SPORTS

by Neil MacDonald

Hot teams at Softball City
USA Red plays Italy at 11 a.m. and USA Blue faces the Netherlands on July 5 as World-class fastpitch competition continues at the Canada Cup International Wom-en’s Tournament through July 8 at Softball City in Surrey, B.C.
USA Red and USA Blue feature the crème de la crème of up-and-coming fastpitch talent in the nation. The 33 elite athletes on the two USA teams are not only competing in the Canada Cup tourney, but are also vying for positions on the next Team USA. The U.S., the 2000 Olympic Gold winner, is presently ranked first in the world.
Other world ranked competitors in the tourney are Australia (2nd), Japan (3rd), who will field two squads, and Canada (5th). The Aussie outfit combines heavy hitting and power pitching and is anchored by first base/outfielder Peta Edebone.
Japan is prominent in pitching. Yuko Taka, a veteran with an exceptional speed, hurls for Japan White and Yukiko Ueno, an emerging star from the 1999 World Junior Championships, tosses for Japan Red.
Team Canada, rebuilding for a run at the 2004 Olympics, will be tough, hungry and playing on their home turf.
The Canada Cup also features Chinese Taipei, who tied Venezuela for 7th in the ’98 World Championships, Team Italy, who came sixth at Worlds in 1998, and the Czech Republic, who finished 2nd in the ’99 European Championships. Czech star Johana Vejvodova has twice been named the best hitter in Europe.
For game times, ticket info and such, call 604/536-9287 or surf www.canadacup.com.

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Southwick appointed head pro
Brian Southwick, Director of Golf at Shuksan Golf Club for the past three years, was recently named head PGA pro at Birch Bay Golf Club.
Southwick said the Birch Bay course “will prove to be as challenging a course as any course around” and, extolling the course’s aesthetics, he added, “It offers ocean views, island views and a great view of Mt. Baker.”
The teaching part of Southwick’s work at Birch Bay will be divided between Birch Bay where lessons in chipping and putting and such short game activities will be held, and Rodarco Golf Range where Southwick will join with PGA pro golf instructor Roger Cook to instruct on the intricacies of the long game.
Southwick, who grew up in Walla Walla, worked as an assistant pro in Palm Springs and at Crescent Bar near Quincy before becoming an assistant pro at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club in 1986. He worked 12 years at Semiahmoo, starting as an assistant pro and becoming Semiahmoo’s Director of Golf.