• First Tee’s LPGA-USGA Girls Golf: Girls can learn about golf at a First Tee program, with former LPGA Tour player Bonnie Lauer as host, at Blacklake Golf Resort in Nipomo. Classes cost $75, cover the basics of golf, and are open to all girls (ages 10 and older recommended). They take place from 4 to 5 p.m. on May 25 and June 8. To register, call coach Bonnie Lauer at 459-6170 or e-mail bonnielauer220@gmail.com.
• Patriot Games Challenge: A United States Powerlifting Association-sanctioned event—including powerlifting, bench press, deadlift, and push-pull competitions—is scheduled for May 26 at the Santa Maria Athletic Club. The competition is dedicated to Aaron Allen, a Marine corporal from Buellton who was killed in Iraq in 2008. Lifting begins at 10 a.m., followed by a special program honoring Allen and veterans from World War II, and wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Proceeds will go to the Marine Corps League Coastal Valley’s Marine Detachment 1340. For more information, call 344-2186 or e-mail kmctawzer@verizon.net.
• NFL Flag Football: Santa Barbara County youth ages 5 to 17 are invited to participate in the Rise and Achieve Foundation’s upcoming flag football season. Registration takes place May 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Santa Maria Athletic Club, 1321 S. Bradley Road in Santa Maria. Players can also sign up at riseandachieve.com. The season runs from July 7 to Aug. 4. All games will be played at St. Joseph High School in Orcutt. Nipomo residents can also sign up for the San Luis Obispo County flag football league, which will play its games at Pismo Beach from July 8 to Aug. 5. For more information, call Ray Anderson at 868-3633.
• Lompoc Glove Drive: The Lompoc Police Department will hold a baseball glove drive on June 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to collect gloves for children ages 5 to 13 in the Lompoc Valley Police Activities League’s new Junior Giants team. The PAL program is free to the public. The Lompoc Police Department is at 107 Civic Center Plaza in Lompoc. For more information, call PAL coordinator Kathy Hefferman at 875-8156.
• Santa Maria Youth Football League: The league is taking registrations for the 2012 football and cheerleading seasons. Football fees are $200, including a jersey, gear rental, a trophy, and a basic picture package. Players must be between the ages of 8 and 14 during the season to participate. Cheerleaders must be in kindergarten to eighth grade for the 2012-2013 school year. Fees are $180 and include uniform, cheer camp, and a basic picture package. Registrations will be held at the Westgate Community Room, 1300 Marsala Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9 to 10, June 23 to 24, July 14 to 15, and July 21 to 22. Parents must provide two copies of the child’s birth certificate, a current report card, and a recent photo. For more information, call league president Manuel Ledesma at 363-9642 or cheer director Dana McNutt at 260-6389.
• Tri-the-Bull Triathlon: Tri-athletes of all fitness levels can test their endurance at the fourth annual Tri-the-Bull Triathlon June 23 at Pioneer Valley High School. The event is a half-mile swim, seven-mile bike ride, and a three-mile run, with shorter distances for junior and senior divisions. Participants ages 15 and older can register as individuals or as part of three-person relay teams. Children ages 7 to 14 can compete in the junior triathlon. Registration fees are $40 for individuals or $105 for a team of three. Fees for junior athletes are $20 for individuals or $45 for teams. Sign-ups take place through June 14. Participants can register online at active.com or by visiting the Recreation and Parks Department at 615 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria. For more information, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 925-0951, Ext. 260.
• Horace Grant basketball camp: Children ages 10 to 18 are invited to participate in the Horace Grant Elite Basketball Camp, scheduled for June 25 through 28 in San Luis Obispo. The camp is led by former Chicago Bulls forward and NBA All-Star Horace Grant, and runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at San Luis Obispo High School, 1499 San Luis Dr. The cost is $400 per child. To register, visit horacegrant.com and download and complete the registration form. Checks must be sent to the Horace Grant Elite Basketball Camp, P.O. Box 1489, Arroyo Grande, CA, 93421. For more information, call 709-0522.
Sports Shorts is compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in May 24-31, 2012.
