If golf is more your speed, don’t miss the Wachovia Championship in May. Hosted by Quail Hollow Country Club, the tournament had a successful fifth year. In 2007, Tiger Woods finished 13 under par to win two strokes ahead of second place Steve Stricker. The tournament’s purse is one of the largest on tour, which brings many of the greats to Charlotte.
While Charlotte is not a Major League Baseball town, the Charlotte Knights, 1999 International League Champions, are a favorite of all who enjoy the national pastime. As the Chicago White Sox’s AAA affiliate, the Knights afford local residents the opportunity to see the sport’s rising stars. The team plays at Knights Castle in Fort Mill, just across the S.C. state line off I-77.
The region is also home to two single-A baseball clubs - the Hickory Crawdads (www.hickorycrawdads.com), affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Kannapolis Intimidators (www.intimidatorsbaseball.com), farm club for the Chicago White Sox. Both teams play in the South Atlantic League.
Additionally, the Charlotte Eagles who play in the Second Division of the United Soccer Leagues, and the Lady Eagles, who play in the W-League of the United Soccer Leagues, will delight soccer fans. The Eagles have advanced to the championship match for the past three seasons. The Lady Eagles stunned the league when they were national champs in their second season, 2001.
Catching a Charlotte 49ers men’s basketball game is a must. Led by head coach Bobby Lutz, the 49ers joined the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2005 and consistently make postseason play.
Outdoor sports enthusiasts are excited about the new U.S. National Whitewater Center, a world-class park with controllable rapids that is modeled after the 2000 Olympic site in Australia. Located on the Catawba River near the interchange of I-85 and I-485, the park features rock climbing walls, mountain biking trails and flat water canoeing and kayaking in addition to the rapids.
Whatever your passion, and whatever your budget, as a sports fan you’ll be satisfied in Charlotte. |
