The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday, March 17, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D3 om's/Vo, /Votes To boldly g o ... under 100 By Norm Nelson BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR I hit the driving range for the first time this season on Monday at Family G olf Oakville. The temperature was just above freezing but their gas fired heaters cut the cold nicely. A lot of hardy folk, however, shunned the toasty covered tees for the outdoor tees. Count me as one of the many converts to the fast growing sport. I even remember when the spirit hit me. It was August 1997 and I started going to Family G olf Oakville a cou­ ple of times a week. It wasn't my first introduction. I had actually bought my first set o f golf clubs in college (darn near two decades ago). A rich friend had bought a new set and he told me to take the old ones. I said, "no, take $25." You could see I wasn't about to set the business world on fire. I used them sporadically and without much success. You know the type. Up at the first tee, and it's strike one! strike two! strike three! And you hope that when you do connect, that it at least makes it past the ladies tees in the general direction of the fairway. My conversion to the driving range didn't yield immediate results. In the covered tees at Family Golf Oakville, you wondered some days if the laws of physics were being broken. I swear, on one gargantuan swing I smashed the one- wood completely under the ball, which just lifted up a millimetre or two before settling back on the plastic tee. When I did connect with the ball it would go any­ where but straight out. Most embarrassing was when it would hit the roof above your head and start ricocheting through the stall like uranium at critical mass. Most deflating of all was when a decent player occu­ pied the adjacent tee. The smack of their ball sounded like a gun going off and the ball looked like a bullet. It became apparent that I wasn't a natural. I was no more going to start consistently smacking a golf ball than a monkey was going to sit at my computer key board at the Oakville Beaver and come up with something intelli­ gible (now there's a set-up). Most of us entry level players who shoot well into triple figures have managed to get our tips from players who also shoot in triple figures, albeit lower ones. Their supposed cure-all is ... "keep your head down, your eye on the ball." Yeah, and think nothing but good thoughts all day long, and you'll retire a millionaire at 45. Written language is often cited as one of the key traits that separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom (the savages). So, if it was good enough to preserve the Greek, Roman and other sundry empires, surely it could explain a little old golf swing. I avidly read several golf books and made one or two of them my golfing bibles, which I would read over and over. I practiced and practiced, at least a couple of times a week at either Family G olf Oakville or the Golf Domes. As late summer gave way to autumn and then to winter and then to spring, I found m yself duffing a lot less and becoming "cautiously optimistic." And then came the long awaited moment late last spring when I was to hit the links for real. Would I be a new man? Nah, I still couldn't crack 100. The best that I can say is that I started to experience a few magical moments on the golf course (other than the scenery), such as getting my first ever birdie on a par four (with three great shots). I wasn't too disappointed, though, and for a reason that may bode well for my future in the game. Unlike most duffers, I enjoy the driving range. I find it a great and healthy break from a busy day when I can fit it in (both timewise and financially). And last summer, if you'll believe it, there were times on the golf course when things were moving at such a snail's pace that I was wishing I was on the driving range averaging more than one ball every quarter hour. So, on August 8th, last year, I bought a basic set of used clubs (I can't even remember what happened to that old college set). Talk about poor timing. Two days later Angus was born (that would be my son). And well, I kind of took the rest of the summer, the autumn and all of this winter off. So, it was sure nice to be back out there on Monday, and you can bet that with the rosy forecast of rising tem­ peratures, I'll be back out there again this week. Back to what's turning into a five year mission to boldly go where no duffer has gone before -- under 100. ON ICE Ice available for rent Oakville Parks & Recreation Department 8 1 5 - 5 9 8 9 Summer Sports Schools at Appleby College Oakville Information: (905) 845-4681 Ext. 266 F u l l D a y P r o g r a m m e s Supervised Swim m ing • Excellent Instruction • Awards Tl \ \ 1 S Si I IOOI < I K Sc I IOOI