Local sports briefs

Tour of Sebring Bicycle Ride
SEBRING More than 250 bicyclists will be riding in the 28th Annual Tour of Sebring on Sept. 4, 5 and 6 here in Highlands County. The Tour of Sebring, co-sponsored by the Kenilworth Lodge and the Highlands Pedalers bicycling club, features rides of varying distances including 31 miles, 62 miles and a 100 miles to Bok Tower in Lake Wales. These rides are fully supported with mobile "sag" service and rest stops. Helmets are mandatory. Riders, drawn from throughout the state of Florida, look forward to biking on lightly- traveled roads, enjoying rural scenery and charming small towns. All of the rides leave from the Kenilworth Lodge (phone 863-385-0111). There will be walk-in registration on Friday evening, starting at 6 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday mornings starting at 6:30 a.m. Please call the lodge for other details and fees or go to http://www.kenilworthlodge.com/sebringflorida/?id=141.
Sebring cheerleader barbeque
SEBRING The Sebring High School cheerleaders are holding their traditional chicken dinner barbeque fundraiser before the Blue Streaks' Sept. 17 football game with Lake Region. Barbeque will be served between 3 and 7:30 p.m. and can be eaten on premise or you can order for take out.
Tickets are $7 and are available from any Sebring cheerleader.
Those wishing to donate to the cheer squad can call Carolyn Shoemaker at 471-5500.
Lawnracing cranking up
AVON PARK The Florida Lawnracing Association will resume action on Sept. 18 at the Avon Park Mower Plex. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and a super-ticket, which includes a pit pass, is $10. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
For more information, including details about the Imow Driving Experience, call 863-441-2642 or visit www.floridalawnracing.net.
AP Dixie Baseball fall registration
AVON PARK Avon Park Dixie Youth Baseball is accepting registrations for the fall season, which starts in September. You may register at the Top Shop in Avon Park on Monday through Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The cost is $40 per player and players must be at least 6 years old.
When registering a birth certificate and a recent photo are needed.
For more information, contact President Heath Townsend at 863-443-0673.
Travis O' Bannon Memorial Golf Tournament
SEBRING The third annual Travis O' Bannon Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Sun 'N Lakes Golf Club. The cost is $55 per person or $200 per foursome. Registrations will begin at 7:30 a.m. and a shotgun start will follow at 8:30 a.m. Lunch, a silent auction and awards will take place at 1 p.m.
The event benefits the Travis O' Bannon Scholarship Fund, Grace Bible Outreach Ministries and Haiti Bible Mission.
To sign up or for more information contact Gary Anderson at 863-382-1085 ext. 107 or gary.anderson@gbcconnected.org. Registration forms are online at www.gbcconnected.org/files/travis_entry_form_2010.pdf
SFCC baseball holding showcase camps
AVON PARK The South Florida Community College Panthers will be holding two Panther Baseball High School Showcase Camps on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov. 20. The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. both days and are for players graduating high school in 2011, 2012 or 2013.
Players will have the opportunity to showcase individual talents in the morning during workouts and will follow with a game. A question and answer session with players and parents will follow.
The cost is $60 per player.
For more information, contact Panther coach Rick Hitt at 863-453-6661 ext. 7036 or e-mail hittr@southflorida.edu.
Elks September golf event planned
SEBRING The Elks monthly golf outing for September will take place on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6 at Harder Hall Country Club. The fee is $22 and includes golf, cart, lunch and prizes. The event is a four-person scramble. Check-in by 7:40 a.m. in the pro shop and play will begin at 8 a.m.
Registrations should be sent to jack.mclaughlin@embarqmail.com or call 863-471-3295.
Softball leagues sign-ups
SEBRING The Highlands County Parks and Recreation Department is taking registrations for fall softball leagues. Registrations will be taken through Sept. 7 and games will begin Tuesday, Sept. 14, and be played at 6:45 and 8 p.m.
There will be slow pitch, women's, church, recreation and coed leagues. Leagues are open to anyone 16 years of age or older.
A coaches meeting will take place Thursday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the sports complex.
For more information call Dan Jamison at the Highlands County Sports Complex at 863-402-6755.
YMCA fall soccer sign-ups
SEBRING The Highlands County YMCA is accepting soccer registrations for players 3 to 14 years of age through Aug. 30. The cost is $35 for members and $75 for nonmembers, while the cost for 3 year olds is $30 for members and $50 for nonmembers. For more information, contact the YMCA at 863-382-9622.
