The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

History comes to life at Bivouac & Barracks

By

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

ZEPHYRHILLS — John Bolender never served in any branch of the U.S. military and yet each year he organizes the Bivouac & Barracks event, a World War II reenactment that draws thousands of people.

Thousands of people come each year to the Bivouac & Barracks event at the Zephyrhills Airport Barracks Museum. Seen is the AT6-Texan trainer plane used turning World War II. Photo courtesy of John Bolender.
Thousands of people come each year to the Bivouac & Barracks event at the Zephyrhills Airport Barracks Museum. Seen is the AT6-Texan trainer plane used turning World War II. Photo courtesy of John Bolender.

“My interest in World War II started back when I was just collecting historic guns used in WWII and WWI,” Bolender said. “I collected other things like canteens and compasses, and eventually bought an Army Jeep from 1945. I have seven or eight Army vehicles now that all still run. They will be on display at Bivouac & Barracks this year.”

The free event is Feb. 19 to 21 at the Zephyrhills Airport Restored Barracks Museum, located next to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Bolender, who has lived in Zephyrhills for 25 years, has been organizing the event since it started four years ago.

“This year it will be even bigger than ever,” Bolender said. “We had about 3,000 people from all over Pasco County and even from Tampa, and we expect to have even more this year.”Bomber2

Bivouac is a military term for camping out, and guests will be able to see exactly what WWII encampments looked like at the event. There will be military tents and gear on display with several different vehicles and aircraft.

“A couple other guys will be bringing their vehicles too, and History of Flights will be bringing three airplanes and letting people fly in them,” Bolender said.

History of Flights is a nonprofit organization that raises money to try and find U.S. soldiers still missing in action overseas. The organization takes its aircrafts to different shows along the east coast and as far west as Colorado selling rides.

“There will be a B-25 H model bomber, which can carry 67 people at a time,” said Cathy Kornfield, spokesperson for History of Flights. “It is the only H model still flying in the world.”

Kornfield said flights are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 and 21. To schedule a flight in advance, call (888) 743-3311. For more information on the organization, visit www.historyflight.com.

“We were able to locate, identify and survey five large American burial sites and three individual sites that had more than 200 U.S. Marines left behind after WWII in the Tarawa Atoll,” said Mark Noah, History of Flights founder and director. “It is the largest single MIA find in the history of the American Armed Forces.”

The atoll is located in the Pacific Ocean southwest of the Marshall Islands.

Other aircrafts at the event will include an AT6-Texan trainer and a Stearman. A weapons demonstration and battle re-enactment will also be Feb. 20 and 21.

“We have the weapons demonstration around 10 in the morning and the battle re-enactment is usually around 2 (p.m.),” Bolender said. “We don’t set a hard time for the battle re-enactment because we want to do it when the most people are there. That is usually in the mid afternoon.”

The Zephyrhills Fire Department is currently using the museum while Fire Station No. 2 is being renovated, but Bolender said the center room will be open to the public during the event.

The Zephyrhills Airport was originally built in the 1940s to train pilots during WWII.

“At the time there was a civilian airport over by Zephyr Park,” said Margaret Seppanen, treasure and former president of the Zephyrhills Historical Association. “Shortly after WWII, the military donated the airport to the citizens and also donated the barracks to the airport.”

Bolender said he is still looking for volunteers to help during the event. To volunteer or for more information, call (813) 788-5969.

If You Go

  • What Bivouac & Barracks
  • When10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 and 20 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21
  • Where The Zephyrhills Airport Restored Barracks Museum
  • Cost Free

Kids break down barriers at Special Olympics

By

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

PASCO — While high school athletics are mostly about who wins and loses, the Special Olympics has a different goal.

Special Olympics athlete Brynn Renner of Sanders Memorial Elementary School (right) and volunteer Lauren Lynch of Land O’ Lakes High School during the games last year. Photo courtesy of Vicky King.
Special Olympics athlete Brynn Renner of Sanders Memorial Elementary School (right) and volunteer Lauren Lynch of Land O’ Lakes High School during the games last year. Photo courtesy of Vicky King.

