DestinationFAY

The Fayetteville Fury — the name is the same for the men's and women's squads — began their inaugural season in late December 2021. Both teams are directed by the head coaches at Methodist University. Justin Terranova, who has coached the Methodist men for 20 years, is the Fury's men's coach, while Bryan Madej leads the women. Madej has been the head women's coach at Methodist since 2010. To see the team schedule or to purchase tickets (which gets you into both games), visit the team's website at fayettevillefury.com/ tickets. FAYETTEVILLE STINGERS A sixth professional sports franchise in Fayetteville debuted in March 2023. The Fayetteville Stingers are the newest members of The Basketball League, a professional minor league established in 2018. The league features former college players from NCAA Division I, II and III trying to get their pro careers started along with former pros from the U.S. and abroad. The Stingers are part of TBL's 16-team Eastern Conference and play a 24-game regular-season schedule. To keep up with the team's schedule, check the Stringers' Facebook page at facebook.com/ Fayettevillestingers or the TBL website at thebasketballleague.net/. FAYETTEVILLE CHUTES For those who prefer the purity of amateur sports, the Fayetteville Chutes feature college baseball players competing in the wooden-bat Old North State League in June and July at J.P. Riddle Stadium. The Old North State League is made up of 13 teams in cities across North Carolina that play a 30-game regular-season schedule. Each team has a collection of college players from around the country, some of whom are experiencing the use of wooden bats for the first time. Check the Chutes' website for game times and dates at oldnorthstateleague.com/ members/Fayetteville_Chutes/Fayetteville_ Chutes. FAYETTEVILLE MOTOR SPEEDWAY You can experience the roar of engines almost every weekend at the historic Fayetteville Motor Speedway just off Interstate 95 at 3407 Doc Bennett Road. Built in 1968, the track has seen the likes of NASCAR greats such as Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Bobby Allison compete there in years past. These days, the 3/8-mile dirt oval features races in a variety of classes each weekend and is a regular stop for the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series. For a schedule and ticket prices, check the speedway's website at fayettevillemotorspeedway.com/. GOLF Cumberland County is home to some of the state's finest golf courses. They include two designed by legendary course architect Donald Ross, one that launched careers of future professionals Raymond and Marlene Floyd, and another that's home to a popular annual celebrity fundraiser. Highland Country Club, located in the heart of Fayetteville, and Fort Liberty's Stryker Golf Course were constructed in the 1940s using Ross' distinctive designs. Ross, of course, also designed the historic Pinehurst No. 2 course that has been home to both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open championships. Stryker is open to the public, but you'll need to find a member to play at Highland, which is a private club. Built among scenic wetlands, horse pastures, lakes and streams, Cypress Lakes Golf Course was developed by prominent local teacher and pro L.B. Floyd. Floyd's children, Marlene and Raymond, both honed their games on the course, and Raymond produced four major victories on the PGA Tour, including the 1976 Master's title. Gates Four Golf & Country Club has hosted many amateur and professional events, but it may be best known as home for the annual Stars & Stripes Celebrity Invitational. The tournament, which has featured the likes of Lawrence Taylor and Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, raises money to support the military and first responders. King's Grant Golf & Country Club, which has an undulating layout; Baywood Golf Course; and Fort Liberty's Ryder Golf Course round out the golf options in Cumberland County. Opened in 1990, Baywood is the newest of the local courses. RUNNING Finally, for Cumberland County running enthusiasts, Fort Liberty sponsors the All American Half Marathon and 5K in March. The races start and end at the new Liberty Park on Fort Liberty, which is home to about 54,000 Army personnel. To register, go to the race website at liberty.armymwr.com/ programs/all-american-races. FAYE T TE VILLE CHUTES PH 0TO Faye eville Chutes The All American Half Marathon and 5K races returned to an in-person format on Fort Liberty in March 2023. PHOTO BY TONY WOOTEN 35 DestinationFAY 2023-2024

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