Worth Sporting Goods 2005 Hawaii Dream Tour
FSSA TEAM Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp COMPETES WELL IN MAUI
by Ed Rose & Mike Walker

Pictured in Red

Top Left: Kenny Swank, Roger Werner, Steve Dorrell, Curtis Maurer, Audie Hollis, Mike Gibson

Bottom Left: Mark Wadsworth, Ed Rose, Wayne Brown, Mike Walker, Mike Gainer

Not Pictured: Kevin Spease

This years FSSA Softball-n-Hawaii participants want to pass along a very special “Thank You” to Audie Hollis, (Hollis Appraisals), Pat & Woody Bell (Bell Corp.), and Walter Hock (Dan’s Sports) for their sponsoring this years team with uniforms and entry fee's. Also, we want to thank the following companies who generously contributed to this years successful trip:

Worth Sporting Goods

$ 259.99 Order Now!
The Bats Used by Hollis Appraisals - Miken "FREAK" & "FREAK PLUS")

Over the 2005 Memorial Day weekend the Florida Senior Sports Association (FSSA)
http://www.floridassa.com/ in conjunction with Hawaii USSSA hosted its third Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour. 

IAO Valley - Hiking Trail

Like the 2004 event, this years FSSA Softball-n-HawaiiTour was held on the beautiful island of Maui. USSSA Hawaii State Director, Bob Straub organized the men’s 40+ and women’s 40+ tournament. The FSSA teams were sponsored by Dan Sports (Tampa, FL), Hollis Appraisals (Jacksonville, FL), and Bell Corp (Tampa, FL).

Ed Rose, Executive Director, FSSA and a veteran of the 2002 & 2004 trips to the islands believes that the FSSA has found the perfect formula for those people who dream of somehow combining a great family vacation with playing softball. The way the FSSA has orgainized this annual event is an excellent balance of site seeing and softball for all. This years trip was a great event and it was echoed by all on the way home.

The tournament included men's and women's 40+ divisions. The FSSA team which was comprised of players from Florida and Georgia ranging in age from 40 to 59 played very well and won the hearts of many locals based on their ability to play softball and the great sportsmanship. The FSSA team quickly adopted the "Aloha" spirit which is the trademark of the Islands.

The Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp team was comprised mostly of players from Florida with one player from Atlanta, GA and one from from Maui.  And even though it was a 40+ tournament the Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corpteam was very competitive with their younger opponents.

The Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp team played an exhibition game on Tuesday night prior to the tournament. The Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp team won the game but it was just a fun enviroment even with a heavy wind blowing in off the Pacific Ocean.

Tournament play began Saturday morning with a very inspirational traditional Hawaiian blessing delivered by the honorable Kimokeo (Bully) Kapahulehua along with six of his assistants who opened the tournament by sounding the "pu" (chonk shell) and performing traditional Hawaiian chants.

Sharing the values and culture of Maui & Hawaii was a highlight which was sponsored by the Maui branch of the Hawaii Recreation & Parks Association, an organization of recreation professionals in Maui.

Eight teams participated in the tournament overall with "Bottom of the 5th" from San Diego, CA defeating Team ‘Still Moving" from Maui in the women's 40+ division. While Team "Rookies" from Maui defeated our FSSA Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp Team in the 40+ division championship game.

The finish is as follows.

Women:
1. Bottom of the 5th, San Diego
2. Still Moving, Maui
3. UnCoachables, San Diego
4. Maui Ladies from Hawaiian Hair LLC

Men:
1. Rookies, Maui
2. Hollis Appraisals, Florida
3. Oldah Eleos, Maui
4. Wasabi, Maui

At the conclusion of competition on Sunday, a wonderful “hilite” (celebration) was provided by Hawaii Recording Artist Richard Ho'opii and his two grand daughters who danced several hulas. A plate lunch was served to all participants as a Mahalo (Thank you) for the sportsmanship shown over the course of the weekend. During lunch, Ed Rose, Executive Director FSSA and Bob Straub, Hawaii USSSA State Director presented several awards to the winning teams and players.