“It gives these kids an opportunity to show what they can do, not what they can’t,” said Valerie Lundin, co-coordinator for the Special Olympics in Pasco County. “For a day, for a minute, they can forget what they can’t do. It also lets them be with their friends and have a good time.”

Lundin has been a coordinator for the games for 26 years. She is also an adaptive physical educations teacher at Cotee River Elementary School in New Port Richey.

“Adaptive means that I help kids with special needs on a daily basis,” she said. “I got into it by accident because I really wanted to coach college basketball. When I couldn’t do that I went back to (the University of South Florida) and got a graduate degree in adaptive P.E. My teachers thought I’d be good at it and I’ve loved it ever since.”

This year’s Pasco County games will be at two locations on different days for the first time. The first day is Feb. 23 at Wesley Chapel High School, and the second is Feb. 25 at River Ridge High School. The event was split to allow for easier travel for athletes on either side of the county, and because about 975 children will be participating in the county games.

Land O’ Lakes High School football player Anthony Kasperitis runs with Brandi Barber during a previous Special Olympics event. Photo courtesy of Vicky King.
Land O’ Lakes High School football player Anthony Kasperitis runs with Brandi Barber during a previous Special Olympics event. Photo courtesy of Vicky King.

The participants may have certain challenges, but they want to win just as badly as other high school athletes.

“Don’t you even think about telling them that winning doesn’t matter,” said Vicky King, who has coached during the Special Olympics in Pasco County since 1986. “These kids just haven’t been given as many gifts as most kids, but they get everything out of it. They just want to compete and win like everyone else.”

King has been the Land O’ Lakes High School girls soccer coach since the program began 23 years ago. She coaches a variety of Special Olympics sports, including soccer, cycling, bowling, track and field, volleyball and basketball.

“I love coaching the Land O’ Lakes soccer team, but coaching Special Olympics athletes is a break from dealing with teenage high school girls who can be a handful,” King said. “Special Olympics athletes don’t bring any drama to the field and just want to compete.”

The Special Olympics, founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver of the famous political Kennedy family, is a way for mentally and physically challenged athletes to compete in the Olympics.

At the first games in Chicago, Shriver said to the athletes, “In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips: ‘let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’ Let us begin the Olympics.”

Shriver supported the Special Olympics until her death Aug. 11 of last year.

The games has grown to include high school athletics across the nation, and first appeared in Pasco in 1973. Today, the athletes compete in many different sporting events in four seasons throughout the year.

“Each child selects the sport they want to compete for each season and they are then divided by age and ability,” Lundin said. “At the county games in February, the athletes will be competing in track and field, soccer, cycling, bocce ball, tennis and volleyball.

“Those who advance go to the area games, which includes Pasco, Pinellas, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties, and then those who qualify will compete at Disney’s’ Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando,” she continued. “The state games are May 14 to 16.”

While the games are about the athletes, the Special Olympics could not go on without the student volunteers.

“Land O’ Lakes has a club called the Council for Exceptional Children, which has about 120 students who help at the games,” King said. “Other schools like Zephyrhills High (School) have a Special Olympics club too. I’d like to see more schools send volunteers because they really help bring the games together.”

One volunteer form Zephyrhills is Bulldogs girls soccer player Amber Morgenstern, who said volunteering in the Special Olympics is one of the best things she has ever done. It is volunteers like Morgenstern that make the Special Olympics happen.

“They help the games run smoothly, do crafts with the athletes when they aren’t competing and even compete with them in unified events,” King said.

A unified event is when volunteers compete with Special Olympics athletes, which King said is the trend at the games. An example of a unified event is soccer, which has teams of three Special Olympics athletes and two volunteers who play other unified teams.

“All people have to do to volunteer at the games is show up between 10:30 and 11 (a.m.) on either day at either school’s main office with photo identification,” Lundin said. “It’s that easy.”

Tourists Seeking Manatees Get Directions to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

By

Randy-Grantham-MUGI said don’t ask no stupid questions
and I won’t send you away.
If you want to talk fishin’
Well I guess that’ll be OK.

