Harold Payne, who announced he will retire as general manager of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on April 1, wants it known that he and owner Stan Fulton are parting on good terms. “He was always supportive,” Payne said. “I am leaving as one of Stan’s friends and he as one of mine. I wish him and Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino all the best.”
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who scored the winning touchdown in Baltimore’s overtime victory over the New York Giants in the National Football League championship game in 1958? There was no Super Bowl then. Answer at end.
THE PRO SHOP at Santa Teresa Country Club has been closed for at least a week. That hasn’t stopped some golfers from playing. “At least we play for free,” one said. One former employee guesses that the courses may be put in “moth balls” for a while. Meanwhile, dining facilities remain open.
I WAS IMPRESSED with McKenzie Moore from the first time he hit the hardwood at UTEP this season. He reminds me a lot of Fred Reynolds, who was a super star for the Miners in the 1980s. Like Reynolds, Moore is perfectly built for the sport, has excellent moves and can fly through the air to dunk the ball. But I didn’t know he was so talented he could also make a three-pointer from near half-court to win a game like he did against East Carolina last weekend. On the road, no less.
THE EL PASO Athletic Hall of Fame will begin accepting nominations for induction this year beginning Monday, Feb. 4. Got someone you want to nominate? Easy. Get up 60 copies of a resume and show up at one of the three meetings. Besides Monday, Feb. 4, other nomination meetings will be held on Feb. 18 and March 4 at 5:15 p.m. at First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Street.
GRUMBLES ARE beginning to be heard about banning football because of all the serious injuries. That’s pretty drastic. Maybe rules can be modified to ease all the pounding. Any ideas?
MANY FOLKS who showed up at Ventanas Restaurant at Sunland Park recently were so disappointed there was no longer buffet-style dining they turned away. But, says food and beverage shift manager Luis Moreno-Cano, business is beginning to pick up again. My wife and I along with friends Tommy and Art Johnson went there last week and enjoyed being waited on, the food was good and by the time we had finished ordering a la carte the bill was about the same as the buffet price.
HE’S AT IT again. El Paso’s James Arthur Lyle has won another title. He is the age 65-69 champion of the Southwest Challenge Series, a duathlon and triathlon championship. It’s the oldest and largest duathlon and triathlon series in the world. Lyle was the age group winner for the 17th time and took nine multi sports competitions. All in all he has competed in 307 triathlons so far.
AND I WAS broken hearted to hear that El Paso sports radio and TV personality John Garmon was killed in a pedestrian accident last week at the age of 72. He was such a nice, easy going, friendly fellow people were just naturally drawn to him. I knew his father, the late Jake Garmon, well. He was the head pro at Valdespino Golf Course and then at Ascarate Golf Course when I was taking up golf in my early 20s. Jake gave me my first golf lesson. May John and his dad have many happy rounds of golf among the angels.
ANSWER to trivia question. Alan Ameche