Camp, golf, locker rooms and more. The Positive Spin newsletter is here.

RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER

Sinking it at last year's Snell Motors Golf Tournament to Benefit the YMCA.

Snell Motors Golf Tournament to Benefit the Y May 17

We know it's pretty much the only thing that got you through winter: The promise of the Y's annual golf tournament. Well, hang on, it's coming. Here's the details and the sign-up sheet.

The Snell Motors Golf Tournament to Benefit the YMCA will take place on Friday, March 17 at the North Links Golf Course. This annual event is an opportunity for groups or individuals to spend a great day on the links, enjoy 18 holes, two meals and lots of socializing and have it translate to helping families be healthy.

The golf tournament proceeds are used to help low-income families join the YMCA, which provides reduced rates to those who are struggling financially.

And the cost to you? Ninety-nine bucks for a full day that includes greens fees, cart rental, two meals and a really decent excuse to take a day off work.

Dr. Cindra Kamphoff

This year's tournament has a new feature: A luncheon talk by Dr. Cindra Kamphoff. Kamphoff is the director of the Center for Sport and Performance Psychology at Minnesota State University, Mankato. From noon to 12:45, Kamphoff will lead a talk and workshop on using psychology for a better game of golf.

Sponsorships are always available as well. Businesses interested in serving as a hole sponsor at $200 or major sponsor at $500, please contact Joe Tougas at 507-345-9807.

Hole sponsors have signage and staff (if desired) at holes and major sponsors have logo placement on all of the tournament's print materials (newspaper ads, etc).

Coinciding nicely with the golf tourney, The Y is offering adult golf lessons. Brush up or get acquainted with a great summer sport. Contact Laura Diaz at 387-8255.

Dittrich takes two at the Y's City Racquetball Tournament

Mike Dittrich

Minnesota Racquetball Hall of Famer Mike Dittrich (left) made his way into both of the winning A-team spots in the 39th Annual City Racquetball Tournament that took place on the weekend of March 1 at the Y.

Dittrich took top honors in A singles competition and along with Steve Slechta won the A doubles tournament.

Kelly Kirk was the B singles champ while Tim Knaak and Jeff Ditrrich took the B doubles honors.

Get your business in the Y

front lobby

Have you noticed the digital message boards in the Y lobby and the Life Center? Not only are these display terminals a more colorful and attractive way to provide members with the latest Y news flashes, it's an affordable way for businesses to support the Y while reaching potential customers.

For $100 a month, your professionally designed message will rotate among messages at the rate of six times per hour for every hour of operation. Crunching the numbers, that adds up to 2,735 showings of your message per week, and a rate of .03 per message.

Interested? We're limiting the number of sponsors to 20, so stop by the lobby and Life Center and have a look. Email or call

Joe Tougas to sign up at 345-9807.

swimmers at camp patterson

We're ready for you. Are you ready for the summer? YMCA Camp registration is open

It's up and running - YMCA summer camps are formed and taking registration in all camps: preschool, school age, teen adventure, specialty, skateboarding and Camp Patterson.

You can view or download the 2013 camp program guide here. Pick your dates and register soon. In these cold months, parents are more than happy to not only think summer, but act on it.

Men's locker rooms to be finished by month's end

Good news, guys.

The adult men's locker room and the men & boys locker rooms are expected to be open and ready for use by March 21.

This will allow for work to finish on the women's and girls locker room, which has been serving as the temporary men's locker room. We've appreciated everybody's patience with the construction and re-distributing of space, and we're certain the results will prove to be worth the hassle. All locker rooms should be open and ready by May 1.

A reminder, too, that the locker room system is no longer about keys given back and forth at the front desk, but personal padlocks for use while at the Y. We have padlocks for sale at the front desk, but you're welcome to bring your own.

Shamrock
It with the St. Pat's run March 16

Get your green going and hit the trail on Saturday, March 16 at the Mankato Family YMCA's St. Patrick's Run.

It's a cool morning of outdoor fun followed by indoor warmth at the Y.

The run begins at 9 a.m. with registration takes place beforehand. Print out an entry form here.

Don't forget to dress for the occasion in any type of green get-up. A good costume could win a great prize.

News and notes

We're now registering participants for summer YMCA T-Ball for players entering in the fall of 2013 grades K-2. Download the registration flyer here...The folks in fitness have developed a couple of new classes: A Sunday drop-in BodyPump class that meets every Sunday 11 a.m. at the Y. And a running class is forming for runners hoping to increase their times and their endurance. Kim Scheel will teach the class at at 8:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning April 9.

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