— “Don’t Ask Me No Questions”  Lynyrd Skynyrd-

By Randall Grantham

Community Columnist

Here in Florida, we have more than our share of invasive creatures and plants. Brazilian Peppers are poisoning the native plants in the Everglades and beyond. Melaleuca, or Punk trees are soaking up the ground water and crowding out the pre-existing foliage. Walking catfish and even some piranha are posing dangers to people and ecosystems alike. And don’t forget the pythons. It seems the Brazilian Pepper and Punk tree environment provides a perfect habitat for these abandoned, and now reproducing, former pets.

We also have our share of unique native plants and animals that attract attention and draw visitors from around the world. From our now-disappearing groves of succulent oranges with sweet smelling blossoms, to our palm tree lined beaches, to the alligators, sharks and manatees that frequent both our natural vacation destinations and are kept in some of our numerous zoos and aquariums.

All of these attract an entirely different type of invasive species who come here to experience the “real Florida,” tourists and transplants.

While I could stand a few less new residents, we need to welcome the tourists with open arms and cash registers. The time and money they spend here result in sales tax revenues and hotel surcharges that are big reasons why the state has no income or estate tax. So we need to be nice to them to keep it that way.

All of which brings me to the following – an apology to the family who was visiting Tampa earlier this year in search of the manatees. I apologize but please, you should know, do not ask my wife for directions. And if you do, at least know where you want to go.

Here’s what happened: She was, as usual, running late for work and was heading out to her car from the CVS on Fowler, when an unlucky tourist family, probably in search of Lowry Park, had the misfortune to be in need of directions when they were in proximity to my wife. But, to be fair to her, he could’ve been clearer.

As she was hurrying to the car, a hapless visitor excitedly approached her and, even though she was trying her best to avoid any contact with strangers, cheerfully asked, “Are you from around here”

“Yeah but I’m really in a hurry”, she responded, almost making a clean getaway until he uttered the words that hooked her, tree-hugger that she is: “We’re here to see the Manatees!”

Ginny loves the manatees and the whole “Don’t Hit Them With a Boat Propellor” cause, and this got her attention. She immediately dropped what she was doing and destroyed the guy’s enthusiasm, telling him, “Well, you’re way in the wrong place for that!” Totally forgetting about the manatee exhibit at Lowry Park, our excellent local zoo, and not even considering the Big Bend power plant where wild manatees come for heat and fresh water, she began sending them to Homosassa or, further, to Crystal River.

“Look I don’t have time to draw it out for you, but look on whatever map you’ve got in there and find US 19. Go north to Homosassa, H-O-M-O-S-A-S-S-A, turn left.”

“Will there be signs?” they hopefully asked.

“Nope,” Ginny calmly responded, “But if you really want to see them, you have to go to them.”

She didn’t just casually tell them this; she was passionate in her manatee talk.

“This is the place where they rehabilitate wounded manatees and there’s a cool underwater bowl observatory in a natural spring,” she explained.

Hurrying off, she pointed the way to the Interstate and left the visitors consulting the bones.

Only after she got down the street and saw the roller coasters of Busch Gardens did she wonder if they had a manatee exhibit. And it was then that she remembered the great manatee facilities at Lowry Park, right here in Tampa. What exactly was he looking for when he said, “We’re here to see the manatees”?

I don’t want to disparage her ability to give directions. She’s good, but only if you already know where you want to go. Leave it to her and you’ll have quite an adventure!

Ya’ll come back now, you hear!

Students use artwork to help charities

By

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

WESLEY CHAPEL — Students in Paula Smith’s art class have learned they have a lot to give to the world and she said they are happy to do it.

Victoria Jack, senior, completes a painting for her upcoming one-woman show where she will be raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Photo by Suzanne Schmidt.
Victoria Jack, senior, completes a painting for her upcoming one-woman show where she will be raising money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Photo by Suzanne Schmidt.

Smith, an art teacher at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, said she is proud of her students because they are always thinking of ways to help the community.

“The students are so wonderful,” Smith said. “They come up to me and tell me they want to do things to raise money for the community.”

The students create artwork to donate to local charities like the Hope for Hearts: A CHD Benefit Concert, the Relay for Life at Wiregrass and for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cady Gonzalez, a senior, is the co-president of the National Art Honors Society at the school. She said she came up with the idea for a calendar in order to raise money for the club. Students in the club created original pieces for the calendar.

