Sporting Events
America's Legacy ... BEEF
There are all types of sporting events scheduled as part of the 2009 Beef Empire Days celebration. From calf roping to cutting, and from softball to golf, there are offerings for every interest. Leading the pack in 2009 is the Beef Empire Cutting Horse Competition slated for Friday through Sunday, May 29-31, at the Horse Palace on the Finney County Fairgrounds. Competitors from Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma are expected for the weekend competition. Riders will compete in 13 sanctioned classes, and this event provides an excellent opportunity to see the athletes of the equine world cut and control cattle from a herd.
The Beef Empire Tennis Tournament gets underway on Saturday morning, May 30, at 8:00 a.m. at the Grimsley-Harmon Tennis Complex. The tournament includes singles, doubles, mixed doubles, men, women and youth. The event concludes on Sunday, May 31. Also on Saturday morning, Finnup Park plays host to the Horseshoe Tournament, with qualifying beginning at 9:00 a.m. Horseshoes has long been a favorite event of the young and older crowd alike, and this tournament will prove to be fun for all involved.Golfing action also begins on Saturday, May 30, with a four-man scramble at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course. A second four-man scrample will be held at Southwind Country Club, Sunday, May 31. Tee times will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. Teams may begin registering and securing tee times on May 12.
The Garden City Family YMCA also will sponsor the 3-on-3 Basketball Frenzy Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31, at noon. All teams are guaranteed three games with t-shirts awarded to the winners in each division. The event takes place at the Finnup Park basketball courts.
The annual Hoof it to Health Road Run leads the way on Saturday morning, May 30, with the Garden City Family YMCA hosting the event beginning at 7:30 a.m. There will be 5K and 10K events with registration beginning at 6:45 a.m.
Feedlot Team Roping and Sponsors Riding will be held on Sunday, May 31, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Finney County Fairgrounds Arena. Cowboys and cowgirls will compete in Team Roping and Barrel Racing events that are open to any Beef Empire Days sponsor and / or their employees.
How about a motorcycle ride through Southwest Kansas on Saturday, June 6? The Bikers for Beef - Family Crisis Services Poker Run will begin registration at Clark Motorsports West at 8:30 a.m. with the riders heading out around 9:45 a.m. Saturday morning for a ride that ends at Stevens Park for lunch. The ride is open to any type motorcycle and benefits the work of Family Crisis Services.
The High Plains Archery 3D Tournament takes place at the High Plains Archery Range on Sunday, June 7, at 10:00 a.m.The are more sporting events after the 12 day celebration officially ends. The Beef Empire Days Rodeo takes place from Thursday, June 11 through Saturday, June 13 at the Finney County Fairgrounds. Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13 are the dates for the Coors Light/Garden City Recreation Softball Tournament.
The variety of sporting events offers fun for everyone. So get on out, compete, or support your favorite athelete.