Golf Tourney Benefits UP Band

The Union Pines Band Boosters is hosting a golf tournament at 10 a.m. on May 2, at the Whispering Woods Golf Club. It will be a shotgun start, captain's choice format.

Cost is $50, which includes lunch.

SMS Holds Hoyt Kennedy Memorial 5K/Fun Run

The Hoyt Kennedy Memorial 5K/Fun Run, Family Fun Day and Health Fair, will be held April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at Southern Middle School (SMS).

Hoyt Kennedy, a beloved employee at Southern Middle School, died earlier this school year due to heart issues.

The 5K will kick-off many field day events at 9 a.m. To take part in field day events such as the Dizzy Bat Race, Three-Legged Race, and Field Goal Kick, one does not need to participate in the 5K.

Free health checks and information will be provided.

Donations will be accepted and all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association.

The cost of admission is $5 and T-shirts will be available for $5.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Soccer Instruction Offered

The Sandhills Futbol Club (SFC) will be providing training for under-five through under-eight-year-old players in a partnership with Seven Lakes Parks and Recreation.

The Seven Lakes North Program will start on April 25, and run every Saturday through June 6. U5 and U6 boys and girls will receive instruction from 9 to 10:15 a.m. U7 and U8 boys and girls will train from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

The training will take place inside the gates of Seven Lakes North, on the North Field, next to the Fitness Center.

The SFC instructor will teach players basic moves, dribbling, passing and the fundamentals of the game. Halfway through the session, players will be divided up by gender into small-sided teams for games.

The total cost for the six week program is $40 per player.

For more information, contact Todd Abbey at (910) 986-1281 or e-mail Abbey at todd@sandhillsfc.com.

Registration is available at www.sandhillsfc.com.

Pitch, Hit and Run Competition

Gospel Chapel is hosting Major League Baseball's local Pitch, Hit, and Run competition on May 2, at Hillcrest Park at 3 p.m.

The event is free to ages 7-14.

Local winners (each category, and all around champion) advance to sectionals with a chance to continue. Regional winners compete for the national championship at the MLB All Star Game.

Young Life in the Sandhills

Young Life in the Sandhills is hosting its annual golf tournament on May 12, at National Golf Club.

Corporate sponsorships are available for four golf entries at $800 per team or $200 for individual sponsorships.

Tournament is captain's choice with a shotgun start at 2 p.m. Prizes and dinner provided.

Registration deadline is April 28.

Call 910-315-7949, or e-mail ylsandhills@gmail.com.

Running Camp

Reebok's Mountain High Running Camp will be held in Mars Hill July 13 -18.

Middle and high school cross country camp features great trails, free Reebok shoes and a staff of elite U.S. and Kenyan runners and coaches.

Info and application at www.mountainhighrunning.com or contact Scott Simmons at coach@mountainhighrunning .com or 704-688-2814.

Sand Gnats Seek Players

The Sand Gnats baseball teams are looking for a few players to fill out their teams. The team needs players for its 45 and older, 35 and older teams.

The Sand Gnats are members of Senior Men's Baseball, a national organization. The Sand Gnats play in the 32-team Central North Carolina's Men's Baseball League.

For more information, call team manager Dennis Johnson at 603-5768.

Sandsharks Offer Swim Lessons

The Sandhills Sandsharks will offer swim lessons from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through May 23.

Lessons are $88 for all lessons or $52 for a six-lesson punch card.

For more information, contact Kendall Harper by e-mail at kendallharper13@hotmail.com

Little Patriot Football Camp

Dates have been set for the Little Patriots Youth Football Summer Camp.

The first phase, a technique camp, will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on June 11 and 12. The second phase, a full padded camp, is also from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 6 through 10.

Sponsored by Sandhills Optimist Club, the camp is available for students enrolled in kindergarten through the eighth grade. The staff will be led by Pinecrest head football coach Chris Metzger, members of his staff and area guest coaches.

The mission of the camp is to provide 20 hours of the best football instruction possible. Campers will learn the basics of all positions and get instruction in several phases of the game, including strength, speed, agility, special teams skill work and offensive and defensive drill work.

The cost is $200 per person. Checks should be made payable to Sandhills Optimist Club. Those interested are asked to register by June 1. No child will be excluded because of financial hardship.

All drills and sessions will be conducted in groups based on age. The camp combines individual and team skills/drills, and campers will improve as athletes and as people.

Camp attire is shorts, T-shirts, athletic socks, cleats and running shoes. Campers should bring lunch and plenty of water each day.

For more information, call Coach Metzger at 239-248-0808.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteer coaches are needed for all activities.

If interested, please call Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department at (910) 944-5902.

Youth Football League Seeks Players, Cheerleaders

The Sandhills Youth Football League, North Carolina's newest youth traveling football league, is looking for new teams for the inaugural 2009 football season.

Teams and cheer squads are open to all boys and girls ages 5 to 15.

The SHYFL will offer a disciplined, competitive environment under the offense-defense umbrella and tailored to the Sandhills.

If interested in joining the league, contact Karsten Ray at 910-487-6347 or by e-mail at fayettevillewarriors@yahoo. com.

You may also inquire about the new league at www.odyfa.o-d.com.