Through the calendar, the club was able to raise $250, which will go to paying for a booth for the students at the Relay for Life at Wiregrass April 16 and 17.

“Last year we did the relay and had to put our stuff in the booth with the National Honor Society,” Gonzalez said. “This year we will have our own booth. We had a small silent auction last year but this year, since I am the president, I want it to be bigger.”

Gonzalez said she is inspired to help in the community because of her mother, Susan Gonzalez of Wesley Chapel.

“I volunteered at the Shriners Hospitals for Children over the summer,” Gonzalez said. “My mother encouraged me to volunteer there and to be involved in the community. She has always been community-oriented. I figure what better way to help people than through my art because it is my passion.”

Cady Gonzalez works on the setting for the play at Wiregrass with the help of Christian Castillo. Photo by Suzanne Schmidt.
Cady Gonzalez works on the setting for the play at Wiregrass with the help of Christian Castillo. Photo by Suzanne Schmidt.

Another student, sophomore Logan Klauder, said she is excited to be able to help The Children’s Heart Foundation. Klauder was painting at Starbucks, 1800 Bruce B. Downs, when Sarah Berg approached her.

Berg told Klauder that the painting she was working on reminded her of her son Trevor, who is a congenital heart defect survivor. She decided to buy the painting and also asked Klauder to create some paintings to be auctioned at the Hope for Hearts: A CHD Benefit Concert last weekend. Klauder ended up painting five pieces for the benefit concert.

“The paintings will help raise money for kids with heart defects,” Klauder said. “I had so many ideas so I just painted them all. I am just really happy to help and be a part of it.”

Every second Saturday of the month, students from the club paint at the Wesley Chapel Starbucks. Smith said it is a good experience for her students.

“It is good for them to get comments,” Smith said. “It helps with their self-esteem when they get comments from people other than me and their parents.”

Jessica Spana, sophomore, said that even though she is not in art this semester because she had to take drivers education, she still loves to go to Starbucks once a month.

“It is fun because people will stop and comment on something you are doing,” Spana said. “I get to see people I used to know and people who are interested in my paintings.”

Victoria Jack, senior, is the co-president of the NAHS and is also finishing up her senior project. She will have her one-woman art show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at Starbucks, 1800 Bruce B. Downs in Wesley Chapel.

“I am happy to have my show at Starbucks because that is the first place I ever sold a painting,” Jack said. “I put a lot of work into this show with doing the paintings, getting the location, finding a mentor and sending out invitations.”

At the event, Jack plans to have a silent auction for one of her paintings with the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

“I am big on helping with cancer,” Jack said. “I have had family members who had a scare and who have had cancer so I want to do everything I can to help. I like to help people.”

She said she has been inspired to create her paintings in some unusual ways like the first painting she created was from a dream.

“I love to paint with bright colors and I love symbolism,” Jack said. “Everything I paint has an eye in it because that is my signature.”

For more information, visit wrhs.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Athlete of the Week

By

All Jacked Up tournament champion

Team All Jacked Up of the Hillsborough County Recreational girls softball league won the Early Bird Tournament Jan. 23 to 24.

Players on the team are form Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, and the tournament had teams form Lutz, North Tampa and Brandon competing in it.

The team includes: Shannon McCarty, Lauren Kenny, Kelsey Combs, Jordan Hutchinson, Devyn Livesay, Helen Dailey, Morgan Harvey, manager Phyllis Combs, Athena Gembutis, coach Kendra Hutchinson, Anna Wilkins, Christine Rodhouse, Zizi Pawlus, coach Harry Combs and Jessica Bohotka.

Team All Jacked Up of the Hillsborough County Recreational girls softball league won the Early Bird Tournament Jan. 23 to 24.

Players on the team are form Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, and the tournament had teams form Lutz, North Tampa and Brandon competing in it.All-Jacked-Up-

The team includes: Shannon McCarty, Lauren Kenny, Kelsey Combs, Jordan Hutchinson, Devyn Livesay, Helen Dailey, Morgan Harvey, manager Phyllis Combs, Athena Gembutis, coach Kendra Hutchinson, Anna Wilkins, Christine Rodhouse, Zizi Pawlus, coach Harry Combs and Jessica Bohotka.

