Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

Visitors and tourists alike love to soak up the sunshine and balmy temperatures that signal spring in Tempe. This Thursday through Saturday, you’re invited to spend time outdoors at ASU Karsten Golf Course and see some great up and coming golfers. ASU Karsten is hosting the Thunderbird Invitational, aka the ASU Men’s Golf Invitational, April 1-3. The ASU men’s golf team will play against teams from U of A, Cal, UCLA, USC, Oregon, Stanford, BYU and many more.

The public is welcome to watch the tournament and support our home team, ASU. Practice rounds for all teams begin at 7:30 am on Thursday, April 1. The first and second rounds of play will begin on Friday, April 2 at 7:30 am with continuous play throughout the day. The final round will begin at 7 am on Saturday, April 3.

If you haven’t been to ASU Karsten, this is your chance to see one of the best golf courses in town. It is a classic Pete Dye, links-style course.  Top PGA and LPGA TOUR professionals such as Phil Mickelson, Billy Mayfair, Grace Park and Anna Nordqvist sharpened their skills at this premier facility during their time at Arizona State University.

For more info, go to www.asukarsten.com. Go Sun Devils!

March could possibly be the best time to visit Tempe. The sunshine is plentiful, there are fun special events throughout the month and of course, it’s time for Cactus League Spring Training.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim call Tempe Diablo Stadium home from March 4 through April 1. The Cactus League season, which includes 15 teams, officially begins on March 3 and ends on April 3. There will more than 200 games played in Arizona during the season. The Angels will face opponents such as the Cubs, the Giants, the Dodgers, the Brewers and for the first time this year, the Cincinnati Reds.

Tickets at Tempe Diablo Stadium start at just $6. All of the information that you need to plan a day at the ballpark or a trip to Arizona for baseball fun can be found at www.stayintempe.com, including complete game schedules, ticket information, hotel specials and more.

In closing, I’d love to know…what’s your favorite thing about spring training?

I’ve never been a runner, even when I was a kid. I do enjoy walking, but I don’t have the right stuff for marathon walking. However, I do love the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon because participating as a spectator is so much fun at this one. It’s the event where music hits the pavement along with runners and spectators from all over the world. And, it’s definitely not only for the runners. It is just as exciting for spectators like me who line the streets from the starting point at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, through Scottsdale right to the end in Tempe. It’s electrifying being there to cheer for friends, family and elite racers and energizing just listening to all the great music provided by bands every mile along the marathon routes. With more than 60 bands playing reggae, rock, country, rhythm and blues and jazz, there’s plenty of toe tapping and dancing along both courses. It all culminates in a big free post race concert. This year Everclear will perform at Sun Angel Stadium at Arizona State University. The band will perform two sets, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The marathons take place this Sunday, January 17; but, everyone can get into the spirit of the race ahead of time by attending the Health and Fitness Expo on January 15-16 at the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 130 exhibitors will be on hand with athletic clothing and gear, official race merchandise, souvenirs and food. There’s even tourism information for visitors who are not familiar with our area in booths hosted by the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

The P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon is just plain fun. When so many people are suffering through a brutally harsh winter, it’s great to be in this part of the world soaking up the sun and enjoying this fantastic frenzy of runners, fans and bands. Will you be there as a spectator, or as a participant in the race?

For more information on Tempe events, visit www.ExploreTempe.com and http://www.tempescene.com/.

The P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon takes place on the morning of January 17, just under two weeks away! That means just two weeks left of training until the big day! This will be my first time running the 1/2 marathon - 13.1 miles. Maybe someday I will try the full 26.2 mile marathon, but it may be only in my dreams!

Marathon runners begin their race at 7:40 a.m., while 1/2 marathon runners like myself start at 8:30 a.m. The excitement starts early for runners while they enjoy coffee, fruit and more at the Start Line Village before the race. Once the race begins, so does the non-stop entertainment! A variety of different bands line the course to keep the energy going. This race is not just fun for the runners, but also for the many spectators that come to watch their family members and friends compete.

Once the race is over, the runners and spectators can keep the fun going at the post-race headliner concert featuring Everclear! I will be excited for the final concert since at that point I will know that I have made it, and completed the 1/2 marathon! This year’s headliner concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Sun Angel Stadium, immediately following the race. The concert is free and open to the public so make sure to invite your friends!

If you plan to have friends or family meet you at the finish line make sure to check out the road closure information for race day too. It can be tricky getting around that day!

I’m super excited about my first 1/2 marathon – hopefully I make it to the finish line either running or walking – not crawling! Is anyone else running the marathon or 1/2 marathon? If so, I’d love to hear any tips you have for a first-timer!

ASU Sun Devils, make room for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa State Cyclones! Both teams and their fans are set to take over Sun Devil Stadium for an exciting Insight Bowl on December 31. The teams have arrived and are preparing for the big game. Fans from Iowa and Minnesota are ready to cheer their teams on to victory and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our hometown.

