February 2010 Game On! The Monthly Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission

In this Issue 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival • 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian The 2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), in the arena every Saturday night with special Festival is Back! the longest running equestrian festival in the world entertainment, from music to street carnival per- • George Linley Announced as is in full gallop at the Palm Beach International formers. New Executive Director Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington.

• Delray Beach International This premier equestrian festival, which runs from Championships January 13 through April 4, puts the eyes of the • Palm Beach County Sports Hall horse world directly on Palm Beach County and of Fame Banquet creates $57 million in annual local economic im- • 2010 NFL vs S.W.A.T. Softball pact. The event also provides extensive media cov- erage across the globe. The Palm Beach County Showdown II Sports Commission supports the WEF through its grant program.

Sponsors The WEF attracts the finest horses, riders, train- ers, and owners from 23 countries and 46 states with Olympic medalists and World Champions FTI WEF competing for almost $6 million in prize money. Schedule Highlights The WEF has evolved into a first-class spectator sporting event and entertainment destination not just for equestrian aficionados, but for the general February 28: $25,000 1.50M Suncast Classic public as well.

To enhance the experience for both participants March 5: $75,000 FEI Nation’s Cup presented and spectators, the PBIEC is undergoing signifi- by CN – the best teams from the world compete cant improvements, including new food and bev- against each other. erage options. The “Trough” Sports March 13: $200,000 World Cup GP Bar presented by FEI presented by CN Pine Hollow is scheduled to open March 27: $500,000 FTI Consulting soon. This venue Finale G P FEI CSI 5 will overlook the Rost Arena and General Admission is free. Parking is $20 offer casual dining per car on evening events and Sundays with several wi- with a Grand Prix. descreen TV’s for viewing your favorite sporting events. Other ma- For more information about the 2010 FTI jor improvements include a permanent kitchen to Winter Equestrian Festival visit enhance the quality of food and service through- www.EquestrianSport.com out the property. Newly added “Saturday Night Lights” will showcase Grand Prix show jumping Upcoming Events New Executive Director Selected For a complete listing of all upcoming events, check our website at George Linley, a seven-year veteran of the Palm www.PalmBeachSports.com. Beach County Sports Commission, was selected as the organization’s new executive director. Linley has built a reputation for successfully identifying and Delray Beach International Tennis Championships bringing national and international sporting events February 20 - 28, 2010 - Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center to Palm Beach County, and lending his planning The 18th annual Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (ITC) is a and logistical expertise to the events and partner 9-day extravaganza where fans can watch the top players in the world , but also organizations. enjoy a nostalgic trip through tennis history to see their favorite players of all time. Scheduled for Feb. 20 -28, 2010, the ATP World Tour and ATP Champi- “We’re proud to have someone of George’s stature take over the helm of the ons Tour events will be staged at the same venue—with current ATP stars James Palm Beach County Sports Commission,” said Patty Dent, president of the Blake, , and the Bryan Brothers appearing on the same PBCSC. “George is a proven results-oriented sports industry professional who