Check this out

By

Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Spring football back in Pasco County

PASCO COUNTY — Pasco County high schools will be allowed to have spring football games again starting this year according to Pasco athletic director Phil Bell.

The ban on spring games started 19 years ago, but this season all 12 public schools will be able to play games with other Pasco schools.

Part of the decision was made to bring more college scouts to the county during the spring, which is a time known for recruiting.

Details about the format of the games are not clear yet, but two are likely. The first is to play traditional games at different locations, while the other is to play them all at one location on the same day, known as a jamboree.

Alex Rogers commits to North Carolina-Charlotte

Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers

LAND O’ LAKES — Sunlake High School junior softball player Alex Rogers School verbally committed to play at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Rogers was one of two Florida players selected to participate in the Elite Future Nationals On Deck Softball Showcase in California last October. Only 70 athletes were invited.

Rogers has been a team-captain for the Seahawks for two years while playing center field. This year, she will move to shortstop to fill her team’s needs, according to Sunlake softball coach John Dawkins.

Jordan Davis headed to Monmouth

CITRUS PARK — Sickles High School boys basketball player Jordan Davis has committed to play ant Monmouth University in Illinois.

The senior has been rated as a top-five point guards in Florida and top-100 in the nation.

Davis led Hillsborough County with 7.4 assists per game as a junior, and is averaging 7.5 through 24 games this year.

Cannot always bring home the big one

By

By Capt. Ric Liles

Fishing Columnist

Despite being completely uncomfortable, fishing has been fairly good. Unfortunately, most of the fish we have been catching have been on the wrong side of the slot limit. I did experience a couple of horrific days out this past week, but when the weather was cooperative we did respectable. They certainly were not the greatest trips I’ve ever produced, but not bad.

Capt. Ric Liles and Jim Simmons with a redfish Simmons caught while fishing with Liles and Reel Simple Fishing Adventures.
Capt. Ric Liles and Jim Simmons with a redfish Simmons caught while fishing with Liles and Reel Simple Fishing Adventures.

I had a nice opportunity to get away last week when I took out Brad Wiegmann, an outdoor journalist from Arkansas. The only day he could go was the day the weather mother nature was angry. We had winds out of the northwest at 15 to 20 knots. That’s the worst direction for the wind to come from while trying to fish the South Shore area. We were only able to catch three fish that day and I don’t know if I have ever been more anxious to get off the water. The fish were not going to eat regardless of what we put in front of them.

It happens and that’s why they call it fishing and not catching. There were a lot of fishing stories and jokes told that day and I now have a connection to go striper fishing. So the day was not a total bust. I think Brad is going to have to be really, really creative when he writes that piece.

You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you about one of the unsuccessful trips instead of one of the successful ones. Truth of the matter is, I had a reader ask me the other day about the snook kill and then went on to say that we charter captains only tell about the good days and that our stories make fishing appear to be easier than it really is.

Well Mr. John Doe, that was for you. Charter captains do have bad days just like everyone else. We just don’t have as many. We have to contend with the same weather conditions and obstacles the average angler does. The one thing I can assure you of is that a charter captain worth his salt will take you to where the fish are. It’s up to God to make them eat. I feel better now that I have gotten that off my chest.

Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember, don’t let your kid be the one that got away. Take them fishing.

Putt to the coin

By

By Derek Highley

Golf Columnist

Everybody loves to step up to the tee and bomb a drive that flies high and far or hit that perfect iron shot. You know the one that is struck so squarely right on the sweet spot that you don’t even feel it.

Derek Highley as he demonstrates the “putt to the coin” drill. Photo courtesy of Derek Highley.
Derek Highley as he demonstrates the “putt to the coin” drill. Photo courtesy of Derek Highley.

The truth is when it comes to capitalizing on those nice shots you need to be able to get the ball in the hole. Nothing can derail a round quicker or is more frustrating than routinely missing short putts.

I am a firm believer that speed control is the most important factor when it comes to good putting. Using the “putt to the coin” drill is a great way to get the feel for hitting your putts the correct speed and to free yourself up from being locked in on the line when attempting short putts.

To get started, find an old cup hole on the practice green. You want to use an old cup as opposed to an open one because you want your ball to roll over the old mark so you can see how far past the hole you roll your putts.

