Diving Champion McCormick to Speak

Pat McCormick, the first diver to win two gold medals in each of two consecutive Olympics, will speak Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m. in conjunction with the Orange County Senior Games.

A motivational speaker, McCormick’s appearance will be at the South Coast Medical Center, 31872 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Admission is free.

McCormick, who was born in Seal Beach, competed in the springboard and platform events in Helsinki in 1952 and Melbourne in 1956. She was the first athlete to ever perform the “double-double”--double somersault with a double twist.

Winner of the prestigious Sullivan Trophy in 1956, given annually to the year’s best amateur athlete, she also won 27 U.S. championships. In 1996, she was selected an “Olympian with a Heart of Gold” for her community efforts, by the national Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

The Senior Games take place Aug. 5-13 throughout South Orange County. For information, contact the South Coast YMCA at (949) 495-9622.

The events:

Badminton--Aug. 12, 8 a.m., Orange County Badminton Club, 1432 N. Main St., Orange. Singles, doubles, mixed doubles. USBA rules apply. Athletes must qualify in all events and may compete with only one partner per event. Fee: $5 per event. Contact: John Belanger, (949) 859-7450.

Basketball--Aug. 5, 8 a.m., Saddleback College gymnasium, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. Three-on-three competitions. Teams must be of same gender. Maximum of five players per team. Athletes may play on only one team. Team entry deadline is July 28, but rosters may be modified up to event start. Fee: $75 per team; $90 per team from July 18-28. Contact: Ernie Miller, (949) 489-1555.

Billiards--Aug. 8, 10 a.m., Plush Pocket, 24356 Swartz Dr., Lake Forest. Eight-ball; round-robin tournament or double elimination. Fee: $10 per event, includes lunch. Contact: Rick Reavis, (949) 461-0020 or Van Aposhian, (949) 461-0056.

Dancesport--Aug. 12, 3:30 p.m., Leisure World, Clubhouse 5, Laguna Woods. General dancing for everyone between events on large, competition dance floor. Fee: $30 per couple, unlimited events. Contact: Nita Greenfield, (949) 588-9445.

Golf--Aug. 7, 8 a.m., El Toro Marine Memorial Golf Course, El Toro Marine Air Station, Irvine. Men’s and women’s 18-hole scratch, longest drive and hole-in-one competitions. Golfers may organize their own foursomes and single entries are welcomed. Fee: $55, including cart. Contact: Mark Robles, (949) 458-7113.

Handball--Aug. 12-13, 9 a.m., Saddleback Valley YMCA, 27341 Trabuco Place, Mission Viejo. Men’s singles and doubles competition. Protective eye wear is mandatory. Fee: $5 per event. Contact: Chuck Costello, (949) 707-4401.

Lawn Bowling--Aug. 10, 9 a.m., Heisler Park, 455 Cliff Dr., Laguna Beach. Competition limited to current or former members of a Lawn Bowling Club. Two 14 end triples games. Blind draw. Tournament attire requested. Fee: $5. Contact: Bill Brown, (949) 489-8403.

Racquetball--Aug. 5-6, 9 a.m., Saddleback Valley YMCA, 27341 Trabuco Place, Mission Viejo. Men’s singles and doubles competition. Fee: $5 per event. Contact: Ron Combs, (949) 586-3877.

Rock Climbing (indoors)--Aug. 13, 8 a.m., Rockreation, 1300 Logan Ave., Costa Mesa. Competition categories are separate or male and female as well as in five-year increments. Red Point competition rules apply, based on five best climbs in three hours. Fee: $5. Contact: Mary Ellen Zinser, (562) 597-1415.

Sailing--Aug. 7, 1 p.m., Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, 3821 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. Competition will be organized for experienced sailors into three age groups: 55-64, 65-74 and 75-up. Sabots will be provided and competitors will follow the prescribed sailing course inside Huntington Harbour. Fee: $15 per event. Contact: Art Doble, (562) 592-1836.

Softball--Aug. 5-8, 8 a.m., Steed Park, 247 Avenida La Pata, San Clemente. For 50, 55 and 60 age groups, competition is Aug. 5-6; for 65, 70 and 75-plus age groups, competition is Aug. 7-8, all beginning at 8 a.m. SCMAF Softball Assn. rules as modified for Senior Games will govern the tournament. The team roster is limited to 15 players and athletes may compete on only one team. Competition in Major, AAA, AA, A and Recreation divisions. Fee: $245 per team. Contact: Bob Maltinsky, (949) 361-5755.

Surfing--Aug. 5, 6:30 a.m., Doheny State Beach, 25300 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. A three-round format will be used, featuring 15-minute, six-man heats with top three waves scored. Top three contestants from each heat advance to next round. Fee: $10. Contact: Ron Franz, (949) 248-4869.

Swimming--Aug. 5, 10 a.m., Crown Valley Community Pool, 29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. Free style at 50, 100 and 200 yards; backstroke at 50, 100 and 200 yards; breaststroke at 50 and 100 yards; butterfly at 50 and 100 yards’ individual medley at 100 and 200 yards. Maximum of four events. Fee: $5 per event. Contact: Bob Orozco, (949) 831-6365.

Table Tennis--Aug. 5, 10 a.m., Leisure World, Clubhouse 1 (mini gym), Laguna Woods. Singles, doubles, mixed doubles. Balls provided but not paddles. USATT rules govern competition. Fee: $5 per event. Contact: Olga and Stanley Kahan, (949) 830-6699 or (949) 454-2495.

Tennis--Aug. 5-6, 9 a.m., Coto Valley Tennis Club, 23335 Avenida La Caza, Coto de Caza. Singles, doubles, mixed doubles. USTA rules and codes of conduct will govern play. Best-of-three sets with a consolation round. Participants guaranteed two matches. Fee: $15 per event. Contact: Carolyn Shaffer, (949) 364-5655.

Track and Field--Aug. 12, 8 a.m., Saddleback College Stadium, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. USATF-sanction meet. Events: 5,000-meter run; 10,000-meter run; javelin; 5,000-meter race walk; 50-meter dash; high jump; 400-meter run; shotput; 100-meter dash; long jump; discus; 800-meter run; 1,500-meter run; 200-meter dash. Fees: $10 per event. On-site registration accepted at $30 plus event fees. Contact: Saddleback College Emeritus Institute, (949) 582-4835.

Men’s Volleyball--Aug. 12, 9 a.m., South Coast YMCA, 29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. USVBA rules will govern play. Round-robin tournament. Maximum of 10 players per team. Athletes may play on only one team per division. Fee: $80 per team; $95 per team from July 18-28. Contact: Wade Agin, (949) 495-9622.

Women’s Volleyball--Aug. 13, 10 a.m., South Coast YMCA, 29831 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel. USVBA rules will govern play. Round-robin tournament. Maximum of 10 players per team. Athletes may play on only one team per division. Fee: $80 per team; $95 per team from July 18-28. Contact: Wade Agin, (949) 495-9622.