The First Tee of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, a nonprofit youth development program that teaches life skills and promotes character development through the game of golf, recently received grants from the U.S. Golf Association and the PGA of America. The program combines the teaching of golf skills and life skills at its learning facility at Colonial Terrace Golf Course in Ocean Township as well as affiliate sites at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Lakewood and Suneagles Golf Course at Fort Monmouth.
Since its inception in 2008, the program has served over 2,400 youngsters. Available to all boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 17, it offers many opportunities to learn the game of golf from skilled professional teachers and to have access to golf courses. There is a nominal fee, and scholarships are available.
To register for the program or for details, go to www.thefirstteemonoc.org or call 732-759-2170. Adults interested in volunteering should contact Bryan Haltigan, program director, at bhaltigan@thefirstteemonoc. org.
New Jersey Sports Writers Association (NJSWA) named the Sky Blue FC women’s professional soccer team as Team of the Year at its annual awards banquet held at the Pines Manor in Edison. The NJSWA also honored team captain Christie Rampone as its Sportswoman of the Year.
The U13 girls Old Bridge Thunder soccer team seeks dedicated players for the spring and fall seasons. The team is professionally coached and trained by a UEFA B licensed full-time coach and play in the MAPS division of JAGS. Practice facilities are conveniently located (players are from Middletown, Holmdel, Matawan, Morganville, Manalapan and Staten Island). Fees, not including overnight travel, registration and uniform, are about $500 per year, including fundraising. Tryouts are in May. Those interested in attending a training session, guest playing or wanting more information, contact Chuck Mantione at 732-241- 2441 or email at [email protected].
Senior citizens age 60 and older have an opportunity to join the BlueClaws Silver Sluggers Club program in 2010. For $9.95, members get an official hat, a membership card, one ticket per member to two Tuesday games (nine games in total to choose from), and a 20 percent discount at the ClawsCove on Tuesday nights. Seniors also eat free at every Tuesday game. Details: 732-901- 7000, ext. 162. The program is presented by Harrogate and Colonial Penn Life Insurance Co.
Jersey Shore Boca Soccer Club, based in Toms River, will enter two under-23 teams in the Mid-Atlantic Summer Showcase League (MSSL) and is searching for the top men’s and women’s college-age players from the Shore area to join the club for the spring and summer. All college-age players and high school seniors who are born on or after Aug. 1, 1986, are eligible to participate, provided they have not signed a professional contract with the U.S. Soccer Federation. Selected players will be invited to attend initial tryouts in the spring. The adult level of MSSL is specifically designed for collegiate players under the age of 23 and is fully sanctioned by the U.S. Adult Soccer Association, the national governing body for adult amateur soccer. Home games will be played at the John Patrick Sports Complex in Lakewood. All interested players should go to jerseyshoreboca.com, click on the U23 team tab, and submit their soccer background along with any playing references.