Place a coin 18 inches behind the old hole mark. Why 18 inches? That is how far a put hit with the perfect speed should stop. This speed allows putts that are a bit off line to “lip in,” while it is still firm enough to not be affected by imperfection in the green. Your goal with this drill is roll putts to the coin placed behind the cup.

Then place a tee on each side of the old cup about half a ball width from the lip. The tees represent how the increased size of the cup from puts that “lip in” because of the proper speed. This will give you more confidence over short putts because you now have a bigger target.

Your focus should be on getting the right speed. Let the line take care of it self. Putts coming up short of the coin where not hit hard enough, while putts going past the coin where too firm. You will quickly discover your tendency.

You are now all set to start working on making more of those knee-knocking three to six-foot puts.

All great putters have one thing in common, superior distance control. Using this drill to help you improve your distance control will not only help you make more short putts, but also will transfer over and help with long and lag putting.

Plantation Palms golf students learn from the pros

By

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES — For the teaching team at Plantation Palms Golf Club, golf is life.

The group is led by the club general manager and Professional Golfers Association professional Dan Withers and includes teachers Jacob Halligan, Brent Fockle, Chris Cherok and Bill Thomas. The team is considered the best of the best by many.

Jacob Halligan, golf teacher at Plantation Palms Golf Club, as he played a round in Beaumont, Calif. Photo courtesy Greg Stephens.
Jacob Halligan, golf teacher at Plantation Palms Golf Club, as he played a round in Beaumont, Calif. Photo courtesy Greg Stephens.

Between them, they have spent thousands of hours on the green, competing on both the college and professional level.

“They have a wealth of knowledge beyond most amateur golfer’s imaginations,” student Kyle Williams said. “Jacob Halligan is the best golfer I’ve ever seen play on this course. He is a great teacher.”

Halligan, who heads up the teaching department, began golfing at age 2. He played consistently while growing up in Kentucky and received a golf scholarship to St. Leo University in 2003. After graduating, he began playing professionally. He then came to work at Plantation, training as an apprentice under Withers.

As an apprentice, he is learning the business side of golf, but he still aspires to conquer the sport itself. In fall 2009, he played in the PGA Qualifying School, a four-month tournament whose winners play on the PGA tour. He made it through the first round in Beaumont, Calif. and plans to play again in 2010.

“Golf is the hardest game there is because it’s just you against the course,” Halligan said. “If you mess up, you only have yourself to blame.”

Halligan teaches his students to pay attention and think before they make a move on the course. He said he likes teaching for many reasons. He likes teaching kids because they are excited to learn, and he likes teaching adults because he can help take their game to the next level.

“I like to see someone improve,” Halligan said. “It’s pretty rewarding.”

Halligan said students can expect top-quality instruction at Plantation, whether they take lessons with him or with one his co-workers.

“All the teachers here have a lot to offer,” he said. “Brent Fockle played for the University of New Mexico and really knows the game. Chris Cherok has taught for years and was general manager of Edwin Watts Golf Shop.”

Cherok also has a passion for teaching.

“I’ve been teaching for seven years,” he said. “I just love the game.”

Cherok teaches students what he considers the key elements to a good golf game.

“The main three points a golfer needs to focus on are grip, posture and alignment,” he said. “Without those, you won’t be where you need to be.”

Halligan said a good golfer never stops practicing.

“If you play and then you stop playing for a while, you’ll totally lose your game,” he said. “If you treat it like a hobby, you’ll only ever be mediocre.”

Mark Clare has learned a bit about golf from Halligan.

“Yeah, he’s taught me some things about golf,” Clare said while enjoying lunch at Plantation’s club café. “He really is one of the best golfers to ever play here. I see him working with the younger kids and they really look up to him. I’ve also seen him helping out a pro or two.”

Withers is proud of his teaching staff and their reputation in the community.

“We really do have one of the finest instruction teams in Tampa Bay,” he said.

Golf lessons are open to ages 4 and up. Halligan has taught little ones and recently, he taught basics to an 88-year-old man. Golf can be played at any age, he said.

