Sports & Outdoors
Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic off to a great start
January 28, 2022
The Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic is back on this year and has been extremely well received. Tennis players and spectators alike have had an eventful first week. As this week of tennis comes to…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The Tarpon Trot
January 14, 2022
Try it once, and you’ll be hooked!
By Karen Hoeft
Run the island from one end to the other … that’s how the challenge began. Two longtime friends, Kyle Hocker and David Hoeft came up with …
THE ISLAND GOLFER: Taking up golf? A better chance for success if you excel at tennis
January 12, 2022
Long dubbed country club sports, tennis and golf experienced a resurgence in popularity in the past 20 months due to pandemic-related dynamics. Both sports have risen from a consistent decline ove…
Be a friend of the pelican: Reel, remove, release
December 30, 2021
“A wonderful bird is the pelican; his bill can hold more than his belly can.” – Dixon Lanier Merritt
The above excerpt from Merritt’s poem is true: A pelican’s pouch can hold up to three times…
You’re never too old try something new!
December 30, 2021
91-year-old retired United Airlines pilot and Navy Veteran John O’Connell paddleboarded for the first time in his life this past week in Boca Grande waters. He was accompanied by his granddaughter…
Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic dates announced
December 4, 2021
This year’s Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic will be played over the course of three weeks, from January 22 through February 12.
• Week of January 22: Gasparilla Inn & Club mixed doubles; B…
… and the 2021 GIFT Tournament winners are …
November 26, 2021
Congratulations to the boys on Capt. Mark Becton’s boat, as they were the winners of the 2021 Gasparilla Island Fly-fishing Tournament! It was held on Tuesday, Nov. 23, and $2,700 was raised for t…
2021 Lee County Parks & Recreation Turkey Hoop Shoot
November 26, 2021
Photos by Dusty and Cheryl
Sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Boca Beacon