Sports Notebook: Emily Tubert to make professional golf debut
Bits and pieces from the local sports scene.
TUBERT TO MAKE PRO GOLF DEBUT
Former Burroughs High golf standout and recent University of Arkansas graduate Emily Tubert will be joining the professionals with a sponsorship exemption to the 2014 Walmart NW Arkansas Championships presented by P&G at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., June 23-29.
Tubert will be joined by current Razorback players Gabriela Lopez, Regina Plasencia and Summar Roachell.
“The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship is a special week for not only our community, but for our women’s golf team,” Arkansas Coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said on the university’s website. “Most of our players have the dream of playing on the LPGA Tour and there is no greater measuring tool than to play against the best players in the world right here at one of our home facilities.
“The support our players get during this week is amazing and we could not have asked for a better way to showcase our home and program through this outlet. We have a special place here in NW Arkansas and to have the LPGA tour here in our backyard is a great piece that allows us to continue to elevate our program to even greater heights.”
Tubert will be making her professional debut after recently being awarded the Dinah Shore Trophy by the LPGA Foundation. The three-time All-American and four-time All-Southeastern Conference honoree wrapped up her Razorbacks career with six career wins, 21 top-five finishes and a 72.25 career stroke average. That average set a new all-time mark for the program.
“It will be a special week for Emily as she makes her professional debut at a place she feels comfortable and a golf course that she knows so well,” Estes-Taylor said. “This will be an opportunity for her to start her professional career with a spark.”
Last summer, Tubert qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at the Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., in June. Tubert recorded a two-day total of 152 after shooting a 74 on her first day and a 78 on the second day. Unfortunately, Tubert didn’t make the cut for the weekend portion of the tournament.
Tubert officially made the transition from amateur to the profesional ranks when she selected Los Angeles-based Yee & Dubin Sports, LLC for representation Thursday. The company also represents New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton.
RUNNER MAKES TREK TO HONOR DECEASED BOY
In honor of Christopher Wilke, a 12-year-old boy who attended David Starr Jordan Middle School and died of cancer of the bile ducts on March 20, Burbank resident and ultra marathon runner Roy Wiegand is planning a charity run in the boy’s honor.
Wiegand plans to run from Angels Stadium in Anaheim to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation in Santa Clarita on July 4. All proceeds from this run will go to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer.
Wiegand’s son and Wilke were in the same Boy Scout Troop, and Wiegand was “blown away” by the amazing effect Wilke had upon so many people in his community. At the rosary for Wilke, Wiegand heard many stories about the boy, who was an avid baseball player and loved the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He decided there was something he could do to help — run.
“It really spoke to me,” Wiegand stated in a press release.
Wiegand is no stranger to long-distance runs for charity. For the past five years, he has done challenge runs to raise money for Lifewater International, an organization that builds water wells in developing countries. Last year, he ran from San Luis Obispo to the Rose Bowl and raised $12,000 for this cause.
During the Run for Christopher on the Fourth of July, Wiegand will have a racing stroller with him, which can hold up to 100 pounds. He plans on giving any children who would like a ride along the way.
Wilke’s baseball number was 48, and Wiegand would like to raise $48,000 for the foundation from this run.
“I will raise as much as I can,” Wiegand said. “I feel like I am the lucky one. This is an amazing opportunity.”
Donations for this run can be made directly to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation at https://www.mhf.org. People can also join Wiegand on the run along the way for any distance.
PIONEERS EARN ALL-LEAGUE BASEBALL HONORS
Three Providence High baseball players were named to the All-Liberty League team after helping the Pioneers reach the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.
Earning first-ream recognition were sophomore pitcher/first baseman Sean Holt, sophomore catcher Thomas Keller and senior third baseman/right fielder Mason Inumerable.
Holt proved to be a consistent contributor for Providence, on the mound as well as at the plate. Along with a .483 average, he had eight doubles, 26 runs batted in, 23 runs scored and was 12 for 12 in stolen base attempts. As a pitcher, Holt was 4-1 with a 3.23 earned-run average and 60 strikeouts in 52 innings.
Keller had a .419 average with 26 runs scored, six doubles, two triples and 13 RBI. In addition, he was 11 for 11 in stole base attempts. Inumerable hit .333 with 19 RBI and five doubles.
The Pioneers (8-12) made it to the postseason after tying for third place in the Liberty League. Providence also won its CIF Southern Section Division VI first-round game, defeating Hesperia Christian on the road, 9-3.
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Follow Jeff Tully on Twitter: @jefftsports.