“I never really had any lessons growing up,” he said. “I watched a lot of golf on TV and I practiced a lot. I kind of found my own way. I think that’s what makes me a good teacher. I don’t do drills and make it about rules. I make it about helping a person find their game.”

i9 Sports for sportsmanship and families

By

No ‘bench warming’ positions available

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

PASCO COUNTY — While high school sports are mainly about who wins and loses, i9 Sports is more about having fun and learning about sportsmanship.

Alexis Surin, 5, during i9 Sports of Pasco County’s soccer season last year. Photo courtesy of i9 Sports.
Alexis Surin, 5, during i9 Sports of Pasco County’s soccer season last year. Photo courtesy of i9 Sports.

“I really like the focus being on the kids learning to work together to get better,” said Jimmy Surin, onsite coordinator of i9 Sports in Pasco County. “It is also very family friendly to participate in the league because all the games are on the weekend or at night during the week, so it is easy for parents to take their kids to the games.”

Another main element of the league is the amount of playing time for each kid.

“We don’t have any benchwarmers here in i9 Sports,” said Jimmy Barbarise, league director in Pasco. “Everyone gets to play no matter what. There are no tryouts or drafts. We don’t have ringers out there while the average kid sits and watches. You can’t get better while sitting on the bench, so we make sure everyone plays.”

Barbarise received a degree in physical education from Western Governs University.

“I just love making a difference in kids’ lives,” Barbarise said. “I think i9 does that as well as any organization.”

Everyone playing is one of the core principles of i9 Sports, but experienced coaches do not need much encouragement to make it happen.

“There is a rule that each kid has to be in a game for at least one play 10 times ,” said Angel Santiago, flag football coach for more than three years. “You get a chart to write down who has played and the newer coaches usually have to use it to make sure, but I don’t even have to think about it any more. I split my team into two groups that go in every other drive, so my system makes sure all the kids play.”

Santiago’s three kids — Justin, Joshua and Nick— all play flag football and the family currently lives in Wesley Chapel.

The league is a national organization in all 50 states with more than 100,000 children participating according to the national organization. The name comes from the nine principles the league was founded — all of which start with the letter I.

“Those principles best symbolize the core values of the league,” Barbarise said. “It’s all about sportsmanship and having a good time.”

Barbarise’s kids — Christina, Marisa and Jimmy — all play flag football in the league.

“It’s all about flag football in my family,” Barbarise said. “They all play different positions, so the don’t have to split playing time with each other. Christina (14) is a quarterback, Marisa (13) is a center and my son Jimmy (12) is a linebacker.”

Surin’s son, Alex, plays flag football and basketball, while his daughter, Alexis, plays soccer in i9 Sports.

“It is great because I get to coach Alex (8) in basketball and Alexis (5) in soccer,” Surin said. “I grew up in New York City in Manhattan, so there weren’t a lot of youth leagues for me to play in. Here there are great fields for the kids.”

The national organization, which started in 2003, has flag football, soccer, basketball and cheerleading teams in Pasco. There are three seasons a year, each seven weeks long, for everything but cheerleading, which has just one season in the fall.

There are two divisions, Central Pasco and West Pasco, in i9 Sports. There are several teams with kids from both Pasco and Hillsborough County Lutz and Odessa, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, and teams from Zephyrhills and Dade City are also available most seasons.

The youth organization also as a Hillsborough and Pinellas County league. For more information on i9 Sports of Hillsborough and Pinellas, call Alex Miranda or Jason Arnold at (813) 805-8742.

The noncompetitive league has four age-groups: one for kids 4 to 6-years-old, one for 7 to 9, one for 9 to 11 and one for 12 to 15.

“Sometimes the senior division gets a little more competitive and we need to remind them that we are all here to have fun,” Barbarise said.

Pasco i9 currently has registration for its next season. For more information on the Pasco County league, call Barbarise at (813) 532-1507, or visit www.i9sports.com.

i9 Sports league registration deadlines for Pasco County

  • Soccer Feb. 15
  • Basketball March 15
  • Flag football March 31
  • i9 Sports nine principles
  • Imaginative
  • Innovative
  • Interactive
  • Integrity-driven
  • Impassioned
  • Inspirational
  • Instructional
  • Insightful
  • Inclusive