Sportswiter, screenwriter and author Frank Deford spoke at the Westport Public Library today as part of its authors@the library series. Afteward he signed copies of his new book “The Entitled,” a novel that tells the story of the relationship between a star baseball player and his manager. Deford and his wife, Carol, live in Fairfield. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com

Parks and Recreation Chairman Richard Kestenbaum (f-b), Golf Professional John Cooper, course architect John Harvey and Golf Advisory Board Chairman Fred Hunter take the first shots of the reopened Longshore Golf Course during a ceremony today. Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.comBy Jennifer Connic

With the swing of a golf club, the golf course at Westport’s Longshore Club Park officially reopened this morning.

It was the culmination of a two-year, $2.3 million renovation to the golf course that to increased tee space and improved the greens, renovated the existing bunkers and reviewed and improved the strategy to play the course.

Workers have been spending the last few weeks finishing the work to the golf course while golfers played this spring (See WestportNow April 26). Workers were continuing work today as activities celebrating the reopening took place.

“Longshore is a jewel in the community,” said Richard Kestenbaum, Parks and Recreation Commission chairman. “With the renovations it’s sparkling more.”

The Sportsmen of Westport will host its 46th annual Dinner of Champions Tuesday, May 22, at 6 p.m. at Continental Manor in Norwalk.

There will be a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m. with a full sit-down prime rib dinner to follow which includes an open bar. Tickets are $45.

The honorees include Mark Cizynski, Ric Rader, Win Headley, Stefanie Goettsche, Michael Calise, Dominick Calise (Sportsmen Awards), Saul Pollack (Coaching Award), Sandy Forehand (Citizenship Award), Carmen Roda (PAL Award), and Carol Bieling (William A. Krause Jr. Humanitarian Award).

Tickets can be purchased at: Settles and Traders Real Estate, Westport office, 215 Post Road West; Junior’s Hot Dog Stand, 265 Riverside Ave.; The Red Barn, 292 Wilton Road, or Staples High School, contact Karen DeFelice at (203)341-1365.

By Madeleine Roche

The Staples varsity boys volleyball team tonight defeated archrival Trumbull 3-1. The win improved the Wreckers to 10-0 for the season.
Staples improved to 10-0 on the season with tonight’s victory over archrival Trumbull at Trumbull. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lauren Siegert/staplesvolleyball.com

The match at Trumbull went to a fourth game, which Staples dominated with a score of 25-14. They had won the first game, lost the second, clinched the third and then completely controlled the fourth.

Many spikes and kills were made by hitters Will Richardson, Ben King, Ari Sinay, Charlie Wieser, Jackson Lesser, and Peter Hlawitschka. 

All of the assists were made by setters Austin Seigert and Peter Hlawitschka.

The Westport Girls Softball League opened its season Monday with First Selectman Gordon Joseloff throwing out the first pitch on a ballfield behind Westport Town Hall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Matthew Mandell for WestportNow.com

Westport Police Chief Al Fiore welcomes athletes to today’s Special Olympics track and swim meet at Staples High School. The Westport Police Athletic League was among the event’s sponsors. Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff also addressed the opening ceremony. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Participants in today’s spring invitational track and swim meet at Staples High School carry the torch in to the field house. The event was sponsored by the Westaport Police Athletic League, CLASP Westport, and the Special Olympics of Connecticut Southwest Region. In addition to athletes from Westport, there were entrants from groups in Darien, Fairfield, Ridgefield and Stratford. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Former New York Mets pitcher Jerry Koosman signs a baseball for Westporter Peter Bradshaw, 11, Sunday at Legends of the Game in Westport. Koosman pitched with the Mets from 1967-80, and he had two 20-win seasons. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com