Ages 8 -1 6 Beginner to advanced levels Expert Instruction $189 one week ($170 add'l week) "Sports D iscovery" Ages 5 - 6 1/2 day AM or PM Variety of sports & cooperative games $119 one week Ages 7 -1 4 Beginner to advanced levels Goaltending Instruction $149 one week ($120 add'l week) C ross C ountry Running "Be The Best You Can Be" Co-ordination, flexibility, focus and conditioning benefits across all sports. $119 one week 'Exploring T he Sports" Ages 8 - 1 4 Variety of activities emphasizing recreation, participation. Includes soccer, volleyball, swimming, softball and more! $189 one week ($160 add'l week) The OMHA playdowns... They're in OMHA finals Easter weekend The Oakville Rangers triple-A minor peewee rep team, sponsored by Polywheels, is once again headed for the OMHA championship playdowns which will be held Easter weekend in Windsor. Guelph gave the boys all they could handle before succumbing in a five game series. The Rangers started strong in the first game of the series, winning 5-3. The power line of Nick Dodge, Nick Davis and Brad McKenzie was awesome, cre­ ating a 4-0 lead before the second period was half over. McKenzie had a natural hat trick, wowing the crowd with his booming slapshot. Davis pitched in with a beautiful finesse goal. Dodge's fabu­ lous forechecking produced three assists. Davis and Andy McDonald also contributed assists. Guelph clawed back with three goals but McKenzie's fourth goal o f the night into an empty net salt­ ed the game away. Game two was a thriller which Oakville was lucky to win 3-2 in over­ time, after erasing deficits o f 1-0 and 2- 1. Justin Donati was first on the board for Oakville to tie the game at 1-1. Dan Ringwald got the assist on a nifty back pass. After Guelph went ahead midway through the second period, Nick Prescott took the game in his hands. He tied it up at 2-2 with a sizzling wrist shot, assisted by McKenzie and Brett Lain. With the tension mounting, the game went into a 10-minute, sudden death overtime. Prescott scored the game winner at 5:43 o f the extra period on a breathtaking rush, assisted by Lain. Chris Rowan was outstanding in goal throughout regula­ tion and overtime, keeping the Rangers in a game they were very fortunate to win. The comeback in game two proved vital as the boys dropped the next two games, 6-5 and 6-2. Guelph's big talent­ ed first line really began to control the play, and the rest of their players rose to the occasion. Oakville goals in these two games went to Prescott (2), Lain (2), McKenzie, Tyler Donati, and Geoff Pearce. Assists went to J. Donati (2), Jeff Nabeta (2), McKenzie, Prescott, Ringwald, Lain, Davis, and Michael Gomes. With another trip to the OMHA championship on the line, the Rangers put together one of their best games of the year, dominating Guelph in game five, 5-1. While the Rangers scored all their goals in the first, they spent the entire game challenging the Guelph goaltender. J. Donati scored first with some beautiful stick handling, assisted by T. Donati and Ringwald. Prescott popped one on a rush, barely a minute later, assisted by Lain and Nabeta. After a Guelph goal, three quick Ranger goals from Nabeta, McKenzie and Prescott capped the period. Assisting were Prescott, Dodge, Davis, Lain, and Pearce. Jonathan Allen stood tall in net as the Rangers ended the hard fought series. Oakville led into the Guelph series by blowing the Brampton B Battalion away in three straight games, 9-0, 7-1 and 10-0. Game one featured hat tricks by T. Donati and McKenzie. Other goal scorers were J. Donati, Dodge and Ringwald. Assisting were Nabeta (3), J. Donati (3), McKenzie (2), Ringwald, McDonald, T. Donati, and Conner Farris. It was Dodge's turn for a hat trick in game two and T. Donati kept pace with two more goals. McKenzie and Nabeta potted one each. Assists went to T. Donati (3), Dodge, Pearce, Lain, McKenzie, McDonald, Nabeta, J. Donati, and Ben Heersink. Chris Rowan posted his second straight shutout in game three, and McKenzie had another hat trick. J. Donati and Lain had two goals each and single markers went to T. Donati, Ringwald and Davis. Assisting were T. Donati (2), Gomes (2), Pearce (3), Davis (2), Nabeta, Lain, Heersink, Prescott, and Farris. Third round opponent is Grey-Bruce The Oakville Rangers triple-A minor atom rep team, sponsored by Spyral Productions, are meeting up with the Grey-Bruce Highlanders in a third round Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) series. The winner advances to the OMHA playdowns. The Rangers needed all five games to dispose o f Windsor in their second round series. Oakville were surprised 2-1 in the series opener on Feb. 27 despite out- shooting Windsor 21-8. Anthony Gomes scored, assisted by Paul Mooney. The floodgates opened for the Rangers in the second game on Feb. 28 as they blasted Windsor 9-3. Goals