M AYO R A L M E S S A G E
It was a page-one moment: BigShots Golf, sitting astride Interstate 15 near Desert Color, was holding a groundbreaking event for their new venue. The climax of the occasion was the ceremonial tee shot of an exploding golf ball. Simple enough, right? I stood along a line of dignitaries selected to tee off and waited for the command. The count began: 5…4…3…2…1. We all swung. I whiffed. I swung a second time and missed the ball—again. Finally, on the third try, I was able to connect. I couldn’t hide the fact that I wasn’t a golfer. Apparently, that puts me in select company among our residents and visitors. Golf ’s popularity in St. George has surged. Did you know that the City of St. George courses—Dixie Red Hills, Sunbrook, St. George Golf Club, and Southgate Golf Club—hosted more rounds of golf in 2021 than ever before? Give it a try, and you will find a fun, affordable experience for players of all skill levels, even a beginner like me! Golf is just one of many recreational activities we are known for in St. George. As spring approaches, there are many awesome events on the horizon. St. George Races, part of the Leisure Services department, hosts the March Mayhem on March 12 and St. George Triathlon (formerly the SHAC Tri) on April 9, 2022. More information can be found at www.sgcity.org/races. The St. George Art Festival, long a staple of our community and a symbol of our burgeoning arts scene, is set for April 15 and 16, 2022. The Festival is a world-class, family-friendly event featuring thousands of original works of art, live entertainment on two stages, a vibrant children’s area, and all types of food. Typically, 30,000 residents and visitors from around the west converge on Historic Town Square during Easter weekend for the Art Festival. Find information at www.sgartfestival.com. Then, there is the first of two world championship races, the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship, set for May 7, 2022, in St. George. Why is this significant? For the first time ever, this full distance triathlon (140.6 miles) will have its world championship outside of Hawaii. Volunteers will be needed to help pull off this oncein-a-lifetime event. The atmosphere will be invigorating. Don’t forget that every day you can enjoy our high-quality walking and biking trails throughout the city. Consider trying the Mayor’s Loop, located at the Crosby Family Confluence Park (2099 S. Convention Center Drive). Whatever activity you choose, I promise you will not swing and miss.
Mayor, City of St. George 8 www.sghealthandwellnessmagazine.com
