Sports Shorts 05/08/2008

MESA Panthers in finals
KENTUCKY — The MESA Panthers, a travel soccer team based in Davison, competed in the 2008 Louisville Cup in April. The Panthers reached the championship round after going head-to-head with other state-ranked teams.
The Panthers beat seventh-ranked Noblesville and 12th-ranked Fishers, both out of Indiana. Next up was the second-ranked Javanon of Kentucky, which ended in a draw. The Panthers’ run ended against the Indy Burn, a second-ranked team in Indianapolis.
The team is coached by Mark Burke and Ryan Ford and includes members Madison Carper, Mackenzie Wetekamp, April Crowe, Allison Cialkoszewski, Casey Wangler, Alayna Hilgendorf, Samantha Chouinard, Sarah Ford, Alyssa Burke, Cassie Jenkinson and Jessie Maglaski. — L.P.
Youth hockey hosts golf outing
LAPEER — The Lapeer County Hockey Association will kick off its seventh annual golf outing May 17 at Sugarbush Golf Club. The four-person scramble-style event begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start.
Cost is $85 per person and includes 18 holes, a golf cart, continental breakfast, luncheon and prizes following the outing. Tee signs are available at $75 per sign. Call Howard Dibble at 248-693-4312 or Bill Gibbons at 810-845-1914 for details. — J.D.
Second time around
GENESEE COUNTY — The second annual co-ed spring T-ball instructional league is being offered by the Genesee Fieldhouse from May 6 to June 17. Players can request to be on the same team as friends. Games take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Cost is $55 per athlete and includes a team shirt and hat. Players must bring their own mitts. All other equipment will be provided. Details: www.geneseefield house.com or call 810-655-2200. — M.S.
Golf fun for everyone
BURTON — The IMA Brookwood Golf Club is hosting many events this summer, including the Spring Senior Scramble (for ages 50 and over) May 12, a couples league in May, Women’s Wine and Nine June 6, Junior Golf Program June 18, Take your Daughter to the Course week in July, Family golf month in July, and Patriots Golf Day Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Call 810-742-4930 or email sbrotebeck@flintma.org for details. — J.D.
MHSAA Officials to be honored
EAST LANSING — The MHSAA will hold its 29th annual Officials Awards and Alumni Banquet on May 10 at the Lansing Sheraton Hotel at 7 p.m. The MHSAA recognizes those officials who have given 20, 30, 40, 45 and 50 years of service. For 2008, local officials being honored are Daniel Rice, Roger Westenfeld (20 years, Davison), James Graham, Thomas Rau (30 years, Grand Blanc), Manfred Schmidt (30 years, Lapeer), Louis Miramonti (40 years, Dryden) and Thomas Evans (40 years, Grand Blanc). — J.D.
Umpires make donations
EAST LANSING — Baseball and softball umpires from Mid-Michigan pledged their first game fees in May towards the improvement of children’s health care.
More than 60 umpires working baseball and softball games at 30 locations donated their game fees to Officials for Kids May 1. Officials for Kids is a charitable initiative of the Michigan High School Athletic Association in conjunction with Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals.
The money will be used for maintenance of the new pediatric emergency room and waiting room at the CMN facility at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. — P.M.
Flint Jr. Golf deadline looms
BURTON — The May 16 registration deadline is approaching for Flint Junior Golf’s 2008 season. Play begins June 16 at several area courses.
A total of 24 courses will host play on Mondays. The five- and nine-hole play ends July 21 and 22 with 18-hole ending July 28.
Fees are $50 for five-hole (ages 8-11), $60 for nine-hole (ages 12-14 for boys, 12-15 for girls) and $85 for all others interested in playing 18 holes. Included in the entry fee is up to eight clinics during the pre-season. Participants can also attend the Buick Open Clinic June 24 at Warwick Hills. Call 810-252-7091 for details or visit www.fjga.org — J.D.