Allegan News Online

Local company aims to help athletes By Jason WesseldykSports Editor

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 1:14 PM EST

Paul VanderHoff (left) and Dave Jones are marketing products to help athletes in such sports as golf and basketball. (Photo provided)

OTSEGO—Athletes are always looking for a competitive advantage, some edge that will give them the upper hand.two Allegan County residents are trying to provide just such an advantage.Paul VanderHoff of Otsego and Dave Jones of Plainwell are among the driving forces behind Athletic Performance Tools, a company whose products include Sneaker Grip and Performance Grip.Sneaker Grip is a spray that is applied to the bottom of athletic shoes to reduce slipping by softening the soles of the shoes for sports such as basketball and volleyball. Performance Grip, meanwhile, is applied to the handles of golf clubs to provide a better grip.“These products give shoes and golf clubs that brand new, just out-of-the box feel,” said VanderHoff, who serves as CEO of Athletic Performance Tools.Jones, a vice president of sales and marketing, echoed those sentiments.

“it allows the shoes and clubs to work the way manufacturers intended them to work,” he said.The pair will be demonstrating Performance Grip at the West Michigan Golf show at DeVos place in Grand Rapids this Friday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 12.“The West Michigan Golf show is a great opportunity for us,” VanderHoff said. “It’s a first-class event that thousands of golfers attend. hopefully we’ll be able to get some of those people to take a look at our product and start spreading the word about it.”Similar products are currently on the market. however, VanderHoff and Jones say their products have a big advantage over the competitors.“Our products provide grip without the stick,” VanderHoff said.In other words, the sprays won’t leave a sticky film behind that will attract dirt and actually impede performance.

“These products actually soften rubber, be it on the soles of shoes or the grip of the golf club,” Jones said. “it basically rejuvenates the shoes or club, which saves money. instead of going out and buying a new pair of shoes or having the grips redone on your clubs, you can just use some of our product.”Jones and VanderHoff know first hand how important having good traction is in basketball. they have more than a quarter century of combined coaching experience at the high school level and have worked with ACB Bank Hoops, a travel basketball program, the past seven years.Jones also coached high school golf for 19 years.“We’re both sports guys,” Jones said. “Sports are our passion. and that passion has led us to start this company.”several high schools and colleges are currently using Sneaker Grip, including Madonna University and Goshen College.mark Marlowe, owner of Courthouse Athletic Center in Byron Center, is also on board with the product. Not only does he carry Sneaker Grip at his facility, but he also took to you Tube for a testimonial video clip.“In novice terms, it just works,” Marlowe said of Sneaker Grip in the clip. “So we decided that’s worthwhile and we’ve been carrying it for the last three years and have had great success with it.”Expansion is the long-range goal for Athletic Performance tools.

“We have some other products in the works,” Jones said. “Sneaker Grip and Performance Grip will always be our flagship products, but we want to build off that.”and that expansion will help create jobs.“We’re a West Michigan company that makes the product right here in West Michigan,” VanderHoff said. “We’d like to be able to expand and provide jobs for this area and help the local economy in that way.”

Allegan News Online

Las Vegas Real Estate Spotlight: Centennial Hills

Not all Las Vegas real estate is the same. In fact, Centennial Hills is one neighborhood that is sure to be top on the list for families looking for everything in a community without having to pay sky high prices. See why this neighborhood is so popular with families and people who don’t necessarily want to live downtown.

Why parents love Centennial Hills

One of the main reasons Centennial Hills is a first choice with families is the massive water-play area at the center of the neighborhood. The water park has tons of colorful picnic-style tables and benches, curly slides, and a multi-story playhouse. By far, the park’s daisy shaped water hoses are the most popular with the kiddies. The neighborhood also boasts a number of volleyball, soccer, and even dog areas which means there is no shortage of fun things for children of all ages.

Another reason Centennial Hills is popular with parents is because it’s one of the safest places to raise a family. The neighborhood has views of both the downtown area and scenic Nevada mountains, yet is far enough from the Strip that they don’t have to worry about their kid’s interacting with the party crowds and tourists. Centennial Hills also has its own medical center and hospital, an urgent care facility, fire station, and police department.

Centennial Academy, a private school for pre-K through 6th grade school has been a popular education choice for parents in this community. this school has been around since 2004 and offers unparalleled education for young minds. The neighborhood is also zoned for Arbor View, Ralph Caldwallader, and Betsy A. Rhodes, all top ranking schools in the Valley.

Many young families choose Centennial Hills because it has a lot to offer once the kids are grown up, too. Golf courses like Painted Desert and Silverstone are very close to the neighborhood which means moms and dads can brush up on their golf skills once the kids leave the nest.

