E-Newsletter / August 2008

Golfers came out to Support the Gainesville Sports Commission for their Annual Fundraiser

The Gainesville Sports Commission would like to thank all the Sponsors and Golfers for supporting their only fundraiser of the year the 19th Annual Gainesville Sports Commission Golf Classic on October 2nd at Ironwood. The day started early with an 8:00am shotgun start and ended later in the afternoon with lunch provided by Beef O’ Brady’s. The proceeds of this tournament allow us to continue our mission of fostering economic impact and promoting recreational opportunities for Alachua County through quality of sporting events. Thanks again to our Sponsors and Golfers for making this a successful event and see all of you at next year’s golf tournament.

Thanks to all of our Sponsors

MM Parrish James Moore & Co. Hilton University of Florida Dean & Betty SunState Federal Credit Union Gainesville Rugby Club Capital City Bank Florida Food Service Residence Inn by Marriott

Helen Gyllstrom CPA McGriff State Farm Insurance Vantage Image Davis & Monk Financial Springhill Suites by Marriott CH2M Hill Best Western Gateway Grand Meridian Napolatano’s

 

Registration is Open for the 8th Annual Gainesville Senior Games

The Gainesville Sports Commission (GSC) is proud to announce that registration is now open for the 8th Annual Gainesville Senior Games in Alachua County. The Senior Games is presented by Shands Health Care, and will take place from Oct. 16 to Oct. 19, 2008. The GSC invites all athletes, 50 and up, from Alachua County, the surrounding counties and the entire state to register and participate in over 12 exciting sports events. New to this year’s games is the 40 year old Master’s division in Swimming, Tennis, and Track and Field.

This year’s Senior Games will feature archery, basketball shooting, 3 on 3 half court basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, road race, tennis, swimming, table tennis, and track and field. The top five competitors in each age group for each sport will qualify for the State Senior Games in Lee County and the City of Cape Coral on December 6-14, 2008. This is a qualifying year for the National Senior Games in Palo Atlo, CA. Don’t miss out on the fun, friendships and the experience of the 2008 Gainesville Senior Games.

For more information about the Senior Games and to register please call Gainesville Sports Commission at 352-338-9300 or log on to www.gainesvillesportscommission.com , or email: jcacciatore@gainesvillesportscommission.com and let the Games begin!

The Senior Games are funded by the City of Gainesville and the Alachua County Visitors and Conventions Bureau. This Local Senior Games is sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation and is a qualifier for the Florida State Senior Games Championships.

 

Three Olympians’ Journeys Have a Gainesville Connection

While America watches the US Women’s Synchronized Swimming team performs for the world; it is hard to believe that Gainesville, FL has been a stop in three of the ten athletes’ journey to the Olympics. The three athletes Christina Jones, Meghan Kinney, and Annabelle Orme, have traveled to Gainesville in the past to compete at the largest synchronized swimming event in the world.

Next year the Gainesville Sports Commission will - for the third time - host the world’s largest synchronized swimming event for US Synchronized Swimming the Esynchro Age Group Championships will be held June 27th – July 4th, 2009 in the Stephen C. O’Connell Natatorium on the campus of the University of Florida.

In 1999, Christina placed 1st in Team and Trio and 2nd in Duet; and Annabelle placed 2nd in Team, 6th in Trio, and 7th in Figure in the Stephen C. O’ Connell Center pool. When Meghan competed in 2003, she placed 2nd in Solo, and 1st in Figures.

The eight day event will have over 1,200 girls participate from across the nation. The competition will feature team, duet, trio, and solo in age groups ranging from 10 – 18. Alachua County will be impacted by approximately a million dollars in visitor spending and about 5,000 room nights throughout the week. The local synchronized swimming club, the Gainesville Gaviatas, will not only be competing in this event, but will serve as the co-hosts with the Gainesville Sports Commission.

“Our partnership with the Gaviatas is a special one,” said Jack Hughes, the Executive Director for the Gainesville Sports Commission. “In 1999, they were only a fledgling group. Girls from the team volunteered but weren’t yet competitors.”

The Gainesville Sports Commission is honored to be hosting this largest synchronized swimming event in the world, the US Synchronized Swimming Age Group Championships. Look for future information on how you can watch Olympic hopefuls compete in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center pool, where past and present Olympians have competed before. Don’t forget to watch Christina, Meghan, Annabelle and the rest of the United States Team compete in Beijing.

---

 
Click here to view our Community Members and Partners
 
<< Back to Press Release Archive