Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source
Seeking seniors: Sports group offers fun times, friendship By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Seniors might live a less-active lifestyle than they did when they were younger, but Walt Bockmiller thinks they still have time for softball, golf, tennis, bowling and maybe volleyball. If not all of those activities, maybe one or two of them. Bockmiller, a Land O’ Lakes resident, started Senior Sports in 2011, and he organizes regular events for older residents that include a wide variety of activities. Whatever people choose to do, there are plenty of benefits in getting out and being active, he said. “It’s an opportunity for them to get out and start doing something rather than just being home shopping or watching TV,” Bockmiller said. ”It gives them an opportunity to meet people in a different kind of environment.” Bockmiller began Senior Sports by setting up softball leagues, since many people have some experience with baseball or softball in their youth. That starting point proved extremely popular, and he now has around 90 participants for those games. Counting tennis, bowling and golf, Senior Sports boasts more than 150 participants, and he said that tennis could prove to be the most popular of them all. While softball is designed for men and women ages 60 and older, the other sports don’t have an age limit. He said players could be in their 40s through their 80s.The oldest softball player turned 90-years-old last month. At 71 years old himself, Bockmiller might be expected to ease up on his schedule, but it’s simply not in his nature. He worked in recreation and leisure services management, and over his 47-year career, Bockmiller organized several activities, both with and without sports themes.
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FOOTBALL CAMP JULY 25
Fifth Third Bank and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks will host a football camp July 25 at Gulf High School, 5355 School Road in New Port Richey. The camp, designed for athletes in first through eighth grades, will feature games and contests, as well as skills lessons from Brooks. Participants also will receive a team photo,T-shirt and autograph from Brooks. The camp runs from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The cost is $53. To register, visit online at ProCamps.com/DerrickBrooksGulf.
NEW TENNIS LEAGUE
The Tri-County Tennis League is looking for individuals, teams and facilities to begin league play. It will include age divisions from 40s and older. League play also will feature ratings-only play regardless of age. For information, call Walt Bockmiller at (813) 527-8211.
MOOSE CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC JULY 19
The Moose Charity Golf Classic will be July 19 at the River Ridge Golf Club, 11022 Tee Time Circle in Port Richey. Registration is at noon, and the four-person scramble begins at 1 p.m.
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While he expected the participants to enjoy Senior Sports, he didn’t expect them to have quite as much fun as they’re having. He said people are “finding their smile,” and area residents who normally didn’t get out much are making friends and planning gettogethers off the field or court. Participants often go out to dinner, plan outings to see the Tampa Bay Rays, and even go on cruises together, Bockmiller said. Senior Sports is about sports, naturally, but without a focus on the competitive side. Instead, Bockmiller keeps the focus on having fun, giving out awards that are earned by good sportsmanship instead of athletic skill. Softball might appeal to more physically fit participants, while bowling is available for those who might not have that level of ability. Or, people can simply sign up to play whatever appeals to them. The activities are designed to be inexpensive and occur during various dates and times, allowing more seniors to participate. But whether a person plays every available activity or selects their favorite, or simply wants to meet new people, Bockmiller said they’ll come away with some fun memories and good people to share them. “There are a lot of friends that come out of this stuff. Some of my friends in tennis and golf, especially tennis, are friends for life,” he said. ”There’s a commonality that you have, and because of that you have a lot of laughs over the years. It’s just a lot of fun.” Co-ed slow-pitch softball is played from September through December, and again from mid-January through mid-April. Golf is played on a variety of courses year-round on Wednesdays. Bowling is played year-round in Lutz on Thursdays.Tennis and volleyball are new to the schedule. For more information about Senior Sports, contact Bockmiller at (813) 5278211.
Whatever sport a senior might enjoy, Walt Bockmiller probably has something on the schedule for them.
There will be cash awards to the top three places, closest-to-the-pin winners, raffles and other prizes. There also will be a car prize for a hole-in-one on the 13th hole. The cost is $45 per player. For information or to sponsor a hole, call Bob Farrell at (727) 534-2294.
battling pancreatic cancer. The shirts are $15 each, with all proceeds going to Keppel. For information or to make a donation, call (813) 406-5730, or send an email to either carolyn011jr@hotmail.com or kbdehaas@aol.com.
VOLLEYBALL CAMP STARTS JULY 21
CENTRAL FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
The No Name Reps volleyball camp will be July 21-24 at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill. The first session is for fourth through eighth grades, and runs from 9 a.m. to noon.The cost is $175 per player. The second session is for high school players, and runs from noon to 3 p.m. It costs $200 per player. For information, visit NoNameVBC.com, or email douglas@s1team.com.
SPORT ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS
Senior Sports is seeking players older than 60 for a number of regular co-ed sporting events. The group participates in golf every Wednesday and bowling every Thursday. It also has added tennis and indoor volleyball. For more information, call Walt Bockmiller at (813) 527-8211.
T-SHIRTS SUPPORT CROSS-COUNTRY COACH
“I Run For Keppel”T-shirts are available to help support Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country coach Kris Keppel, who is
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Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City, will host the Central Florida Open Championship Sept. 18-19. Up to 144 of the top professional and amateur golfers in central Florida are expected to compete on the club’s South course. Tee, range and custom flag sponsorships are available. For information, call Rick Weber at (352) 588-9200, or email rweber@lakejovita.com.
ROLLER DERBY GAME TO BENEFIT SHEPHERDS CENTER
Revolution Roller Derby, an all-female roller derby league, will play July 20 to benefit the Tarpon Springs Shepherds Center, which provides education, assistance and support to needy members of the community. Those who attend the game between the Rolling Valkyries from Tarpon Springs and NR3 from Sarasota are asked to bring canned or non-perishable food. The game begins at 6 p.m., at Astro Skate & Fun Centers, 875 Cypress St., in Tarpon Springs. The cost is $8 in advance or $10 at the
door, or $8 at the door with a food donation. Children 6 and younger are admitted free.Advanced tickets can be purchased at BrownPaperTickets.com. For information about the Tarpon Springs Shepherd Center, visit TSSCOnline.com. For information about Revolution Roller Derby, visit RevolutionRollerDerby.com.
SOCCER CAMP HIGHLIGHTS SPANISH STYLE
Ejje Soccer Academy is accepting registrations for its Tiki-Taka Day Camp July 21-25 at 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The camp is named for Spanish-style soccer that emphasizes short, crisp passing, and ball control. Coaches from Spain’s soccer leagues will be on hand, and select attendees could be chosen to travel and showcase their talents in Spain. For information, call (813) 355-6671, or visit ProSoccerSpain.com.
CHEER CLINIC AT SUNLAKE
The state champion Sunlake High School cheerleading team will host a Little Seahawk Cheer Clinic over four days in July. The event is targeted toward students of Oakstead, Lake Myrtle, Denham Oaks, Odessa and Rushe middle schools. The clinic will be July 21-23 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $25 per student and includes a T-shirt and an opportunity to cheer with the varsity team at a game. For information, email coach Pennye Garcia at pgarcia@pasco.k12.fl.us.