Cancer Challenge Continues To Grow

File Photo Jason Ivester A large group of runners participated in the Cancer Challenge 5K Race last year at Orchard Park in Bentonville.

File Photo Jason Ivester A large group of runners participated in the Cancer Challenge 5K Race last year at Orchard Park in Bentonville.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

BELLA VISTA -- Bella Vista Village is going to be a busy place next weekend as the 21st annual Cancer Challenge kicks off next week.

The Cancer Challenge has raised over $10 million for cancer programs and services and all the money stays in Northwest Arkansas. Walmart is the presenting sponsor and this year's event is expected to raise $700,000.

At A Glance

21st Cancer Challenge

June 19-21

Thursday

Junior Tennis Clinic and Tournament, Kingsdale Tennis Complex, Noon-4:30 p.m.

Friday

Golf Tournament, Flights 1-2, Bella Vista Kingswood/Berksdale, 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Adult Tennis Tournament, Bella Vista Kingsdale Tennis Complex, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Trap Shoot Tournament, Bella Vista Gun Range, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday

Golf Tournament, Flight 3, Bella Vista Kingswood/Berksdale, 7:30 a.m.

10K- 5K Run-1-mile Walk, Orchards Park, Bentonville, 7:30 a.m.

Adult Tennis Tournament, Bella Vista Kingsdale Tennis Complex, 7:30 a.m.

The event features adult and junior doubles tennis tournaments at the Kingsdale Tennis Complex, a golf tournament at the Kingsdale and Berksdale courses and a one-day trap shooting tournament at the gun range in the Highlands. There will also be a 10k and 5K race and a mile fun walk Saturday at Orchards Park in Bentonville.

"The Cancer Challenge has just grown tremendously," said Bella Vista tennis professional Paul Pautsch. "There is almost a waiting list to get involved with it, especially tennis. It grows and it grows. The neat thing about it, and the reason I think people do it, is the fact all the money stays right here. We keep our expenses to a bare minimum.

"It's a labor of love for all of us that are involved."

The junior tennis tournament and clinic will be held Thursday. The adult tournament starts Friday and ends Saturday. Play will be from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. each day for the adults.

"We have 248 adult players that will be here for the tennis," Pautsch said. "We do our junior tournament Thursday, and we added seven and under this year. We will have about 50 in the junior tournament. I've got kids of kids that I have taught playing in the adult tournament."

The golf tournament will feature three flights at the two courses. The first two flights will tee off Friday while the third flight will tee off Saturday morning.

The trap shoot tournament will be an all day event at the Bella Vista Gun Range in the Highlands on Friday.

For more information on the Cancer Challenge, call 273-3172 or go to cancerchallenge.com.

Sports on 06/14/2014