were scored by Marcus Pryde (3), Antony Gomes (2), Brandon DeFazio, Stefan Legein, Daniel Ruffo and Paul Mooney. Assists went to Paul Mooney (2), Michael Morrison (2), Taylor Farris (2), Brandon DeFazio, Alex Mackenzie, Kris Bonnell, Andrew Amodeo, Anthony Gomes, Chris Haltigin and Taylor Martin. Following a long ride to Windsor in a blinding snowstorm on March 6, the Rangers again lost a close 2-1 decision. The Rangers outshot the hosts 12-4 in the final frame but, as luck would have it, gave up the winning goal with just 1:44 remaining. Stefan Legin scored from Kris Bonnell. With their backs against the wall, the Rangers were at their most intense and intimidating best on March 7 as they skated to a 5-2 win, outshooting Windsor 31-11. Goals were scored by Brandon DeFazio (2), Anthony Gomes, Taylor Martin and Paul Mooney. Assists went to Kris Bonnell (2), Andrew Amodeo (2), Stefan Legein and Paul Mooney. Oakville completed the series come­ back with a 5-1 win in the series clincher on March 13. Both teams seemed to be feeling the tension and got off to tentative starts wrapping up a scoreless first peri­ od. The Rangers picked up the pressure in the second period only to be thwarted by the hot Windsor goalie. But the inevitable goal came at the 10:57 mark when Brandon DeFazio flipped the puck in through a crowd. Then exactly two min­ utes later Legein intercepted a Windsor pass and raced away on his own to tuck in the eventual winner. It was Windsor, however, who scored to close out the middle frame down only 2-1. Defazio potted the insurance marker 4:19 into the third period. Windsor gave a game effort to come back but the Rangers were in control and added to late goals by Taylor Martin and Anthony Gomes to wrap up the game. Assists went to Marcus Pryde (2), Kris Bonnell, Andrew Amodeo, Stefan Legein and Taylor Martin. • More playdown reports, page D4 Gold at inter-club finals The final stop in the inter-club championships was held earlier this month with the Central Ontario championships. Striking gold for the Oakville Skating Club were Jennifer Court and Tommy Dzamba in the juvenile compulsory dance. Earning silver were Eric Von Hagen in the pre-juvenile men's freeskate and Lauren Sule in the juvenile ladies freeskate. Here are the highlights ... Vikki Belchers placed 5th in gold ladies freekskate; Jessica Hudson placed 5th in junior silver ladies freeskate; Peter Ponert Jr. placed 5th in preliminary men's freeskate; Stephanie Van Veen and Adam Dawson placed sixth in juvenile compulsory dance; Melanie Vipond placed 8th in senior silver ladies freeskate; 6th in gold artistic. The Skaters Edge Challenge Competition was held recently and here's how the Oakville skaters fared. Krysten Becker placed 4th in preliminary ladies freeskate; Lauren Sule placed 7th in the juvenile ladies freeskate; Jessica Hudson placed 8th in the junior silver ladies freeskate; Peter Ponert Jr. placed 9th in the preliminary men's freeskate; Sara Leggett placed 11th in junior bronze ladies freeskate; Lisa Telebar placed 11th in juvenile ladies freeskate; Mandy Poremba placed 13th in the senior bronze ladies freeskate. H ornets already looking forward to 'Tournam ent 2 0 0 0 ' next year (Continued from page D3) Arnold's settled for a 3-3 tie, allowing the Halton Twisters to pocket the equalizer with 41.6 seconds remaining. Arnold's goals were scored by Arlie Belliveau (2) and Lindsay Philpott. Stephanie Logue had an assist. Tara Ramakrishnan provided the Hornets with fine forecheck­ ing and determined backchecking. Game three saw Arnold's on the good side of another 3-1 verdict over Mississauga. Goals were scored by Belliveau, Alicia Hough and Chiarucci. Helpers went to Lindsay Philpott (2), Susan Maloney, Belliveau and Hough. Kim D 'Oliveira and Laura Bowie provided a sound defence in front of Amanda Keen who maintained a 1.66 average in the tourney. The championship game was a real nailbiter, scoreless at the end of regulation time and overtime. Then came the dreaded shootout. Hough hit the post, Philpott was robbed but Arlie Belliveau notched the winning marker. Backup goalie Gillian Johnson was outstanding between the pipes, blocking all three talented Mississauga shooters. TOURNEY NEW S The awards presentation was held Sunday night. Besides the above noted gold medal, three Oakville teams earned silver medals -- Oakville Ferrone Fitness (novice house league), Abbey Animal Hospital (atom house league) and Future Logistics (peewee rep). Fifty-two teams and 900 players attended the third annual Hornets tourney. Feedback from the coaches, par­ ents and players indicated everyone had a great time and suggested they would return for the fourth annual 'Tournament 2000', slated for next February. The weekend kicked off Friday night with the skills competition at Ice Sports and with Toronto Maple Leafs great