Win Free Tickets to the LPGA Classic at
La Costa Resort and Spa

March 22-28

The LPGA Classic, presented by J Golf, will be held March 22-28 at the world renown La Costa Resort and Spa, continuing a long history of women’s professional golf in San Diego and extending a storied tradition of professional golf at the iconic coastal resort.

This event will be leading off the LPGA U.S. tour for 2010 with a $1.7 million purse and a field 144-players. According to the new incoming LPGA commissioner, Michael Whan, “This (LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf) is our first full-field event for 2010, so if you really want to see the LPGA – the whole LPGA – it’s a unique opportunity for folks in this area. Because this is going to be every name you know and a few that you probably don’t, but will. They’ll all be on display. We’re the week before the first major of the year – no players take the week before the first major off, and no players take the first full-field event off. So before you call us and say, ‘Is so-and-so going to be there?’ you can do your own homework and say the answer to that is yes.”

Some of the U.S and international players that are expected to be headlining a strong field include Mexican superstar and Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year Jiyai Shin, American No. 1 Cristie Kerr, young American stars Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lincicome, and other standouts such as Japan’s Ai Miyazato and South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi.

Commissioner Michael Whan is very excited about this particular tournament as well as the prospects for the LPGA 2010 women’s championship golf season. Whan exclaims, “If you’ve not been to an LPGA event, it will only take you one to become a lifelong fan, like it did me...it’s a special brand, and it’s a special group of athletes.” Whan is no stranger to North County or the professional golf industry. He lived in Carlsbad for many years and worked for Taylor Made-Adidas. Whan continues, “Being a San Diegan, I’m excited that this area gets to be the first that really gets the full menu of the LPGA. Those players are going to be in ‘Go’ mode, thinking about the tournament and thinking about what’s around the corner. From a fan perspective, I think it’s going to be a special event.”

The LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf will continue a long tradition of professional women’s golf in San Diego, beginning in 1953 with the San Diego Open. Most recently, Choi became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2009 Samsung World Championship, held at storied Torrey Pines Golf Course. In the 55 years between, San Diego tournament winners have included the likes of LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls and many other prominent LPGA stars.

La Costa Resort and Spa will host an official LPGA event for the first time when it welcomes the LPGA Classic Presented by J Golf, though the majestic coastal resort is no stranger to professional tournaments. La Costa most recently hosted the PGA tour’s World Golf Championships (WGC) Accenture Match Play Championship (1999-2006). Its longest-running tournament brought the PGA tour’s best to La Costa from 1969-1998, first as the Tournament of Champions and later as the Mercedes Championship. It also hosted the CBS Golf Classic in 1965, and was home to the Haig Scotch Mixed Foursome Championship from 1965-67.

The LPGA was founded in 1950 and today boasts a membership comprised of world-class LPGA Tour professionals and more than 1,300 dedicated Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP). Players on the LPGA Tour, who represent more than 25 countries, compete globally showcasing the very best of women’s professional golf. LPGA T&CP members directly impact the growth of the game through teaching, coaching and management positions, and oversee programs aimed at increasing the involvement of women, girls and youth in golf. The LPGA’s vision is to inspire, empower, educate and entertain by showcasing the best golf professionals in the world. Its mission is to be a leader in the world of sports, to promote economic empowerment for all members, and to serve as role models on and off the course. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.

J Golf is a Korean based 24-hour cable & satellite golf channel covering various golf tours such as the LPGA Tour (beginning in 2010), KLPGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, JGTO and the JLPGA tour. J Golf offers golfing event programs and golf news coverage from around the globe.

WIN FREE TICKETS!

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Feb. 12-28

Local Athletes Compete for Gold

Paralympic Winter Games Mar. 12-21

By Sarah Fierro

Every four years, athletes from around the world come together to represent their countries in the Olympic Games. This year’s Vancouver Winter Olympics begin with a special Opening Ceremony on February 12 at 6pm. This will be the second Winter Olympics and third overall Olympics hosted by Canada.