Hansen House benefit tournament
SEBRING The Children's Home Society of Florida is hosting its second annual golf tournament to benefit Hansen House in Highlands County. The tournament will take place on Nov. 13 at Sun 'N Lake Country Club with an 8 a.m. shotgun start and is a four-person scramble format. Cost is $225 per team. A number of sponsorships are available and for more information contact Summer Rose Tucker at 863-414-4452 or summer@fastlanepromotions.biz.
Habitat "Golf FORE Homes" Tournament
SEBRING Under Pressure Sports presents the "Golf Fore Homes" tournament on Saturday, Sept. 18 on the new greens at Country Club of Sebring. "Golf Fore Homes" benefits Highlands County Habitat for Humanity and the Mason's Ridge project. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Four-person teams will be flighted by handicap. Entry fee includes complimentary practice round, continental breakfast, goodie bags, prizes, snacks on the course, and lunch and awards following play. Complimentary reception for all players the evening before on Friday, Sept. 17 at Country Club of Sebring. $2,000 hole-in-one sponsored by Cohan Radio Group and chance to win a brand new vehicle sponsored by Alan Jay Automotive Network. Entry fee is $220 per team or $55 per player. Contact Sarah Pallone at 402-2913 for additional information or e-mail team information to spallone@habitathighlands.org.
Golf Hammock For the Kids tournament
SEBRING Golf Hammock is hosting a For the Kids golf tournament at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11 with a shotgun start. It will be a four-person Step-Aside scramble. Entry fee is $45 per player which includes golf, cart, lunch and prizes. Proceeds will establish a traveling fund for local junior golfers who wish to take their game to the next level, competing in state or regional competition. Come, play and help keep golf growing. Pick up a registration at any local pro shop or call G/H pro shop at 382-2151 to have one faxed to you.
Sebring High sport posters
SEBRING Sebring High School Athletic Department has contracted R & R Calendar, LLC to print posters for each of the sport seasons, fall, winter, and spring. The calendars will have the schedules of all sports in season. All advertisements purchased will be printed on this one poster. Participating businesses will receive calendars to display. R & R is the only company that is authorized by SHS.
Kegel bowling specials
SEBRING The Kegel Bowling Center is offering several specials this summer. On Wednesday's at 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. kids and coaches can bowl for $10. On Thursday's from noon until 4 p.m. is a kids special for one game, a soda and hot dog for $5. Friday and Saturday's from 7 p.m. until closing is 90 minutes of bowling, music and prizes and the cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 863-382-2643.
Webber University seeking cheerleaders
LAKE WALES Webber International is looking to expand the size of its co-ed cheerleading squad. Partial athletic scholarships are available and can be combined with other types of financial aid. For more information regarding Webber's cheerleading squad, contact head cheer coach Gennifer Gunn at 863-528-2417 or gunnegv@gmail.com. You may also contact Bill Heath, athletic director, at 863-638-2953 or heathwl@webber.edu.
For more information concerning the cheerleading squad, visit www.webberathletics.com.
Golf clinics
SEBRING Sebring girls golf coach Debby McNall is hosting the ladies hit and giggle golf clinics at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday's at Sebring Golf Club. McNall and Sebring Golf Club pro Kim Darrow will host junior golf clinics at 10 a.m. on Friday's for ages 4-up and the cost is $10 per person. Contact McNall at 863-257-1108 or 863-386-9492 for more information.
Senior softball
SEBRING A 70-up senior softball league is being organized for 2011. Anyone interested in playing, contact Stan Turl at 863-452-0805 or Les Smith at 863-655-9175.
Kegel Bowling Academy
SEBRING The Kegel Youth Bowling Academy is looking for kids interested in bowling. Ages are from 5-20, with bowling every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and practice on Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration fee is $45, which includes shirt, sanctioning fee, first and last week of bowling. Cost is $10 weekly.
For more information, call Kegel at 863-382-2643.
Highlands County YMCA
SEBRING The Highlands County YMCA offers four certified personal trainers specializing in many areas to meet your fitness needs. Personal trainers are available for members and nonmembers.
Trainer Mike Ritacco focuses on pre-teen to teenage sport specific and a variety of heath fitness training; Heidi Crutchfield specializes in multi-sport and triathlon training; Sandy Hollinger concentrates on active older adults and weight loss; and Stephen Baily works with power strength training and weight loss.