Hilton Head Monthly Magazine Voice of the Lowcountry A trio of local players is making the leap from Storm Soccer Academy to MLS club Atlanta United’s development academy this fall, joining another homegrown star. Bluffton’s Juan Zuniga and Mikey Chappelear and Hilton Head Island’s Alan Leyva reported to Atlanta United in early August, following in the footsteps of Hilton Head native James Brighton, who enjoyed great success in his first full season in the academy.
The University of South Carolina Beaufort athletics department has rolled out a new booster club level aimed at attracting more local fans to the Sand Sharks’ home soccer, baseball and softball games. For the first time, residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties will be able to join the Sand Shark Club at a reduced rate and receive season tickets to all USCB home sporting events. The Lowcountry Level is $40 and includes one all-sport pass good for the 2017-18 season and a Sand Shark Club car decal. Local residents can add an additional all-sport pass for $30.
The Beaufort County All-Stars made good use of the home-field advantage, capitalizing on their host bid and claiming the Dixie Boys World Series title Aug. 9 at Bluffton’s Oscar Frazier Park.
The team — made up of players from Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island — went 5-1 in the tournament, beating state championship teams from Virginia, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi on their way to the top spot.
LUCKILY FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND AND BLUFFTON, THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF PLACES TO CATCH THE GAME.
Every football fan has been there. The big game is about to kick off when you realize it’s airing on a channel you don’t get.
“Given the trend of DirecTV giving away the packages, everybody is a sports bar nowadays,” said Darrell Neeley, owner of Callahan’s Sports Bar & Deluxe Grill on Hilton Head.
IF YOU’VE SPENT ANY TIME ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S BEACHES, THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE YOU’VE WITNESSES THE WORLD’S OLDEST KNOWN SPORT
No, not Frisbee or sand castle building, but bocce. The Old World game has gained popularity with a new generation. Bocce also is a good fit for Hilton Head because the equipment is easy to bring along and the game involves the perfect effortto- entertainment ratio for a day at the beach.
The 10th annual Tiger Bass Race Series will be held at 8 a.m. Sept. 16 at Hampton Lake in Bluffton. The event includes a 15K run or walk, a 5K run and a 1-mile run/walk, with all proceeds going to Memory Matters and River Ridge Academy.
With help from Rob Fyfe and his team at Palmetto Running Company, race participants will enjoy live music and a patriotic send-off at the starting line. Waiting at the finish line is a party featuring music, complimentary concessions from the Downtown Curbside Kitchen food truck, face-painting by Sassi Faces and more.
Bluffton golfer Bryson Nimmer nearly fulfilled a lifelong dream by earning an invitation to play in next year’s RBC Heritage presented by Boeing when he finished second at the 19th annual Players Amateur, losing on the second playoff hole at Berkeley Hall.
Hilton Head Island’s Will Miles finished seventh at the 111th Southern Amateur Championship from July 19-22 in Pinehurst, N.C.
Miles, a standout at the University of South Carolina, was tied for third and one off the lead heading into the final round of the prestigious event.
GOLF IS SIMPLE ENOUGH A CHILD CAN LEARN IT, BUT COMPLEX ENOUGH FOR A LIFETIME OF STUDY.
On a steamy summer evening at Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club in Bluffton, about a dozen parents gathered around Nick Dunham to learn how to help their kids succeed on the links and in other walks of life. Their children were participating in a six-week course on golf and life skills, presented by The First Tee of the Lowcountry.
Christopher Gaeta isn’t from Hilton Head Island, but the Lowcountry has earned an elevated place in his heart.
The 17-year-old New Jersey native comes to the island several times a year to visit family and work with golf instructor Rick Barry. He also spends part of his time on the island volunteering at The First Tee of the Lowcountry.
