SATURDAY BRIEFS: Straight Blast fighter wins silver, clinics on tap at Buffalo Hill

Leah Taylor, a coach at Straight Blast Gym of Montana Kalispell, won a silver medal in the medium heavy women’s black belt division at the Pan American Championships in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu last month at the University of California-Irvine.

Taylor won all three of her outings at the championships.

Hamilton Ash, a coach at Straight Blast Gym of Montana Whitefish, just missed out on medaling. He lost in the second round on a referee’s decision.

Taylor and Ash will both compete at the World Championships in June.

“The Pan Ams is one the most prestigious Jiu Jitsu tournaments in the world, and as usual, our competitors from SBG rose to the occasion,” Travis Davison, owner and head coach of Straight Blast Gym Montana, said.

“I was again reminded that our athletes from Montana are some of the best in the world and they showed it by joining the world’s best on the awards podium. I couldn’t be prouder of our tribe and not just the competitors but also the training partners, volunteers, coaches and donors who all had a part in making this possible.”

CASA golf scramble at Polson Bay on April 23

CASA of Lake and Sanders counties is holding its 10th Annual Golf Scramble on April 23 at the Polson Bay Golf Course. This is CASA’s only major fundraiser of the year.

CASA trains and supports volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates to represent the best interests of children who have been subject to abuse and neglect. Advocates need not be attorneys, but just have a desire to help. Our local CASA program works with more than 70 children who have been removed from their homes. Abused and neglected children need a voice and CASA volunteers give them that and help ensure that these children are placed in safe, permanent homes where they can thrive.

The four-person scramble begins with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. with a barbeque and auction to follow. There will be a hole-in-one event with a chance to win an automobile.

For more information, follow this LINK or contact Cameron at (406) 883-8230.

Free golf clinics begin April 11 at Buffalo Hill Golf Club

Buffalo Hill Golf Club’s PGA professional staff is offering free clinics for beginner to experienced players.

Clinics for ladies will be 6 p.m. on Monday, April 11th, and Monday, April 18th. Adult clinics will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 16th, and Saturday, April 23rd.

PGA Professionals Dave Broeder and Marlin Hanson will direct the instruction, which will focus on putting, chipping and full swing. The clinics will cover the basics to get the beginner golfer started and a good reminder about fundamentals for those who have played before.

Clubs will be provided for those without equipment.

Preregistration is not necessary and questions may be directed to 756-4547 or 756-4553.

Glacier Babe Ruth Auction on April 8 at the Blue Moon

The Glacier Babe Ruth Auction is April 8 at the Blue Moon in Columbia Falls.

This event is a major fundraiser to help cover baseball equipment, field maintenance and other necessary expenses.

Live music follows. Auctioneer is Joe Warner.