Seven Key Royale Club women battled it out in a three-week, single-elimination match-play tournament to determine the 2022 Ladies Club Champion.
The final match March 7 came down to two players, defending champ Debbie Wohlers and Jenny Huibers. Huibers prevailed in a closely fought match with a 2-and-1 victory — up two strokes with one hole left to play. Her eagle on the sixth hole cinched the game for the new women’s champ. With the title, she has the premier parking place at the club for 12 months.
The men played their weekly modified- Stableford system match March 7 and Jack Lowry’s score of plus-4 was good enough for first place. The quintet of Tim Friessen, Jon Holcomb, Greg Shorten, Bill Shuman and Quentin Talbert were all a point back in second place.
The women played their weekly nine-hole individual-low-net match in three flights March 8.
Linda Dorsey rode birdies on the first and second holes to a 2-under-par 30 for first place in Flight A by a stroke over second-place finisher Sue Wheeler. Debbie Duverney and Roxanne Koche tied for third at even-par 32.
Laurie Hicks fired the low-net round of the day with a 6-under-par 26 in Flight B to edge Judy Christenson by a stroke. Judy Todd, Sue Christensen and Connie Livanos were in a three-way tie for third at 1-under-par 31.
Janet Razze carded a 5-under-par 27 to earn a three-stroke victory in Flight C. Terry Westby came in second at 2-under-par 30, while Barb Harrold, who chipped in on the first hole, was another stroke back in third.
Flag football youth finale
Championship night in the youth flag football league at the Center of Anna Maria Island kicked off March 8 with a 5:45 p.m. semifinal game in the 8-10 division for Prosper Bradenton and Moss Builders.
The game was a back-and-forth affair featuring strong performances from players on both teams, but Moss Builders held on for a 33-26 victory. Mason Moss threw four touchdown passes, including two to Austin Guess, who finished with four catches, including one for an extra point. Turner Worth and Miles Moss also scored TDs, while Mason Moss completed the scoring with a 2-point conversion.
Prosper Bradenton received four touchdown passes from Landon Sinphay, who connected with Sammy Gilmore for three TDs. Kyle Mims added a touchdown grab and Grady Sandhoff completed the scoring with a 2-point conversion.
The second semifinal game saw Solid Rock Construction hold on for a 26-25 victory over Beach Bums. Quarterback Van Havell and Colson Mendiola hooked up for three touchdowns and an extra point to lead the Solid Rock Construction offense, which also received a receiving TD and an extra point from Nixon Conner.
Brandon Sato paced the Beach Bums offense with touchdown passes to Dylan Sato, Kellen Reed and Wade Kasten, who also had a rushing touchdown in the loss.
Though the championship game lacked the drama of the two semifinal matchups, it was a competitive game that saw Moss Builders outscore Solid Rock Construction by a 27-15 score.
Moss Builders was again led by the Mason Moss-Austin Guess connection, which produced three TDs. Moss also hit Turner Worth for a TD and an extra point, while Miles Moss finished with two extra points in the victory.
Solid Rock received two TD passes from Van Havell to Colson Mendiola and Mckenna Darak, who also had an extra point in the loss.
The 11-13 division semifinals got started with Moss Builders eliminating Nissan of Bradenton 27-17 thanks to three TD grabs by Greg Jordan. Luke Winsper added a TD catch, giving Mason Moss four touchdown passes on the evening.
Charlie Rogers threw two touchdown passes to Brennen Gunter, who also added a 2-point conversion in the loss.
The second 11-13 semifinal game saw Blalock Walters cruise to a 29-14 victory over HSH Designs behind three TD passes and a rushing TD from Ashton Hovda. Hovda’s favorite target was Jackson Zoller, who finished with three catches, two TD and an extra point, while Liam Proud added a touchdown and an extra point to the victory.
Jack Mattick connected with Audrey Guess and Tyler Conn for HSH Designs.
The championship game saw Moss Builders hold on for a 27-25 victory thanks in part to the Mason Moss-Greg Jordan connection, which produced three TDs from Jordan, a 2-point conversion and an extra point. Mason Moss completed the scoring with a TD run in the victory.
Ashton Hovda passed for three TDs, including two to brother Peyton Hovda and one to Liam Proud. Jackson Zoller ran for another score, while Cale Rudacille completed the scoring with an extra point in the loss.
Indoor soccer playoffs begin
The regular season is over for the adult indoor soccer league at the center and it’s win or go home for the playoffs.
No. 1 and No. 2 seeds Sato Real Estate and Beach Bums received first-round byes into the semifinals and watched quarterfinal action March 10 that began with Gulfview Windows & Doors eliminating Progressive Cabinetry 21-7.
Luca Vecchio scored 10 goals and had two assists to lead Gulfview, which also received four goals each from Daniel Adan and Keith Mahoney. Raul Loera added three goals and six assists for Gulfview, which received 19 saves from goalie Mark Long in the victory.
Progressive Cabinetry received three goals, an assist and six saves from Connor Bystrom, two goals, two assists and four saves from Daniel Anderson and two goals and eight saves from Sean Flynn in the loss.
The second game saw Slim’s Place earn a 6-0 shutout victory over Mi-Box behind two goals each from Greg Moss and Jessica Williams. Austin Nutting and Chris Klotz each added one goal and Andrew Sullivan made six saves in the victory.
Steve Oelfke helped keep Mi-Box in the game with nine saves in the loss.
Semifinal games are set for 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., followed by the championship match at 9 p.m. Thursday, March 17.
Horseshoe news
Horseshoe action at the City of Anna Maria horseshoe pits was short and sweet this past week. The March 9 games saw two teams advance to the knockout stage with 3-0 records. Tom Skoloda walked his way to the winner’s circle with a 22-14 victory over Rod Bussey and Tom Farrington. Action on March 12 was rained out.
Play begins at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria pits. Warmups start at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.
There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.