Most of the  Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp players were accompanied by their wives, family and/or friends, however several of the team members came solo simply so they could participate in the softball tournament. This years activities included a sunrise bike ride down Mt. Haleakala, Snorkeling adventures, Helicopter tours, ATV tours, Horse back riding, Hiking, Site-Seeing adventures, Golf, Day Trip to Oahu and the Arizona Memorial, and Beach activities which complimented the teams stay prior to the tournament.

Tournament coordinator Bob Straub (pictured left) in conjunction with Ed Rose (pictured right) developed a memory of a lifetime event for the Hollis Appraisals /Dan Sports/Bell Corp players and definitely created a desire for all participants to "Play It Again" over Memorial Weekend in 2006.

2005 Worth Maui Dream Tour was the best tour since inception. We have packed the best tours and identified the best dinning on the Island. Players and their wives are given
orientation to maximize their free time allowing them to fully appreciate the Island's many
breath taking tours. I believe the FSSA is providing a great value to the players and their
family members. We provide what most softball players would consider the ultimate
vacation. They play softball in one of the most magnificent locations in the world and they
treat their partners to many new adventures on the island. This year several players
experienced the magnetic view of Maui from some of the World best Golf Course.

While some of the players and their wives experienced the 7th highest rated SPA in the
WORLD. It makes me feel great when two of the players wives come up and say, this
has been the best vacation of my life ....... Ed Rose

But don't take our word for how much fun this years event was here are some of the comments from our travelers:

"I started the trip feeling like a stranger because I didn't know anybody I was traveling with but now I feel like a family member" - Roger Werner

"Beating Mark Wadsworth on one hole in the three days of golfing was my favorite part of the trip" - Mike Gibson

"My favorite softball moment was getting a base hit up the middle which scored two runs. I also enjoying making new friends and the camaraderie" - Mark Wadsworth

"My favorite moment was beating Mike Walker to breakfast and getting the last bowl of muselix they served that day, Ha Ha Mike!" - Teresa

"I loved traveling around the Island without having to do anything else if I didn't want too and meeting some really nice people" - Mona

"I was so impressed with the Hawaiian church services, where the young girls were dressed in traditional Hawaiian clothing and performed during the services. It was the most beautiful church service I have ever attended anywhere and I've been all over the world" - Isabell Brown

We are extremely excited about the 2006 Maui Tour. We already have numerous players signed up for Softball and Mike Gainer FSSA Vice President is currently developing a package for Golfers. We will be offering both Golf and softball tours next year. So if you play Golf or Softball it will be a busy week. Now we know that this may be a receipt for some relationship problems with the significant other ... Not to worry, we recommend planning on sending your wife or husband to the Grand Wakille SPA and we can assure you, there will be no issues with your significant other after that.

If you are looking for a vacation that you will remember for a long time ,,,,,, you have found it .. start planning now..... as Mark Wadsworth said ...... "one of the best things about this trip is I met some new friends...... This on top of experincing some of the most beatiful sites in The World"...... Join the FSSA Team for the 2006 Tour ..... start saving now!!

The FSSA is already planning next years event so anyone interested in attending next years Softball-n-Hawaii Memorial Day weekend tournament should contact Ed Rose, Executive Director FSSA 321-254-1495 email: edrose@cfl,rr.com or Mike Walker, email: tcadmw1@hotmail.com or by checking at website: http://www.floridassa.com

The FSSA is looking for individuals and/or teams who wish to participate in next year’s event which will include men’s 40 plus, and women's 40 plus brackets. Rose pointed out that this years team had only two players under the age of 50 on it so everyone is welcome to join in the fun and softball next year regardless of your age! Aloha!

2004 Softball-n-Hawaii Dream Tour Sponsors:

Central Florida Insurance
Florida Senior Sports Association/Sporting Goods
Hawaii Recreation & Parks Association
Maui Parks & Recreation Association
Miken Softball Bats - Freak Plus $ 259.99 Order Now!
Pat & Woody Bell (Bell Corp) -Tampa, Florida
Walter Houck (Dan Sports) - Tampa, Florida
Worth Sporting Goods - Rep. Rob Craft

Accomodations:
Kamaole Sands - Kihei, Maui Hawaii

Activities:
(Click here to see the Itnerary and Our Daily Journal)

Pictures:
(click here to see a slide show of this years trip)