Darryl Sittler in attendance. The first goal o f the tournament was scored by Bobbi Jo Cooke, playing on the Abbey Animal Hospital team. Congratulations. And finally, a word from one of the organizers, Ron Cook: "The highlight for me and I 'm sure for most of the volunteers was in the presentation of the medals. "We all worked hard and put in many, many hours this past weekend, but I knew it was worth it when I saw the smiles on the girls' faces when we handed the 1st and 2nd place medals out." OAC at Newmarket meet (Continued from page D3) The 200 medley relay team of Ian Ford, Gareth Chantler, Kyle Welsh and Mark Thauvette placed 4th. The 200 free relay team of Mark Thauvette, Ian Ford, Joey Bajcar and Kyle Welsh placed 5th. In the 13/14 girls division, Kate Plyley was in the final eight in all of the vents she swam. She was third in the 200 free, 4th in both the 800 free and 200 fly, 5th in both the 100 fly and 100 free and 7th in the 400 I.M. In the 13/14 girls 200 medley relay, Plyley joined up with Kristy Carson, Laura Townsend, Michelle Bailey and Melanie Treharne to place 4th. In the 200 free relay, Kristy Carson, Kristie Labett, Laura Townsend and Kate Plyley raced to an 8th place finish. The 11/12 girls 200 medley relay of Laura Schubert, Melanie Treharne, Laura Connor and Candace Welsh raced to a 7th place finish. In the 11/12 individual events, 12-year- old Melanie Treharne placed 8th in the 100 breast. Other fine top-16 place finishes by Oakville swimmers were as follows: • in the 11/12 boys age group, Scott Samuel placed 11th in the 200 back and 16th in the 200 fly; and Simon Borjeson placed 14th in the 200 free; • in the girls 15/16 age group, Krissy Bajcar placed 10th in the 50 free, 11th in the 100 breast and 16th in the 200 I.M. • in the boys 15/16 age group, 15-year-old Blake Williams placed 10th in the 15/16 100 breast. NEW M A RK ET M EET During the same weekend Oakville also had a contingent of swimmers at the Surfside Invitational in Newmarket for the U -l 1 as well as the 11-and-older swimmers who did not qualify for provincials. In her last meet as a 10-year-old, Megan Provost won the 10 and under girls high point award, winning the 50 and 100 back and the 100 and 200 free events. She placed second in both the 50 free and 50 fly. Her stiffest opposition came from teammate Jessica Plata who finished second in what was also her last meet as a 10- year-old. Plata won the 50 and 100 breast stroke events (with new club records in both events), placed second in the 100 fly, 200 free, 100 back and 100 free. In the 10 and under boys age group, 10-year-old Drew Gray placed 2nd in both the 200 free and 50 breast and t3rd in the 50 back, 100 free, 200 free and 100 I.M. Nine-year-old Sam Thrall placed second in 50 fly, 100 fly and 100 I.M. and 3rd in the 100 free. Cameron Cummings won silver in the 50 back and 3rd in the 100 breast. SIGN UP There are still spots available in the club's Olympic Way (entry level) program. Call Melanie MacKay at 639-9610. Good show at Burlington tourney TO R O N TO M ODEL RAILW AY SHOW M arch 2 0 th & 2 1 st, 1999 FREE P A R K IN G SA T U R D A Y S U N D A Y 11 am to 6 pm 10 am to 5 pm TORONTO CONGRESS CENTRE 650 Dixon Road, Toronto, Ontario Admission Prices Include G.S.T. Adults $9 00 Children 6-14 $4°° Seniors s6°° 5 & Under_____ FREE F am ily R a te (5 P erson s-N ot M ore Than 2 A dults) *25°° GST included in all admission prices 60,000 SQUARE FEET OF EXHIBITS FEATURING Operating Layouts, All Scales, Videos, Demonstrations, Live Steam, Collectable old t r a in s , 1 5 0 vendors and much more. For V endor Inquiries & Inform ation , call Jack Bell (416) 2 4 9 -4 5 6 3 Sponsored by T oronto & York D ivision of C anadian Railroad H istorical A ssociation Bronte Tae Kwon Do in Oakville competed at the recent Master Kim's Invitational Olympic style taekwondo tourney in Burlington. The club picked up eight first-place finishes, 10 seconds and five thirds. Competitor P S Willy Joyce 2nd 1st (Black belt) Chelsea Plunkett 1st - Bill Pallo 2nd 2nd (Orange stripe) (Blue belt) Karen Meakings 1st - Nancy Whyte 2nd 3rd BJ Meakings 1st 1st Alex Pallo 2nd 1st Lindsay Tell 2nd 2nd (Green stripe) Mitchell Tell - 2nd Alysha Guerriero 3rd - Alexandra Guerriero 3rd 2nd (Orange belt) (Yellow belt) Joshua Steffens 3rd 2nd Ben Dehooge 3rd 1st Carleigh Joyce 1st - P / p a t t e r n s ; S / s p a m n g M A R C " J® M a p leSyrup m o n t h W eekends a^ . v9*) P A R K S Bronte Creek H orsedraw n w agon rides, pancake house, gift store, candy shanty, syrup trail, m aple sugar dem onstrations, costum ed interpreters and tours o f the tum -of-the-century farm house. D uring the w eek, education program s are available. Please call to reserve a program . Located betw een O akville and Burlington, north o f the Q.E.W ., exit 109 (B urloak Drive). (905)827-6911.