Let’s go with tennis and golf to give us some feel-good sports news.
When Ardeth Bullard passed away in 2009, she left a big void in a large circle of family, friends and teammates. But her family has carried on her passions with the Ardeth Bullard OF LOVE tennis tournament, which started Thursday and runs through Aug. 23 at Eagleridge Tennis and Swim Club in North Salt Lake City.
Now in its third year, the OF LOVE tourney includes five days of men’s, women’s and doubles matches, with all proceeds benefitting the Utah chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The highlight is today’s exhibition match at 5 p.m. between international tennis stars Wayne Ferreira and Michael Chang, along with a doubles exhibition with Luke Jensen and Murphy Jensen.
Tickets will be sold at the door and food will also be available. The club is located at 711 S. Parkway Drive, North Salt Lake.
In 2011, more than $44,000 was raised for diabetes research, with many individuals and businesses joining in. For information, visit www.oflovetournament.com.
Aces
Speaking of golf, Leavitt’s Mortuary’s Tom Leavitt recently recorded a hole in one at Remuda Golf Course in Farr West.
Leavitt aced the 17th hole — the toughest on the course — using a driver on the 190-yard shot.
At age 88, he may be the most senior golfer to record an ace in many years.
Not to be outdone, Keith Hanchett recently aced the 16th hole at Ogden Golf and Country Club not once, but twice.
Hanchett aced the 184-yard hole on July 28 and then again on Aug. 3.
Tidbits
The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association will stage its 26th annual World of Speed event on Sept. 8-11 at Bonneville Salt Flats. ...
Today is Aggie Football Family Fun Day at Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium. Weber State will stage its own Football Fan Fest next Saturday. ...
Skyler Frasier and Westin Wilson are the featured fighters at tonight’s Davis County Fight Night at the Davis Conference Center. The doors open at 6 p.m.; MMA fights begin at 7 p.m. ...
The Bike Shoppe in Ogden celebrated its 36th anniversary in business with a series of rides and activities this past week. ...
Snow College athletic director Robert Nielson will serve as interim head men’s basketball coach during the 2012-13 season. He will be assisted by former Weber State assistant coach Chris Gold. ...
At age 13, Naomi Soifua made Utah golf history last week by being the youngest player to ever advance to the finals of either the men’s or women’s Utah State Amateur championship. She eventually lost to Weber State golfer Kelsey Chugg, 3 and 2, at Logan Country Club. ...
Spanish mountaineer Kílian Jornet Burgada — age 24 — broke a 29-year-old record on Aug. 12, running up the 13,770-foot Grand Teton and returning in 2 hours, 54 minutes, 1 second. He beat the 29-year old record of 3:06, set by Bryce Thatcher in 1983. The day before, Burgada helped Swedish climber Emelie Forsberg set the women’s record of 3:51.
Chris J. Miller is sports editor for the Standard-Examiner. He can be reached at 801-625-4261 or cmiller@standard.net.
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