Island sports during Thanksgiving week gave way to holiday schedules, school breaks and family travel plans.
’Twas the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, and horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits saw two teams emerge from pool play with 3-0 records and battle for the day’s supremacy.
Bob Rowley stayed perfect for the day, with a 22-11 victory over Rod Bussey and Tim Sofran to earn bragging rights for the day.
Three teams advanced to the knockout stage during the Nov. 27 games. Tim Sofran drew the bye into the final and watched as Rowley and Bob Palmer outscored Tom Farrington and Rod Bussey 21-10. The championship match was close, until Palmer threw a game-ending double ringer to secure a spot in the winner’s circle. The win gave Rowley a perfect 9-0 record for the week.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
Due in part to family arrivals for some and holiday travel for others, it was a short week of golf action at Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.
The men played their weekly modified-Stableford system match Nov. 22. The team of Ken Butler, Hoyt Miller and Blake Ress combined on a plus-3 to earn clubhouse bragging rights for the week.
The women were on the course Nov. 23 for a nine-hole individual-low-net match in two flights. Carol Patterson grabbed first place in Flight A with a 1-under-par 31, three strokes ahead of second-place finisher Jana Samuels. Jenny Huibers was another stroke back in third place.
Flight B went to Terry Westby with an even-par 32, four strokes ahead of second-place finisher Janet Razze. Barb Harold was alone in third with a 6-over-par 38.
At the Center of Anna Maria Island, signups continued for ages 5-17 for the winter flag football league.
Player evaluations are set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, for the 5-7 and 8-10 age divisions, while the 11-13 and 14-17 divisions will take over the pitch at 7:30 p.m.
The season will kick off after the winter holidays on Jan. 11.
Players can register online at centerami.org or at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
Meanwhile, four quarterfinal matches will narrow the field in the adult soccer championships at the center starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2. The winners will face off in two semifinal matches, scheduled at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 9, and the finals will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 16, followed by an all-star game at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
For more information, contact Connor Haughey at 941-778-1908, ext. 217.