Centennial Hills has Small-City Charm

Not everyone who looks for Las Vegas real estate is looking for a big-city atmosphere and that’s why Centennial Hills has become popular with these folks. A drive from this neighborhood to, say, Luxor Hotel and Casino is roughly twenty miles and will take you about thirty minutes to get there if you’re traveling by car.

The neighborhood has more to offer than just its great location though. Residents can enjoy tons of entertainment without all the hassle of having to drive downtown. Dining and shopping hot spots like Meadows Mall, Montecito Marketplace, and Lindo Michoacan are all favorites among Centennial Hills locals who appreciate a slower pace for their weekend fun.

For easy-going and nature-loving residents, Centennial Hills Park and the YMCA community center located right inside the community are two major advantages to living a comfortable distance from downtown. The neighborhood prides itself on local events and a community building atmosphere that just can’t be accomplished when you live near the Strip.

Las Vegas Real Estate Spotlight: Centennial Hills

Pick of the Preps: Fall state championships hit high gear

It’s time for some postseason fun.

After golf opened things up last week with its statetournaments, swimming and cross country will join in on the funthis week with their state meets.

Volleyball and football will also cross into the postseason thisweek with plenty of Southern Arizona teams in action.

Here’s a closer look at the busy week ahead.

Tuesday

• Volleyball: Rincon/University is the only Southern Arizonateam that will host a first-round matchup. the Rangers will welcomeYuma Kofa for a 7 p.m., match.

Rincon earned the no. 7 seed in the Division I tournament afterputting together a 15-2 nontournament record. Yuma Kofa went14-4.

The only other local big school to earn a top eight seed wasCatalina in Division III. However, the entire Division IIItournament will be played in Prescott Valley, meaning the Trojanswill have to head north, even though they play Sahuarita in theopening round.

Catalina went 17-0 in games that count toward powerrankings.

Other big schools to qualify for the playoffs are Mountain View,Ironwood Ridge, Salpointe Catholic, Sabino and Cienega. All fiveteams are in the Division II tournament with Mountain View earningthe highest seed (nine).

Friday

• Football: the only all-Southern Arizona matchup in the firstround of the playoffs is in Division II where no. 15 Sahuaro willtravel to no. 2 Cienega.

The two teams have already had one good game this season. TheBobcats outlasted the Cougars 31-24 in September.

Since the seven-point win, Cienega’s closest call has been a49-21 win over Santa Rita.

Cienega and Sahuaro are two of five local teams on the bottomhalf of the Division II bracket, joining Salpointe Catholic,Ironwood Ridge and Canyon del Oro.

The Lancers, Nighthawks and Dorados combined to go 24-6 thisseason. Canyon del Oro, the no. 10 seed, is the only one of thoseteams that has a road game in the first round.

Saturday

• Boys and girls cross country: While the swim and dive teams inArizona will be in Mesa for their state meet, cross country willtake over Cave Creek Golf course in Phoenix.

Southern Arizona produced six sectional individual champions,who will all be in the hunt for a state title this week.

At the state’s highest level, Division I, Rincon/University’sNoah Kenyawani was a sectional champion and will battle withteammate Ryan Silva among others for a state crown.

Other sectional champions include: Sahuaro’s Chloe Newell, RioRico’s Marley Henson, Sabino’s Tyler Stamp, St. Augustine’s NicoMontanez and Pusch Ridge Christian’s Sarah Macdonald.

The meet begins at 9 a.m., with the Division I boys race.

All games Friday at 7 p.m. Division I

• no. 12 Sunnyside at no. 5 Mesa Red Mountain

• no. 10 Tucson at no. 7 Chandler Basha

• no. 15 Sahuaro at no. 2 Cienega

• no. 14 Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep at no. 3 SalpointeCatholic

• no. 11 Glendale Apollo at no. 6 Ironwood Ridge

• no. 10 Canyon del Oro at no. 7 Tempe Marcos de Niza

• no. 16 Gilbert Campo Verde at no. 1 Sabino

• no. 13 Douglas at no. 4 Queen Creek

• no. 11 Avondale Agua Fria at no. 6 Nogales

• no. 11 Empire at no. 6 Mohave Valley River Valley

Tuesday at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 10 Yuma Kofa at no. 7 Rincon/University

• no. 16 Cienega at no. 1 Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep

• no. 14 Sabino at no. 3 Glendale Ironwood

• no. 12 Salpointe Catholic at no. 5 Phoenix Sunnyslope

• no. 10 Ironwood Ridge at no. 7 Prescott

• no. 9 Mountain View at no. 8 Peoria Liberty

Division III (Friday at 2 p.m.)

