Optimist golf classic plays 25th tourney
Though Tropical Storm Nestor forced the cancellation of many Saturday morning activities around the area, the Plant City Optimist Club / Plant City Recreation & Parks Department Golf Classic was not among them.
The 25th annual tournament was held at Diamond Hill on Oct. 19 and 80 golfers participated in the scramble despite windy weather. The Optimists also donated $5,000 to the Friends of Recreation & Parks Corporation to assist with department-run youth programs and purchase needed supplies.
Area parks hosting events
This weekend, the Recreation and Parks Department will team up with the Optimist Club to host the 26th annual Tri-Star Punt, Pass and Kick competition from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. The free event is for kids age 6-15 and you can register on-site before the competition begins. Winners will be announced at 11 a.m. and awards will be given out for the top three finishers in each age group.
Meanwhile, GSA Florida will hold its Halloween Havoc Super Regional baseball tournament at Mike Sansone Park, the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Plant City Stadium, Ellis-Methvin Park, Snowden Park and the MLK Rec Complex. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Next weekend, Florida USSSA Baseball’s War on I-4 tournament will use fields at Mike Sansone Park, the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, Plant City Stadium, Ellis-Methvin Park and the MLK Rec Complex with start times between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3.
Also coming to town is Northwest Tampa Lacrosse’s 2019 Florida Fall Classic Tournament, which will use the fields at Ellis-Methvin Park. Games start between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 2 and 3.
Sign up for youth basketball league
The PCRPD/Optimist Youth Basketball Program turns 51 this year and registration for the upcoming season has begun.
The league is open to all area youths age 8-16 (as of March 1, 2019) and runs from early January through late February. Games are typically played on Saturdays at the Plant City Family YMCA gym and in the gyms at Marshall and Tomlin middle schools. The youngest players will have most games on Saturdays and older players will mostly play on weeknights.
Registration costs $35 per player and covers all expenses. The league is also looking for coaches and referees. Sign up by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the PCRPD office, 1904 S. Park Road. Registration forms can be acquired by emailing recinfo@plantcitygov.com. Call 813-659-4255 for more information.