LOCAL SPORTS IN BRIEF
BY SPORTS EDITOR MITCH LUCAS
BASEBALL

Diamond 'Dogs at home tonight

At press time, inclement weather was still a possibility, but the Kilgore High School baseball team was still scheduled to host Jacksonville tonight at Driller Park, a 6 p.m. start between the varsity programs of each school.

The Bulldogs are 7-5 overall this season, having only played 12 games because five of them were lost to rain. KHS is 1-1 in District 12-4A, coming off an 8-4 loss Friday night at Nacogdoches.

Coach Jeff Blackstone's Bulldogs will be in action again this week on Thursday (rather than the usual Friday game), hosting Pine Tree, also at 6 p.m.

SOFTBALL

Lady 'Dogs home tonight, too

At long last, after playing almost every single game to date this season on the road, Kilgore High School's softball team is set to play another home game tonight.

Like the baseball team, the softball Lady 'Dogs will host Jacksonville. Jacksonville has no junior varsity team, so it will be varsity only, a 6 p.m. first-pitch at Stream-Flo Field, which sits right beside Driller Park.

Coach Cassie Newell's team is 0-4 in District 12-4A, having lost at Nacogdoches on Friday in extra innings, 3-2. And also like the baseball team, the softball team will be back in action on Thursday this week - not Friday - against Pine Tree, a 4:30 p.m. JV start, varsity to follow.

GOLF

Golf-a-thon April 7

A golf-a-thon will be played here at Meadowbrook Country Club on Monday, April 7 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Participants will play 54 holes of best ball, with a triple bogey maximum on any hole played.

To enter, you provide a minimum donation of $500 to the American Cancer Society.

For the donation, your food and drink for the day will be provided, you'll get a Nike Dri-Fit shirt, your cart and green fees are included in that donation, and dinner and drinks at the end of the day.

Cash prizes for the low nine, the low 18, the low 36 and the low 54, based on handicap, will be given.

To enter, call Greg Collins at (903) 988-3413.

Hood Classic is March 28

Rockin' C Ranch has opened registration for its upcoming benefit golf tournament.

The fifth annual Dr. Robert Hood Memorial Golf Classic will be held on Friday, March 28 at Garden Valley Golf Club, with proceeds going directly towards the various programs of the camp. Rockin' C Ranch is a Christian camp on a working ranch, and is committed to providing youth with a solid Christian foundation by giving them a memorable, faith and character-building camp experience. There are various levels of financial involvement for both individuals and corporations.

"This is a great opportunity to get out and have some fun while providing a great benefit to some deserving kids," said Matt Clapp, Rockin' C Ranch Director.

The March 28 event will begin with registration at 11:30 a.m. and a burger buffet followed by a shotgun start for the four-man scramble (1:30 p.m.). Prizes will be awarded for each member of the top three teams. In addition, there will be prizes for longest drive, straightest drive, closest to the pin and hole in one.

Rockin' C Ranch operates year-round as a summer camp, retreat center, outdoor education program and corporate retreat facility. To discuss sponsorships or register for the event, call (903) 858-3308, or email Jason@rockincranch.org.

Rockin' C Ranch is located north of Tyler State Park just off of Highway 14, 11 miles north of Tyler. For more information, visit their website at rockincranch.org.

FISHING

Big Bass Tournament March 29-30

The 25th annual Big Bass Tournament at Cedar Creek Lake, sponsored by KCKL 95.9-FM, is Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30.

Over 120 prizes will be given, including the first prize, a Triton Mercury bass rig. There is an entry fee of $65 per day, and contestants may enter at the lake. For more information and entry forms, call (903) 489-1518, or try fishing world.com/kckl/bass online.

Bass Federation entry deadline nears

The deadline for bass clubs to join the Texas Bass Federation is quickly approaching. March 31 is the cutoff, said Tom Enloe, TBF president.

"We'll accept clubs up until March 31. It is a great opportunity for the individuals that make up some of Texas' best bass clubs," Enloe said. "Our affiliation with TBF, Inc. and FLW Outdoors and its sponsors provides a pathway for any level of competition a fisherman desires. We are the grassroots of the FLW."

The "hook" for many fishermen is the chance TBF offers to fish for the $1 million first-place prize in the Wal Mart/ FLW Outdoors signature event, the Forrest Wood Cup. The invitation-only competition will feature top FLW Tour pros such as Jay Yelas, Scott Suggs, Dan Morehead, and many others.

"TBF is the best route for the weekend fisherman to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, the Super Bowl of bass fishing," Enloe said.

The Texas state qualifying event will be held May 2-3 on Richland Chambers Reservoir near Corsicana.

Besides the chance to fish alongside FLW veterans and compete for huge sums of cash, many other benefits exist for member clubs, including discounts on sponsored merchandise: Ranger boats, Lowrance electronics and more. Top finishers qualify to fish in elite contests including the FLW/Stren Tour, Bassfan Army Weekend Warrior Championship, FLW/Wal Mart Bass Fishing League All-American, and others. Payouts often exceed $100,000.

The winner of the national federation championship will be awarded the "Living the Dream" contract, which includes the use of a wrapped, Yamaha-powered Ranger boat and Chevy truck, and fully-paid entry fees into the six FLW Tour events or five FLW Series events.

For more information on joining the Texas Bass Federation, or finding a bass club in your area that is a member club, visit the TBF Web site at www.tbftx.org, contact Tom Enloe at (325) 660- 5627, or email tebam11@aol.com.