The winter games include ski jumping, alpine, cross country, and freestyle skiing. Ice hockey, speed and figure skating, luge, bobsledding, snowboarding, and ice hockey are also highlighted sports. Other, lesser known competitions are curling, which is like shuffleboard on ice, and skeleton sledding (a face-first version of luge).

Local San Diego athletes will step up to the challenge at the Vancouver Games. Figure skater Rachel Flatt is only 17 years old and was born in Del Mar. She now resides and trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jeret Peterson lives in Park City, Utah. He has trained at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista and will compete in ski events. Snowboarder Shaun White is from Carlsbad and owns a home there by the beach. He has been dubbed the “Flying Red Tomato” because of his long red hair and his astounding acrobatic performances in both snowboarding and skateboarding.

Events will take place in Vancouver, British Columbia at the Vancouver Olympic Centre as well as the Canada Hockey Place, Pacific Coliseum, and UBC Thunderbird Arena. Events in other areas are scheduled at Whistler, Richmond, and West Vancouver. Opening and closing ceremonies will take place at Vancouver’s BC Place.

This year, the Paralympic Winter Games for athletes with either physical or visual disabilities are March 12-21. The Opening Ceremony will be on March 12 at 6pm, and the Closing Ceremony will be on March 21, at 7:30pm. Events include alpine and cross country skiing, ice sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, and biathlons.

Tickets are available online and are being auctioned on the fan-to-fan marketplace at the official Vancouver 2010 website. More than 100,000 event tickets are priced at $25, and half of all game tickets are priced at less than $100. Olympic apparel is also available for purchase.

NBC will be covering the Vancouver Games. Go to www.nbcolympics.com to find TV event times in your area. Visit www.vancouver2010.com for more information about the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

California Classic Gymnastics Competition

Feb. 19-21, Friday-Sunday

The 2010 California Classic hosted by the Southern California Elite Gymnastics Association and the Temecula Valley Gymnastics Association will be held this year at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds. The competition runs from February 19-21. This premier gymnastic event attracts gymnasts from all over the country.

This year there will be teams from Langley, British Columbia, Arizona, North Dakota, and Utah, as well as many local Southern California teams. Last year the California Classic attracted over 400 gymnasts from 37 different gymnastics clubs. Teams in every session will win prizes including cash, awards, and medals. All gymnasts and coaches also receive gifts.

This year’s California Classic event will run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Approximate session times for each day are 8am, 12pm, and 4pm. Tickets will be sold at the door. Admission is $15 per session for adults or $25 for an all day pass, and $10 for seniors and children or $20 for an all day pass. Seniors are 55 and up and children are 12 and under.

For more information and the finalized meet schedule, please visit the Temecula Valley Gymnastics Association Booster Club website at www.tvgaboosterclub.org. Contact Rishann Clermont for questions at (951) 662-2604. The Del Mar Fairgrounds is located at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014.

Tri-City Medical Center Hosts Carlsbad Marathon

Health and Fitness Expo Jan. 22-24

Keebler Kids Marathon Mile Jan. 23, Saturday, 8am

Marathon and Half Marathon Jan. 23, Sunday 6am and 7am

The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon and Half Marathon are scheduled for Sunday Jan. 24. Over 10,000 runners and walkers from all over the US and many foreign countries are expected to participate in the race weekend festivities, announced In Motion, Inc., the event organizer.

The 26.2 and 13.1-mile courses will take participants through trendy Carlsbad Village, along historic Pacific Coast Highway and past numerous Carlsbad points of interest. Over 23 live bands and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches and picturesque lagoons will help entertain and motivate the runners. Both races start and finish at Westfield Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad. The marathon kicks off at 6 am and the half marathon wave starts begin after 7 am.

The Carlsbad Marathon works with 19 charities to raise funds and awareness through their association with the event. Race participants are encouraged to “run for a reason” by fundraising for one or more of the organizations, according to Lynn Flanagan, president of In Motion, Inc.

