The holidays bring an on-and-off again schedule to sports at the Center of Anna Maria Island but the Anna Maria Island Pitchers are steady at the horseshoe pits.
Three teams advanced to the knockout with 3-0 pool-play records during Nov. 23 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall pits.
The bye went to Bob Palmer and Tom Betty, who watched as Rod Bussey threw a double-ringer, propelling him and partner Bob Baker into the finals with a 25-20 victory over Norm Good and Bob Mason. Bussey and Baker stayed hot in the finals, cruising to a 23-10 victory over Palmer and Betty to earn the day’s bragging rights.
It was another three-team playoff Nov. 26 with the bye going to Jerry Disbrow and Baker. Tom Farrington and Ron Hooper advanced to the finals with a 23-7 victory over Bussey and Mason. Farrington and Hooper prevailed in the finals, 23-20 thanks to a game-ending double-ringer by Farrington.
Play gets underway at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Anna Maria pits. Warm-ups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.
Key Royale golf news
Fifty-two Key Royale golfers played Nov. 18 in the annual “Welcome Back Scramble” at the club in Holmes Beach. The tees were relocated for the scramble to allow a par-three course.
Two teams tied for first place with scores of 3-under-par 24. The team of Laurie and Marty Hicks and Sharon and Terry Tarras tied the team of Jim Hill, Peter Lund, Blake Ress and Greg Shorten. The team of Jenny and Ron Huibers, Lori Waggoner and Debi Wohlers were one stroke back in second place.
Laurie Hicks won the women’s chipping contest, while Jim Hill chipped a win for the men. Janelle Clements captured the closest-to-the-pin contest on the eighth hole for the women, while Nelson Eagle won the men’s contest on the third hole.
Regular action resumed Nov. 21 with the men’s modified-Stableford match that saw Eagle grab clubhouse bragging rights with a plus-4. Jim Hitchen and Wohlers were a point back in second place.
The women took over the course Nov. 22 for a nine-hole individual-low-net match in two flights.
Linda Dorsey carded an even-par 32 to grab first place in Flight A by a stroke over Roxanne Koche. Helen Pollock and Brenda Solleveld tied for third place at 3-over-par 35.
Terry Westby’s 1-under-par 31 gave her the low round of the day and first place in Flight B. Marti Clark and Peggy Clauhs both finished at even-par 32 to tie for second place, while Gloria LaDue held down third place with a 3-over-par 35.
Flag football on horizon
The community center is accepting registration for its winter flag football league for youths ages 4-13.
The league, which runs Jan. 10-March 7 is broken into the 4-5, 6-7, 8-10 and 11-13 age divisions and games will be played Tuesday evenings.
The deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 12, and player evaluations and drafts for the 8-10 and 11-13 age divisions will be Tuesday, Dec. 13. The 8-10 evaluations start at 5:30 p.m., while the 11-13s take the field at 7 p.m.
Cost for the season of play is $10 for members and $126 for nonmembers.
The center also is looking for volunteer coaches for the youth league.
Adults interested in playing flag football can register for a winter league of action at the center. The season runs Jan. 12- March 9, with games played Thursday nights.
The adult deadline to register is Wednesday, Dec. 14, and a player draft will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.
Cost for adult players is $10 for members and $120 for nonmembers.
For more information, contact Rusty Wood at programs@centerami.org or 941-778-1908.