• no. 15 Sahuarita vs. no. 2 Catalina, at Tim’s Toyota Center inPrescott Valley

Pick of the Preps: Fall state championships hit high gear

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Marathon

Tucson Olympic hopeful breaks 2:40 inmarathon

Olympic hopeful Gina Slaby sliced nearly 3 minutes off her besttime in finishing 10th among women running Sunday in the TwinCities Marathon in St. Paul, Minn.

Slaby, 30, of Tucson, finished in 2 hours 39 minutes 35 seconds.She had already qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials in themarathon with a time of 2:42:20 in January’s P.F. Chang Rock ‘n’Roll Marathon in Phoenix.

The Olympic trials qualifying standard for women is 2 hours 46minutes. the Olympic trials will be Houston in January.

Fellow Tucsonan Tia Accetta finished six spots behind Slaby onSunday, clocking 2:48:52.

UA sports

Wildcats beaten by Stanford in volleyball, Utah insoccer

The Arizona Wildcats lost 3-1 to Utah Sunday in a Pac-12 soccergame in Salt Lake City.

The loss means the Wildcats are still winless at 0-9-2, 0-2-1 inthe conference. But the good news is that their scoring droughtappears to be over.

After being shut out in seven of its first eight games, the UAscore three goals on the trip to Colorado and Utah. SophomoreAna-Maria Montoya had the UA goal Sunday.

The Wildcats face the Oregon schools this weekend at MurpheyStadium.

• Despite a season-high 21 kills from Courtney Karst, theWildcats lost 3-1 at no. 6 Stanford in Pac-12 volleyball. Setscores were 25-21, 23-25, 25-15, 25-18.

Things get no easier this weekend as the Wildcats play host toNo. 5 USC and no. 2 UCLA.

• the Wildcats lost to no. 9 Arizona State 3-2 after a shootoutin club hockey Saturday in Tempe. UA is 0-2.

Horse racing

Blind Luck won’t run in Breeders’ Cup Ladies’Classic

ARCADIA, Calif. – Blind Luck will miss the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’Classic next month, although Hall of Fame trainer JerryHollendorfer says last year’s 3-year-old filly isn’t injured.

Blind Luck finished a surprising last in the $250,000 Lady’sSecret Stakes on Saturday, beaten by 19 lengths.

It was the first time in 22 career starts that she finishedworse than third. She was considered a leading contender for the $2million Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4.

Miscellaneous

California swimmer, 31, sets distant record inNY

NEW YORK – Evan Morrison broke the record for the 17.5-mile swimfrom Sandy Hook, N.J., to lower Manhattan’s Battery Park, winningthe Ederle Swim on Sunday in 5 hours 24 minutes 53 seconds.

Morrison, 31, of Goleta, Calif., broke the mark of 6:06:01 setby Elizabeth Fry in June.

The race is named for Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swimthe English Channel.

• in Reno, Nev., Carson High School kicker Austin Pacheco booteda 64-yard field goal with 27 seconds left to lead his team to a27-24 win over Bishop Manogue on Saturday night.

The Nevada Appeal of Carson City reported it was thesecond-longest field goal in Nevada history. in 1985, Reno High’sDirk Borgognone kicked a 68-yarder against Sparks. the NFL recordis 63 yards.

• in Bangkok, fourth-ranked Andy Murray claimed his 19th careertitle in beating American Donald Young 6-2, 6-0 in the final of theThailand Open.

Staff and wire reports

Tiger Woods, his once formidable game in shambles due topersonal problems and injuries, will fall out of world golf’s top50 today.

consecutive weeks – two shy of 15 years – Woods has been in thetop 50, much of that time atop the rankings.

SOURCE: the associated Press

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Which is most likely in 2009 Golf?

(a) Tiger makes a comeback. He realizes that he is in fact left handed, switches to lefty clubs and then wins all 4 majors using only a 6 iron.
(b) Tiger takes the year off for further rehab. Televised golf becomes a thing of the past. Ladies volleyball takes all new sponsorship.

I go with A

the first part of B might be probable, but with new guys like anthony kim and boo weekly, golf is almost interesting to watch even when tiger isnt around

A

Did you know Tiger woods actually started lefthanded but latter switched to right handed even though he switched at a very young age.

and I'll add something Sergio Garcia wins his first Major. (my favorite golfer ).

THAT IS THE MOST AWESOME QUESTION I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!! (A)

Which is most likely in 2009 Golf?