The Power of Sports
Tournaments are serious business for the Florence (S.C.) Area Sports Council. Girls’ fast-pitch softball, boys’ baseball, men’s slow-pitch softball, youth and adult tennis, summer collegiate baseball and even canine agility…they start in March and run through October with championships aplenty to cap it off. They deliver a huge economic impact.
Florence hosts so many successful sports events because of its quality facilities. Freedom Florence Recreation Complex has been noted as one of the premier sports complexes in the country. The 2011 season there involved 24 tournaments, including Dixie Youth Softball State Tournament and the Dixie Youth Baseball Coach Pitch Regional.
The Florence Tennis Association, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization of 510 members, was named the U.S. Tennis Association’s Community Tennis Association of the Year for 2007. The group conducted nine major tournaments, and the new 30-court complex is hosting the USTA SC State Mixed Doubles Tournament for the years 2011-13.
RedWolves baseball is celebrating their 14th season in Florence. They participate in the Coastal Plain League, which is composed of 15 teams playing in a summer collegiate wooden bat league. In 2007, the team hosted the CPL Petitt Cup Championship Tournament, a week-long event.
And what would tournaments and championship events be without grand opening ceremonies and gala banquets? That’s the job of the Florence Civic Center, where many of these special events are held. The 10,000-seat arena is perfect for opening ceremonies, and 50,000 square feet of multi-purpose space is excellent for sports conventions. A new, luxurious ballroom and renovated meeting rooms are perfect for banquets.
