Major Sporting Events
Professional Basketball — The San Antonio Spurs made history in 1999 and 2003 by winning the NBA championship. The Spurs have a very loyal following; although Spurs veteran David Robinson has retired, the team retains stars like Tim Duncan, Malik Rose and Manu Ginobili. For tickets call (210) 444-5050, or go to www.spurs.com.

The WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars boast several top players, including Margo Dydek, who at 7 feet 2 inches tall stands among the world’s tallest women. Catch all the news and highlights at www.sasilverstars.com. For tickets call (210) 225-TEAM.

Spurs Sports & Entertainment brings the best sports and entertainment available anywhere in the United States to the people of San Antonio and South Texas. In November 2002, after two years of planning, designing and construction, Bexar County, the Bexar County Community Arenas Board, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Spurs Sports & Entertainment opened the doors to the new, state-of-the-art SBC Center, which truly offers “Something for Everyone.”

The 18,500-seat facility is home to its permanent tenants, which include the San Antonio Spurs (currently ranked the #1 sports team among all major league professional sports organizations in ESPN’s 2004 Ultimate Standings List), the San Antonio Silver Stars, the San Antonio Rampage (AHL), and the San Antonio Stock Show &Rodeo.
In addition to its permanent tenants, the SBC Center hosts an array of entertainment events, including shows and concerts.

The positive, community-based activities of its players off the court and ice are indicative of franchises that care about their fans. From coaches to players, owners to employees, Spurs Sports & Entertainment has grown into a large San Antonio family.

NCAA Basketball — San Antonio has established a legacy as the place to befor NCAA basketball events. Call (210)820-2104, or go to www.ncaa.com or www.finalfour.com for information.

AHL Hockey — You won’t want to miss any of the hard-hitting, fast-paced action of the Rampage hockey team. An affiliate of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, the Rampage’s regular season is October to April, with playoffs from April to June. For Rampage tickets call (210) 227-GOAL, or go to www.sarampage.com.

Minor League Baseball — The San Antonio Missions are the best entertainment value in town! A Seattle Mariners’ Class AA farm team, the San Antonio Missions give you the chance to see baseball’s future stars today at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. Call (210) 675-7275.

Golf — Rich in history and tradition, the Valero Texas Open is the fourth-oldest golf competition in the United States. It’s held at The Resort Course of La Cantera Golf Club. For tickets, call (210) 341-0823. San Antonio is also home to the SBC Championship, held at Oak Hills Country Club. Call (210) 698-3582 for tickets.

Soccer — The San Antonio Soccer Association’s annual Cinco de Mayo Tournament is held at Retama Polo Fields each May. Teams from San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin and El Paso, as well as out-of-state teams, participate. For information, call (210) 681-5408, or go to www.sanantoniosoccer.com.

Auto Racing — Enjoy area auto racing throughout the year at the San Antonio Speedway (March to October), River City Raceway (May to October), Alamo Dragway (year round) and Thunder Hill Raceway (April to September).

Horse Racing — See this sport either live or through simulcasts at Retama Park, held every day except Christmas. Call (210) 651-7119 or go to www.retamapark.com for race information.

Recreation Options
San Antonio residents love their sports and activities. There are 177 city-owned parks — most are filled on weekends.

Here is a list of different sports and activities for all ages. For an overview of all Department of Parks and Recreation programs and facilities, call (210) 207-3000, or visit www.ci.sat.tx.us/sapar.

Basketball — The city sponsors leagues all around the city, with participants divided by age, height and corporate affiliation. The Parks and Recreation leagues generally begin in November, with weekday games at Woodlawn and San Fernando gyms. Call (210) 207-3109.

Birdwatching — With 16 local birding sites and several endangered species thatnest in the area, birdwatching has attracted many to San Antonio on weekendexcursions. The San Antonio Audubon Society meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Ruble Center, 419 E. Magnolia Ave. Call (210) 308-6788.

Cycling — Mountain bikers can enjoy three miles of soft- and hard-surface trails, nature trails, and dirt paths at McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road. On the other side of town, Schnabel Park, 9600 Bandera Road, has two miles of paved trails suitable not just for cycling, but also for jogging and walking.

Frisbee Golf — Live Oak City Park, Blossom Park and New Braunfels’ Prince Solms Park all have relatively new Frisbee golf courses. Play is free, but is B.Y.O.F. — bring your own Frisbee.

Golf — San Antonio has many municipal golf courses as well as country clubs (see partial list on page 99).

Hiking — Friedrich Wilderness Park (21395 Milsa St.) offers a guided natural history hike over steep hills and into deep canyons. To make tour reservations, call (210) 698-1057.

The Cedar Flat Trail, which leads to a lookout tower, highlights the 5.9 miles of trails at Eisenhower Park, 19399 N.W. Military Highway. The tower is open from dawn to dusk and offers breathtaking views of the city.

