Jimmy Siemers: The reigning world water ski champion and his teammates at Arizona State are trading out their skis and wakeboards in lieu of golf clubs for the 11th annual ASU Water Ski Team Awards Banquet and Golf Classic. The tournament, which raises scholarship money for the ASU club sport, is set for Nov. 19 at Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler.
           Siemers, who recently won the overall world championship that combines slalom, tricks and jumping, said he loves to tee it up when he’s not competing on the water. "On a decent day, I’ll shoot 80,’’ said the 23-year-old senior from Austin, Texas. "And I’ve hit some amazing shots, like last year when I holed out a 120-yard shot from a fairway bunker at Karsten (Golf Course).’’
           Siemers and his 15 teammates -- eight women and seven men -- will all be playing in the fund-raiser at Ocotillo. "Well, not all of us play, but if you don’t play then you have to work the tournament,’’ reported Siemers, noting that the event includes a lot of skiing enthusiasts.
          David Phillips, who has coaches the ASU club since its inception 11 years ago, said there is a very good reason why water skiers play in this event. "Arizona has more boats per capita than any other state, and that makes for a lot of skiers,’’ said Phillips, who sells insurance in the East Valley when he’s not coaching.
          Of course, few are as spectacular as Siemers, who Phillips calls "The most talented athlete I’ve ever met.’’ And while Phillips is impressed with Siemers’ potential as a golfer -- "He’s picking up the game so fast’’ -- it’s all the other things he does that impress the coach.
          Actually, soccer was Siemers’ first passion as a kid. "I actually played a little semi-pro soccer for awhile, then I decided to stick to skiing, and turned pro when I was 17,’’ he said, noting that club members at ASU can compete professionally. "I’ve won (the world championship twice), and came close a couple of other times, so it’s all worked out pretty good.’’
          Now comes the golf tournament, an event Siemers said he’s really looking forward to after spending the past few weeks honing his game. "I’ve never had a hole-in-one, so chances are I won’t win the Cadillac or the $50,000 that goes with it,’’ he said of the biggest prize being offered at the Ocotillo event. "But who knows? Maybe I can win the PING irons we’re giving away or something else.’’
        Cost of the tournament is $160 per player, and the entry fee includes a polo shirt and a barbecue at which the awards will be presented by emcee Jonathan Elias, the anchor at Channel 15. Those who wish to participate and meet Siemers, Phillips and the rest of the ASU team should call (480) 897-6088 or visit www.asuwaterskiteam.com.
NOTEWORTHY
         Hall inductees: The Arizona Golf Hall of Fame will induct five distinguished golfers Nov. 21 during ceremonies at Camelback Golf Club in Scottsdale. The 2005 class includes John and Betty Beckwith, who are being honored posthumously for their work in establishing the Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association; Kerry Graham, a one-time instructor in the Phoenix area who rose to national president of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Division; Dee Hornbake of Concho, a past state champion, and long-time volunteer and course rater in Arizona; John Jackson, a former Arizona State and PGA Tour player and winner of numerous Southwest Section of the PGA titles, who captured the 1969 USGA Public Links Championship; and Mark Sollenberger, a former ASU player who won numerous state titles including four Arizona Amateurs.
        Impressive: Among those moving on to the second stage of the PGA Tour’s qualifying school are 111 members of this past year’s Grey Goose Gateway Tour. Even more impressive, five former Grey Goose players -- Jerry Smith of Scottsdale (sixth), Kris Cox (10th),  Charley Hoffman (19th), Jeff Gove (20th) and Bubba Watson  (21st) -- ended up among the top 21 on the Nationwide Tour and earned cards on the PGA Tour for 2006.
        Milestone: The PGA Tour announced this week at the Tour Championship in Atlanta that it has reached $1 billion in charitable donations, which dates back to 1939. The FBR Open was part of the
"Drive to a Billion,’’ contributing $35 million through the years.