Sports Highlights

By Don Lyons - August 23, 2007

Woodsmen compete

Ed Brightman of Assonet, Mass., won the Woodsmen of the Day title at the 146th Ag Society Fair and became this year's state champion woodsman. Mr. Brightman earned 57 points, 11 more than Charlie Wojtkum of Connecticut, who was second. Another woodsman from the Nutmeg State, John Postemski, was third with 36.

The top Island woodsmen were (1) Vincent Maciel, (2) Chris Baldwin, and (3) Walter Ashley. Vineyarder Trina Kingsbury entered many of the events and placed both second and third (with Will Warner) in the chainsaw sculpture competition for Islanders only. Chris Baldwin was first and Walter Ashley fourth at sculpting.

Other events were tree felling, axe throwing, crosscut team, log chopping, bucksawing, disc stacking, log rolling and several chainsaw contests.

Tennis

The Vineyard Haven Tennis Foundation's annual Century Tournament , a mixed doubles event for 20 teams, was held Saturday at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club and town courts.

The final match pitted Ann Brown and Eric Johnson against siblings Alice Goyert and Peter Franklin. The brother-sister team prevailed in the very close contest.

Twenty teams competed in the tourney, which was well managed by Bruce Jeffreys.

Freebies

The Reade tennis courts on Boxbury Avenue (off Franklin Street), Vineyard Haven, are open to the public free of charge after Labor Day to July of 2008.

Through the wickets

The winning pair at the annual Earle Radford Memorial Croquet doubles tournament in Edgartown on the weekend of August 10 was - to no one's surprise - Jack Schot with Ed Rose.

Runners-up were Jim Turner and Danzey Treaner. Norm Maloney and Margo Kingston were third.

Also played: Gerry McCauley and Ann Allen, Sally Schott and Kay Chamberlain, Deb Buress and Bill Elbow, Edie Blake and Cecily Greenaway, Betty Willis and Jim Turner.

Play started in the rain Friday at 8:30 am and continued even though rain grew heavier as the day wore on.

Luncheon was provided by Soigné.

Weather improved Saturday and an evening clambake was enjoyed at the home of Mr. ad Mrs. Jim Turner.

The next croquet tournament, a singles tourney, will be Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1-3.

The longest Challenge

The 20th Martha's Vineyard Challenge sets sail Saturday, Sept. 1 (Sunday is the alternative date) reviving the longest windsurfing race in the world, a 55-mile Island-circling course, as well as shorter 5- to 20-mile courses,

All non-motorized sail, paddle, and row craft are welcome, excepting kite surfers.

Former U.S. Windsurfing Champion Nevin Sayre founded the MV Challenge as a fund-raiser for MV Community Services. Nevin will be circling the Island again this year, despite wounds to his forehead suffered in a kite sailing accident. Thus far The MV Challenge has raised some $190,000 for the Island agency.

Registration for the Challenge will be at the V.H. Yacht Club, Friday, Aug. 31 from 6 to 8:30 pm. Late registrations will be accepted at VHYC Saturday at 8 am.

For more information, see www.mvcommunityservices.com

Bridge covered

Ann Funn and David Selia were the top point winners sitting north-south at the Bridge Club of M.V., Saturday.

Gloria and Ted Manning, Duncan Walton and Stanley Segal were place and show.

At east-west, Eleanor Hughes and Calvin Bass were best. Betty Dixon and Betty Morris were second; Deidre Ling and Nancy Eppel, third.

Disc data

The Disc Golf League launched a new eight-week tournament on the course in the state forest using the expert tees. Dwight Kaeka beat the field by four shots In the new pro division with a five-over-par 61. Steve Butman and Jim O'Connor tied for second at 86. Jim Sharp and Danny Kaeka topped the AMI division with rounds of 68. At AM2, the tyros division, Dave Heigh was low at 74.

Dukes Cty. Classic

The 2007 Dukes County Savings Bank Classic Golf Tournament, benefit of the Vineyard Nursing Association, will be Monday, October 8, at the Vineyard Golf Club.

Las year's Classic was a sold-out success and raised more than $50,000 for the VNA.

Sponsor a tee, a green, or play solo or with a team. The $200 registration fee includes cart, ­  luncheon. To learn more, see www.dcsbclassic.com.

Holmes Hole sailing

There were two Holmes Hole Sailing Assn. harbor races last Sunday.

Nine boats posted for the morning race under bright blue skies with northeast 5 knot winds. The familiar triangular course from nun 6 to red nun 4 at West Chop, to can 23a at East Chop, to nun 6 was to be sailed twice around. With winds dying, sailors found it slow going and the race committee reset the finish line for a shortened course.

Division A winner was Phil Hale in Mischief. Second was Roger Becker in Gloria, then (3rd) Jerry Goodale, (4th) John Amabile, and (5th) Michael Loberg. Tom and Laurie Welch led the B division in Eastaway followed by John and Laura Stout in Isabella, and Dan Culkin in Magic Time.

By 2 pm wind began to fill in at 5 to 8 knots before shifting to the southeast. Ten boats came to the line for a race to follow the original design. The first leg was a downwind run, followed by a beam reach on the starboard tack and a beat windward, then repeated.

Dan Culkin was the winner in B division with Tom Graham, John and Lisa Stout, and Alan Wilson trailing.

In the A division, Jerry Goodale led the way to the finish line. Roger Becker was second, Peter Strock was third. Then came (4) Phil Hale, (5) Michael Loberg, and (6) John Amabile.

Summer racing continues with a harbor race this evening at 6 pm and Sunday's Tarpaulin Cove Rendezvous at 10 am.