The Walker Ranch and Historic Landmark (12603 West Ave.) blocks off 80 acresnear the confluence of the Panther Springs and Salado creeks. A favorite campsite,the park also contains a paved, half-miletrail and a playground. Closer to downtown, hikers and joggers often use the 1,903 acres of Brackenridge Park at 3500 N. St. Mary’s St.

Horse Racing — Retama Park is only 25 minutes from downtown San Antonio. It’s open every day of the week for televised simulcast racing from top racetracks around the country. Live thoroughbred action begins in June and continues through September. Call (210) 651-7000.

Horseback Riding — The Hill Country State Natural Area boasts 36 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The 5,369-acre terrain ranges from broad creek bottoms to steep, rocky canyons and includes spring water for horses. Visitors may bring their own horses, or nearby stables also offer rides in the park. The park is located off FM 1077 near Bandera. Call (800) 364-3833.

Another option is Lightning Ranch Inc. in Pipe Creek. Call (830) 510-4136.

Softball — The Parks and Recreation Department’s fall/winter slow-pitch league begins in September with men’s, women’s and co-ed teams playing at seven sites around the city.

The Koger Stokes Complex sponsors youth fast-pitch leagues. Play begins in May. Call (210) 207-3110.

Stargazing — The San Antonio Astronomical Association is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit amateur stargazing groups. The club meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month at Christ Lutheran Church of Alamo Heights, 6720 Broadway, and is open to the public free of charge.

The Scobee Planetarium at San Antonio College is also a great place to gaze at the stars. For information, visit www.accd.edu/sac/ce/scobee/.

Swimming — Learn-to-swim, parent-tot and water aerobics classes are offered at several of Parks and Recreation’s 21 outdoor pools.

Palo Alto College and the San Antonio Natatorium offer open swim, lap work, lessons and water aerobics. Call (210) 226-8541.

Tennis — McFarlin Tennis Center, 1503 San Pedro Ave., is the only public tennis facility operated by the Parks and Recreation Department. Call (210) 732-1223.

Therapeutic Recreation — Basketball, bowling, swimming, gardening, artsand crafts, and dancing are just some ofthe activities available to San Antonianswith disabilities. These programs operateout of Copernicus, Lackland Terrace and Garrett Community centers from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call (210) 207-3048.

Youth Activities — From Boys & Girls Clubs, to the YMCA, to Military Base Youth Centers, many programs are available for San Antonio’s young people. A variety of leagues for different age and skill levels offer baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball. The Kids Sports Network is on top of it all. Call (210) 654-4707. The Jewish Community Center, 12500 N.W. Military Highway, also offers league play in basketball, tennis and volleyball for adults and children. Call (210) 302-6820.

Hunting and Fishing — Hunting andfishing are managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Anglers 16 years and younger do not need licenses. All licenses may be purchased by phone; call (800) 895-4248. The license year runs Sept. 1 through Aug. 31.

Area Sports Facilities
Listed are facilities that are members of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Golf
The Bandit Golf Club
6019 FM 725
New Braunfels, TX 78130 (888) 923-7846

Buckhorn Golf Course
36 FM 473
Comfort, TX 78013 (830) 995-5351

The Dominion Country Club
One Dominion Drive
San Antonio, TX 78257 (210) 698-3364

Flying L Guest Ranch Resort/Conference Center
PO Box 1959
Bandera, TX 78003 (800) 292-5134

Foresight Golf, LLC
512 E. Blanco Suite 200
Boerne, TX 78006 (830) 249-7528

Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa
9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78251 (210) 647-1234

La Cantera Golf Club
16441 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256 (210) 558-4653

Pecan Valley Golf Club
4700 Pecan Valley Drive
San Antonio, TX 78223 (210) 333-9018

The Quarry Golf Club
444 E Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 824-4500

The Republic Golf Course
4226 SE Military Drive
San Antonio, TX 78222 (210) 359-0000

River Bend Home Builders
900 home planned community with world-class championship golf course
101 White Wing Way
Floresville, TX 78114 (830) 216-7773

Tapatio Springs Resort & Conference Center
Boerne, TX 78006 (800) 999-3299

Health Clubs
Academy for the Martial Arts
4963 Stahl Road
San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 656-2467

Concord Athletic Club & Spa
7700 Jones Maltsberger
San Antonio, TX 78216-6949 (210) 828-8880

Family Fitness Unlimited
517 SW Military
San Antonio, TX 78221 (210) 927-9328

Fitness Strategies
www.thetruthfits.com (210) 602-5209

Gold’s Gym
www.goldsgym.com (512) 338-4343

Racquetball & Fitness
Several Locations (210) 490-1980

Horseshoes
Braunig Lake RV Resort andOpen Air “Flea” Market
www.brauniglakervresort.com (210) 633-3170