 14 and 15

The Hartford Indian Volleyball teams will be holding a Youth Camp at the Hartford High School’s Indian Gymnasium on August 14 and 15 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. each evening. This annual clinic, designed for girls going into grades three through eight, is focused mainly on teaching techniques that will help develop their basic skills.

The Basic Foundational Skills Camp will teach multiple core beliefs. It will initiate players into the game of volleyball, and is designed for beginning and intermediate level players. Instruction will include developmental training in techniques, such as passing, setting, attacking, service and defense. Participants will also receive additional training in court movement, game play and competition, as well as promoting ball-handling techniques to ensure success at the next level.

The Hartford Volleyball program invites your child for this unique opportunity. Training at this camp is like that of the Indian Volleyball teams, with individual development through skill development and competition. Participants will learn all of the skills, with the ultimate goal of becoming a better volleyball player.

The cost of the camp is $20 per player, or a $30 family rate. Cash and checks are accepted; checks may be made to Hartford Public Schools, in care of Volleyball. Each participant will be guaranteed to receive a camp T-shirt if they are registered before Friday, July 26. Those interested may sign-up the day of the camp, but a T-shirt will not be guaranteed with late registrations.

Questions can be directed to Hartford Varsity Volleyball Head Coach, Patty Matheny, by e-mail at mathenyp@hpsmi.org. The team looks forward to seeing everyone at the camp!

117th Western Amateur headed to Michigan’s Great Southwest

The 117th Western Amateur is headed back to Southwest Michigan this July 29 through August 3. This annual golf championship returns to Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club in Benton Township after an 11-year hiatus. The championship has been held at the Point in 1963, 1965 and every year between 1971 and 2008 before the tournament moved to multiple sites in the Chicago area.

The Western Amateur has become one of the elite amateur golf championships in the world, and the list of champions has become synonymous with excellence. Winners of this prestigious championship, and the coveted George R. Thome Trophy, include professional major golf champions Jack Nicklaus (1960), Tom Weiskopf (1962), Lanny Watkins (1970), Andy North (1971), Ben Crenshaw (1973), Curtis Strange (1974), Hal Sutton (1979 and 1980), Phil Mickelson (1991), Justin Leonard (1992 and 1993) and Tiger Woods (1994).

In addition to all those champions listed above, the Western Amateur boasts a record of excellence few amateur tournaments can achieve. That is because their “Sweet Sixteen” over the years have amassed many noteworthy accomplishments. Since 2000, 27 major championships have been won by those players, along with 18 PGA Tour Player of the Year awards since 1990.

This group also won 19 events during the 2018 PGA Tour season, has won seven season-ending FedEx Cup championships, and seven PGA Tour Rookie of the Year awards since 1990. Also noteworthy are 11 members of this select group participated in the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club near New York City, and they also hold eight of the top 20 spots on the PGA Tour’s All-Time Money List.

The tournament has been a prestigious national tournament since its founding in 1899. Each year, 156 invited players will come from all over the world to play in one of the toughest formats in amateur golf. The field will play 18 holes of individual stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday, after which it is cut to the low 44 scores and ties.

The remaining players will play 36 more holes of individual stroke play on Thursday to determine the low 16 finishers. The “Sweet Sixteen” will then compete in Match Play competition on Friday and Saturday to decide a champion.

Last year, Cole Hammer from Houston, Texas defeated Davis Riley from Hattiesburg, Miss., 1-up, to win the trophy at Sunset Ridge Country Club. The sophomore-to-be at the University of Texas will be in Benton Township next week to defend his crown, and brings a list of accolades along with him. Among them includes qualifying for the U.S. Open Championship in 2015 at the age of 15, and currently, Hammer is ranked as the #1 amateur in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

JORDAN BURRELL… AYSO U5 Winning Spirit Award for Spring 2019 presented on June 8. Coach Gonzalez commented that Jordan was always ready to go. He was an awesome teammate with a great spirit.

CLAIRE POUPARD… AYSO U5 Sportsmanship Award for Spring 2019 presented on June 8. Coach Gonzalez commented that Claire listened well to all that was asked of her and had a great attitude.

To win it this year, Hammer will need to be at his best, as he headlines a field that will include five of the top ten amateurs in the world. Also playing at the Point will be World Amateur #3 David Micheluzzi from Australia, World Amateur #7 Chun An Yu from Chinese Taipei, World Amateur #8 Steven Fisk from Stockbridge, GA and World Amateur #10 Chandler Phillips from Huntsville, TX.

Other names to watch will include Austin Eckroat from Edmond, OK, Brad Dalke from Norman, OK and John Augenstein from Owensboro, KY, while two players from Stanford University’s NCAA Match Play Championship winning team will tee-it-up, in the form of Isaiah Salinda from South San Francisco, CA and David Snyder from McAllen, TX.

In addition to the defending champion, the University of Texas, who finished runner-up in the NCAA Match Play Championship, will send three other players to the Point this coming week to compete in the form of brothers, Parker and Pierceson Coody, both from Plano, TX and Spencer Soosman from Westlake Village, CA. And, if you are looking for two darkhorses to watch, this writer would select Karl Vilips from Australia and Davis Shore of Brentwood, Tennessee. Vilips won the gold medal in the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires last summer, while Shore is a talented player at the University of Alabama that is coming off hip surgery this spring.

The Western Amateur has free admission, which is a major bonus! If you are a golf fan, make your way out to Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club this coming July 29 – August 3 and watch some of the future stars of the game today!