Local golf champion invited ‘down under’

International Sports Specialists Inc. invited Sahuarita High School senior golfer Eric Briggs to play in the Down Under International Games this summer.

Briggs helped the Mustangs earn a state runner-up trophy in his junior year, and a 4A Regional crown this past season, while taking the individual regional championship with a remarkable 71, even though he was suffering from a wrist sprain at the time.

Finishing the season with a nine-hole average of just under 38, Briggs has broken 70 twice, and carded a 31 in a practice round for the Regional, the best among area high schoolers.

Chosen by an ISSI selection committee based on his success in junior tournaments and high school golf, Briggs is hoping friends, fellow golfers, and members of the community will want to pitch in to help him raise the approximately $4,000 needed to send individual athletes to the Games in July.

Joe and Kathy Rieman, owners of Triple Play, are planning an April 12 fundraiser at their sports complex on Duval Mine Road with all the proceeds going to help Eric reach his goal.

Native New Zealander George O’Scanlon created the opportunity for young athletes back in 1989 when he founded the first Down Under Bowl, followed by the Down Under Hoops Classic.

The International Games attracted young stars from all 50 states last year, competing against Australians and New Zealanders.

Prior standouts at the Games include NFL quarterback Jake Plummer and Houston running back Ahman Green.

The tournaments include competition in football, wrestling, cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, track and field, soccer and swimming, as well as golf.

According to its press release, “ISSI’s goal is to continue to provide athletes who excel in their sport the opportunity to experience the culture, beauty, and grandeur of the land Down Under all within the framework of spirited and intense competition in many different sports.”

“It’s really cool to think that I’d be able to play in a place like Australia, learn about another culture, and represent my country,” said Briggs, who plans to attend the University of Arizona in the fall and perhaps get a spot on the golf team.

“I’d like to focus on my studies,” said the honor student who hopes to go into either engineering or pharmacology, “although I am going to try out.”

Briggs, who finished fourth in the Southern Arizona Junior Championships at Saddle Brooke Ranch a couple of months ago, practices five days a week at Torres Blancas, and still mentors some of his younger teammates.

Looking forward to a lot of life experiences in a short period of time, he said he’s excited to be able to travel out of the country for the first time and gaze on things he’s only seen on television.

“It’s an honor, in my eyes,” said his mother Mina, “that a program like this is looking at my son.”

Nearly 3,000 athletes compete, and American youngsters will get a week in Surfer’s Paradise on the Gold Coast with escorted visits to theme parks and to see wildlife, along with three or four days in Hawaii.

The flight, two meals a day, 4-5 star hotel accommodations and all ground transportation are included in the package, and 80 percent of athletes who attend do fundraising projects to cover the cost.

Briggs, who can be reached at 232-3133, is already offering fundraising donation tickets for $2 each that are entered into a drawing for two free trips during the tournaments to either Australia or New Zealand, and Hawaii.

Triple Play is inviting poker enthusiasts who want to help with Eric’s dream to the April 12 Eric Briggs Texas Hold ‘Em tournament starting at 6 p.m., with the $10 contribution getting them $2,000 in chips and a chance to win some of the donated prizes.

“We love to support our local athletes,” said Rieman, who said anyone interested can call Triple Play at 625-7888 for details.

“We’ve known Eric for a long time, so we’re hoping to be able to raise some money for him so he can do this.”

Mike Touzeau is a freelance writer for the Green Valley News.