courts as John McEnroe, Patrick Rafter and . possesses an enviable combination of experience and passion, to not only reach – but surpass our goals.” C.V. Whitney Cup February 21 - 28, 2010 - International Polo Club Prior to the PBCSC, Linley served as a marketing sales executive for Roger This tournament is named for Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, who along with Dean Stadium, where he successfully developed and marketed advertising his brother John Hay Whitney were important polo patrons in the 1930’s. Son and sponsorship packages to a variety of national companies. Linley earned a of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. was an active competitor master’s degree in business administration, with a sports management concen- with 3 wins in the U.S. Open (2 of them against his brother), and a renowned tration from Florida Atlantic University, and a bachelor’s degree in business owner and breeder of Thoroughbred race horses. management from Palm Beach Atlantic College. MLB Spring Training February 25 - April 4, 2010 - Roger Dean Stadium Delray Beach International Tennis Every February the St. Louis Cardinals and Florida Marlins bring their Major Championships bringing Worldwide League teams to Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL to begin preparation for Attention to Palm Beach County the upcoming season. Spring Training offers a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful weather to enjoy a baseball game. The City of Delray Beach is gearing up for the 2010 Delray Palm Beach Challenge Beach International Tennis Championships (ITC), which February 27 - March 28, 2010 now includes two ATP tour events packed into a nine-day NCAA and NJCAA baseball teams travel to Palm Beach County during their tennis extravaganza between February 20 and 28. spring breaks to compete in this collegiate level spring training forum. Teams will practice and compete in sanctioned NCAA and NJCAA games. The event Appearing at the Delray Beach Tennis Stadium & Cen- will take place at the Santaluces Athletic Complex. Approximately 50 to 60 ter, which is a short stroll from the attractions of Atlan- teams are expected to attend the event. tic Avenue, will be ATP World Tour stars , Tommy Haas, Mardy Fish and the Bryan Brothers. John McEnroe The Honda Classic March 1 - 7, 2010 - PGA National Resort & Spa The Honda Classic will take place on March 1-7, 2010 at the PGA National John McEnroe, and his fellow legends of the ATP Champions Tour, will be play- Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. This PGA Tour event attracts some of the ing in the first Tour event in the world’s best golfers. The tournament will consist of 144 golfers competing over United States. They kick off their 72 holes. Golfers are competing for a total purse of $5.6 million. four-day round robin tournament on Sunday, February 20, while the Spring Fling ATP World Tour starts Monday, March 1 - 31, 2010 - Lake Lytal February 22. The ATP Champi- Spring Fling is the largest spring training event in the country for women’s col- ons Tour final is Tuesday, Febru- legiate lacrosse and secondary prep schools. Teams will travel during their spring ary 23, with the ATP World Tour break and conduct scrimmages and official NCAA contests throughout their singles and doubles finals taking stay. The event will be held at several locations including Mirasol Park in Palm place Sunday, February 28. Beach Gardens, Lake Lytal in West Palm Beach, Katz Field in Royal Palm Beach Attendees enjoying the weather and amenities at and Village Park in Wellington. the Delray Beach Tennis Stadium & Center Individual tickets for all 17 sessions of the 18th annual event, as well as a va- riety of ticket packages, can be purchased by calling 561-330-6000 or on the ITC Website at YellowTennisBall.com.