The race weekend also includes the Health and Fitness Expo and Keebler Kids Marathon Mile. The Mile is set for 8 am on Saturday, Jan. 23, at LEGOLAND® California Resort, located at One Legoland Drive in Carlsbad. Geared for children age 12 and under, this one-mile, noncompetitive, age-staged run/walk winds through the LEGOLAND theme park. A Diaper Dash, entertainment and other fun activities will take place on the main event stage immediately following the children’s races.

The Health and Fitness Expo will feature exciting vendors, interactive displays, free samples, and bargains on apparel and equipment. Free and open to the public, the Expo is also where all marathoners and half marathoners pick up their timing tag, bib number, T-shirt and goodie bag.

The Expo will be held on Friday, Jan. 22 (2-6pm); Saturday, Jan. 23 (10am-5pm); and Sunday, Jan. 24 (7 am-noon) under the Big Top at the Westfield Plaza Camino Real, located at 2525 El Camino Real in Carlsbad. Event sponsors include: Tri-City Medical Center; Keebler; LEGOLAND California Resort; Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa; San Diego County Lexus Dealers; The Running Center; Ultima Replenisher; JetBlue Airways; Albertsons; and UltraStar Cinemas.

Participants in the marathon and half marathon will receive a long sleeve, technical fabric race shirt, goodie bag and finisher’s medal. Every registered child in the Keebler Kids Marathon Mile is a winner and will receive a “gold” medal, colorful T-shirt, and a free one-day Child Hopper ticket to the LEGOLAND California Resort and Sea Life™ Aquarium, a $65 value (valid Saturday, 1/23/10 or Sunday, 1/24/10 for ages 3 to 12) in addition to one free UltraStar Cinema child’s admission movie pass and popcorn, and a goodie bag full of Keebler treats and coupons.

Registration for the Keebler Kids Marathon Mile is limited and costs $15 for children prior to Jan. 16 and $20 thereafter, space permitting. Adult parent and/or guardian registration is also available. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.carlsbadmarathon.com or call (760) 692-2900.

The CIF San Diego First Pitch Softball Cassic

Feb 27

The CIF-San Diego Section is pleased to announce the participating teams for the Sixth Annual First Pitch Softball Classic, scheduled for Saturday, February 27, at Rancho Bernardo High School.

The classic begins with two games at 10:00 a.m. Division II Champion Mt. Carmel High School battles the Pointers of Point Loma High School, and the Division II Runner-up Ramona Bulldogs faces West Hills High School. The two games being played at 11:30 a.m. are Torrey Pines High School doing battle with always-tough Carlsbad High School, and Division I Mira Mesa High School going against Fallbrook High School. The final two games begin at 1:00 p.m. with up-and-comer The Rock Academy facing the much-improved Holtville Vikings, and Division II Quarterfinalist Hilltop High School taking on the host and Division I Champion Rancho Bernardo High School.

Tickets go on sale February 1, 2010. Cost is $6.00. It is a great way to begin the 2010 Softball Season! For more information on the First Pitch Softball Classic, contact the CIFSDS Office at 858-292-8165; dackerman@sdcoe.net; or visit the web site www.cifsds.org.

Ironman 70.3 Comes to Oceanside

Mar. 27, Saturday

The Ironman 70.3 is in its 11th year in Oceanside, California. It takes place in the City of Oceanside, aboard United States Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and throughout the surrounding area. The athletic event features three different sections, beginning with a 1.2 mile sheltered swim in Oceanside harbor. The swim is followed by a challenging 56 mile bike course through the Marine Corps Base that is considered one of the most scenic in Ironman racing. Lastly, a beautiful 13.1-mile run takes participants on a course along the ocean and beach.

This event is one of the fastest races to fill on the Ironman 70.3 circuit, so athletes are encouraged to enter early. Registration began as early as April of last year. Attendees will be competing for 28 spots in the 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship, which take place Kailu-Kona, Hawaii. 50 spots in the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship, located in Clearwater, Florida, will also be awarded.

For more information about the Ironman 70.3 California, please visit the official website at www.ironmancalifornia.com.