In my humble opinion, Tempe is the perfect place for a college bowl game, especially on New Year’s Eve. Tempe is a spirited college town that knows how to roll out the welcome mat for visitors. At the Insight Bowl, fans will be able to attend pep rallies for their team in the Mill Avenue District, walk to the stadium for the big game and then, walk right into one of the country’s best New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Fiesta Bowl Block Party is a fun-filled street party with live entertainment, activities for the whole family, fireworks displays and beer gardens.

The Insight Bowl kicks off at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The block party gates open at 5 p.m. For more details about these events, go to http://www.tempecvb.com/infopages/landing_insight.aspx.

May the best team win!

For some of the Ford Ironman Arizona athletes this is what they are made for and are in it to win, for others just finishing is a fete in and of itself. The mental and physical journey the Ford Ironman takes each athlete though just emanates off of them, both before and after the race.  It is a personal undertaking to prove to themselves what they are made of and that they truely can do whatever they set their minds to.

I know to the average person, myself included, think what these athletes do is almost unimaginable. After these athletes cross the finish line of the Ironman, they might also realize that they have just accomplished something they never thought imaginable. If you would like to do the unimaginable and participate in a future Ironman race go to http://www.ironmanarizona.com/ and check out some of the amazing athletes that have won past races.

I have been a volunteer at the Ford Ironman for the last two years and this event never ceases to amaze me. The dedicated athletes that train year round for this event are some of the nicest people you will meet from all around the world. Even after daunting mental and physical tasks of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 24.6 miles, they were so absolutely appreciative for what we (the volunteers) were doing, I was truly amazed and inspired by the people I met.  Experiencing the energy of this event and being a part of it, though I was not as a participant but a volunteer, it is truly awe  inspiring. The last two years that I have volunteered at this event I almost been brought to tears by these athletes and what thy are able to do. It really makes you put things into perspective, if they can do this then….. well, whatever it is that you or I want to do, but don’t think we can in that moment and even after, really seems possible. If you would like to volunteer at this years Ford Ironman race fill out this form https://www.ironmancenter.com/volunteer/imarz/index.php on the website.

If you have been around Tempe in the last few weeks you have probably seen the signs posted in regards to traffic restrictions for the Ford Ironman this weekend. For more information on the traffic restrictions you can go to http://www.ironmanarizona.com/index.php and under Race Essentials there is a list of roads that will be closed all day Saturday November 22,2009.

There are 6 more days to vote for Tempe, Arizona in the United States Tennis Association’s “Best Tennis Town” contest. Tempe is among 10 cities that qualified for this great honor. The USTA recognized Tempe for its excellent tennis facilities, passionate players and for having one of the best tennis programs in the country.

The winner is determined by popular vote. Go to www.BestTennisTown.com to cast your vote. Votes will be taken through July 26. The winning city will be recognized during a special ceremony at the US Open. A win for Tempe would mean an award of $100,000, which would be used to further improve Tempe’s facilities and tennis programs. When it comes to building an active community, every little bit helps!

Cast your vote today!

Tempe is the best place to be this springtime to enjoy the weather with your friends and family. Here are my favorite activites that are coming up this spring:

• The Tempe Spring Festival of the Arts – March 27-29. More than 400 juried artists ranging from digital photography to jewelry will fill the Mill Avenue District. Enjoy the art, music and food!
• The Circle K Tempe Music Festival - April 3-4. The festival features multiple stages with over 30 bands including local, regional and national headliners, food booths and fun activities for kids.
• Pat’s Run – April 18. Join more than 20,000 runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators to celebrate and remember the life of Pat Tillman at Pat’s Run on April 18.
• 6th Annual Arizona Dragon Boat Festival – March 28-29. Cheer on your favorite cardboard boat at the Rotary River Rally and The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta on April 17-18.
• My Nana’s Best Tasting Salsa Challenge - April 25. More than 25,000 salsa lovers are expected to come and taste 90 different recipes and vote for the best.

Spring training has officially sprung for 2009! And with tickets starting at just $6.00 per game at Tempe Diablo Stadium, it’s a great way to get outside, soak up some sun and enjoy the early summer we’ve been having lately. Even if you’re not a die-hard fan of the Los Angeles Angels, pick up a few tickets and head down to the stadium, where you can see every team from the Chicago White Sox to our own hometown heroes, the Arizona Diamondbacks. The last game at Tempe Diablo Stadium is on April 1, 2009, so be sure to check out the spring training schedule and make your plans now. Nothing says “spring” like a hot dog and an ice-cold beer at a ballgame!

This weekend is the annual Kajikawa Classic softball tournament, hosted by ASU. Nearly 20 softball teams from around the country will be in Tempe for the tournament, which is named after former Arizona State coach Bill Kajikawa. The tournament takes place this weekend from Friday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8 at the Tempe Sports Complex on Warner Rd. and Hardy Dr.

If you are looking for a great day outside and enjoy watching softball, this is a fun event to attend! The Tempe CVB is hosting a tent at the event, so be sure to stop by and say hello!