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1410 •West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125 2010 Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame

On Sunday night, March 21st at the Palm Beach County Convention Cen- Jeff Goldberg, St. Andrews School, Lacrosse – Goldberg coached the St. An- ter, ten elite athletes and sports contributors will be inducted into the Palm drews School boys lacrosse team to its seventh straight state championship (the Beach County Sports Hall of Fame – including baseball legend Hank Aaron first five were club titles), beating Lake Brantley of Altamonte Springs in fthe and NFL Pro Bowl running back Fred Taylor. Rounding out the impressive inals 19-5. The school’s 2009 record was 24-0, resulting in their first unde- group of the 2010 inductee class are: feated season since 1995. At end of the 2009 season, St. Andrews was ranked 10th in U.S. and first in Southeast. Leo Armbrust - Contributor Leonard Banks - Coaching Jessie Hester, Glades Central HS, Football – Hester coached Glades Central Richard Ellington - Contributor to the 2009 State 2A championship game losing to Cocoa, finishing the sea- Margie Engle - Equestrian son with a 13-1 overall record. He played 11 years in the NFL, in his career Loring ‘Snag’ Holmes - Swimming he played in 147 games and caught 373 receptions for 5,850 yards and 29 Marilu Almeida Hunt - Softball touchdowns. Dottie Pepper - Golf Robert Zammit - Baseball High School Athlete of the Year Matt Elam, William T. Dwyer HS, Senior, Football – In 15 games, Elam Another notable component of the March 21st event is the Annual Sports rushed for 1,898 yards and 27 TDs on 178 carries as Dwyer won the 4A state Awards, which honors the top athletic accomplishments in 2009. The Palm championship. As a linebacker he made 80 tackles. Elam was awarded the Beach County Sports Commission recently announced the finalists for the Lou Groza High School Player of the Year as both a junior and senior.He also awards comprised of an elite group of homegrown talent. The list includes received the 2009-10 Gatorade Florida Player of the Year award. He has com- NFL superstars; top golf, baseball, tennis, lacrosse and football coaches; and mitted to play at the University of Florida. some of the most talented soccer, golf, track and football athletes in the na- tion. Hasani Sinclair, American Heritage HS, Soccer – Sinclair was 2009 Gato- rade’s Florida Player of the Year with 47 goals and 14 assists for 2A state cham- “The selection process is extremely challenging given the high caliber of ath- pions. He was also a member of the U.S. under-18 national team, which won letes that we’re blessed to have in Palm Beach County,” said Joe Ceravolo, gold at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January. He attends the chairman of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s Hall of Fame Com- University of South Florida. mittee. “Many of the finalists, and even nominees, would be considered shoe- ins to win their respective categories if only they lived somewhere else in the Kelvin Taylor, Glades Day HS, Freshman, Football – In 14 games as a run- state or country.” ning back had 295 carries, 2,601 yards, and 49 TDs with 4 TDs in the 1B FINALISTS FOR THE 2009-10 ANNUAL SPORTS AWARDS championship victory. Amateur Athlete of the Year Coach of the Year Beth Daniel, Delray Beach, Golf – Beth Daniel was captain of the U.S. Susan Cohn, Palm Beach Gardens, Golf – Susan won the Palm Beach County golf team that won the Solheim Cup 16-12 over the Europeans in biennial Women’s Amateur Championship for the third straight year and sixth time matches, and played on eight U.S. teams from the Solheim inception in 1990. since 2000, on 6 different courses. Daniel was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Jacoby Ford, West Palm Beach, Football and Track – The Cardinal Newman graduate is both a football and track star at Clemson Uni- Rudy Garbalosa, Lynn University, Baseball – Garbalosa coached Lynn Uni- versity. As a wide receiver, Ford had 64 receptions for 824 yards and versity’s baseball team to its best season in school history by winning the 2009 7 touchdowns. Clemson’s football team played in the ACC Champi- NCAA Division II National Championship. Garbalosa led the team to it’s first onship game, and finished the year with a victory at the Music City national baseball crown, and 19th title in school history. The team finished the Bowl. In track, Ford is an NCAA champion in the 60-meter indoors. year with a remarkable 46-16 record.

Janoris Jenkins, Pahokee, Football – The Pahokee graduate is now a sopho- Richard Williams, Tennis – Richard guided his daughters, Venus and Ser- more defensive back for the University of Florida. During the 2009 season, he ena Williams, to the pinnacle of the tennis world. Both Serena and Venus had 24 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. made it to the 2009 Wimbledon Finals. Serena had a record of 50 wins The Gators played in the SEC Championship game and finished the year with and 12 losses while Venus had a record of 38 wins and 16 losses in 2009. a Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Professional Athlete of the Year

High School Coach of the Year Santonio Holmes: The Glades Central High School graduate scored the winning touchdown with 35 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIII to give Jack Daniels, William T. Dwyer HS, Football – Daniels coached William T. the Pittsburgh Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for Dwyer to a 4A State Championship, the first in the school’s history. Dywer the Steelers’ record sixth Super Bowl title. Holmes was named MVP of ended the season with a 14-1 record after losing the season opener to Glades Super Bowl XLIII with 9 receptions for 131 yards and the game win- Central 21-7. Daniels won the Lou Groza Coach of the Year Award in both ning touchdown. During the 2009-10 season, had 78 receptions for 2008 and 2009. Coach Daniels has compiled a 128-36 record over 14 years. 1,243 yards and 4 touchdowns (through January 1, 2010).

1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1410 •West Palm Beach, FL 33401 • 561.233.3180 • 561.233.3125 2010 NFL vs S.W.A.T. Softball Showdown II

Another successful year at Roger Dean Stadium has passed for the NFL vs. S.W.A.T. Softball Showdown II. The game showcased NFL players against members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. force. This year’s event provided spectators with an up-close look at some of their favorite NFL players and an opportunity for autographs.

The event is sponsored by the Heath Evans Foundation, created by New Orleans Saints’ fullback Heath Evans, who played high school football for The King’s Academy in Palm Beach County. Proceeds from the event go toward the Foundation’s mission of providing hope and healing for sexually abused children. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is provided support for this event.

Corporate Sponsors

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