Lake Poway 2-Day Open Trout Derby

Mar. 6-7, Saturday 6am-Sunset, Sunday 6am-Noon

Be the envy of your fishing buddies - catch a trophy trout at Lake Poway’s Annual 2-Day Open Trout Derby! The Derby will be held on Saturday, March 6 (sunrise to sunset) through Sunday, March 7 (sunrise to noon).

Gates will open at 6am each day. 2,500 pounds of rainbow trout are being stocked for this 2-day extravaganza, which includes the largest trout stocked in the County - up to 15 pounds! Anglers of all ages are invited to try their luck, hone their skills, and win some prizes for the largest trout by weight.

The daily derby entry fee is $16 for adults and $8 for youth. A daily Lake Poway fishing permit is included in the price. 50 Motorboats will be rented on a first-come/first-served basis. Derby tickets can be purchased in advance at the Lake Poway Concession. All anglers must purchase a derby ticket to fish during derby hours.

In preparation for the derby, Lake Poway will be closed to fishing and boating from noon on March 4 and all day March 5. Lake Poway is located at 14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway, CA 92064. For more information visit www.poway.org/lakepoway, or call (858) 668-4772 or (858) 486-1234.

Professional Tennis Returns to La Costa

The Southern California Open, which is owned and managed by Octagon, marks the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s return to San Diego County after a two-year hiatus. The event, which will take place July 31-Aug. 8 at the La Costa Resort & Spa, will be one of ten tournaments (five WTA and five ATP) comprising the Olympus US Open Series.

”We are very happy to offer fans the opportunity to purchase ticket packages through this special holiday sale,” said Tournament Director Raquel Giscafre. “Since we announced the return of women’s professional tennis to La Costa this last summer, many of our dedicated fans have inquired about tickets.”

Giscafre encourages fans to get their tickets early. “During the tournament next year, the main stadium will have a capacity of 5,000 seats, which will offer fans a very cozy and intimate setting to watch the top women tennis professionals in the world.”

The Southern California Open is a Premier 700 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event. The tournament will offer $700,000 in prize money.

The addition of the Southern California Open bolsters Octagon’s leading global role in the ownership and management of WTA and ATP Tour events. Octagon owns and/or manages 15 WTA and ATP Tour events and has been widely credited for globalizing both tours. In the United States, Octagon’s ownership interests include The MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and the Western & Southern Financial Group Championships, which is also part of the US Open Series, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Octagon has a rich and proud history in the sport of tennis, having managed the careers of 63 Grand Slam Champions and 11 Olympic gold medalists over three decades. For more info on Octagon’s tennis division, please visit www.octagontennis.com

LA Lakers Schedule

www.nba.com/lakers

February

Los Angeles Lakers Schedule

2/1 @ Memphis 5:00 pm

2/3 vs. Charlotte 7:30 pm

2/5 vs. Denver 7:30 pm

2/6 @ Portland 7:00 om

2/8 vs. San Antonio 7:30 pm

2/10 @ Utah 6:00 pm

2/16 vs. Golden State 7:30 pm

2/18 vs. Boston 7:30 pm

2/23 @ Memphis 5:00 pm

2/24 @ Dallas 6:00 pm

2/26 vs. Philadelphia 7:30 pm

2/28 vs. Denver 12:30 pm

March

3/2 vs. Indiana 7:30 pm

3/4 @ Miami 5:00 pm

3/5 @ Charlotte 4:00 pm

3/7 @ Orlando 11:30 am

3/9 vs. Toronto 7:30 pm

3/12 @ Phoenix 6:00 pm

3/15 @ Golden State 7:30 pm

3/16 @ Sacramento 7:00 pm

3/19 vs. Minnesota 7:30 pm

3/21 vs. Washington 6:30 pm

3/24 @ San Antonio 6:30 pm

3/26 @ Oklahoma City 5:00 pm

3/27 @ Houston 5:30 pm

3/29 @ New Orleans 5:00 pm

3/31 @ Atlanta 4:00 pm