With the addition of two courts at the new downtown ACAC and a planned five-court facility at St. Anne’s-Belfield, the sport that originated in England appears to be on the rise among area players of all ages.

They’ve been here several times before, Championship Sunday, but have struggled to close the deal. Today brings another chance.

An incoming freshman on the University of Richmond’s golf team, Austin will walk onto the tee box at Birdwood Golf Course this afternoon with a two-shot lead in the annual Jefferson Cup, with a parade of grizzled veterans and young lions nipping at his soft spikes.

Two-time champion and 2008 runner-up Cindy Thompson fired a two-over 72 to secure the top spot on the leader board after Saturday’s opening round of the Reines Jewelers Ladies Championship at Meadow-creek Golf Course.

Eighteen-year-old Nick Austin fired a 6-under 66 in grand fashion to lead the way after the first round of the 2009 Jefferson Cup tournament at Birdwood Golf Club.

When all was said and done, Meechai Padungsiriseth used a birdie on final hole of the tournament to propel him to victory in the boys division. Paveenuch Sritragul secured her place atop the standings in the girls division for the third day in a row on her way to her first AJGA event win.

On a day when Street Soccer CVL celebrated its recent success, the team’s unofficial spokesperson was nowhere to be seen. And his coach wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thailand’s Paveenuch Sritragul holds a decisive advantage in the girls’ division heading into this morning’s final, while Julian Taylor of Greenville, S.C., has a slim lead over a handful of competitors in the boys’ division.

This past season, Kasie was a member of the Northside Little League’s 9-10 year-old Indians team, the youngest in the division.

The McIntire Little League 11-12 All-Stars’ remarkable run to the Virginia state tournament came to an end in the championship game Wednesday night, as the Chantilly American Little League All-Stars cruised to an 11-1 victory.

Fairview Swim Club emerged as the overall champion of the 2009 Jefferson Swim League Championships at the University of Virginia Aquatics and Fitness Center, which concluded on Saturday evening.

Swarms of local swimmers will create a circus-like feel at Virginia’s Aquatic and Fitness Center today and Saturday as the Jefferson Swim League holds its annual championship meet.

It’s a two-horse race for the 19th annual Battle Trophy, symbolic of the Central Virginia Amateur Golfer of the Year, heading into the competition’s final event of the season, next month’s Jefferson Cup at Birdwood.

While it’s not a multi-week marathon like the Tour de France, Sunday’s Walnut Creek Chimney Chase at Walnut Creek Park did its part to bring cycling to the forefront in Central Virginia.

On Sunday, Eklund can sleep easy knowing that he hit on every opportunity. He shot a 5-under 65 to win the tournament by four strokes.

So far, so good for Kane, who followed up his even-par 70 first round with a 5-under 65 on Saturday to earn a share of first place.

He did that and more — Ferguson leads the 90-player field heading into today’s second round, having shot a 4-under 66.

Gaskins is one of many local youths who have taken advantage of a top-notch grassroots programs in the region: Charlottesville’s Jefferson Tennis League.

Mikey Moyers of Stanardsville and Jerry Burton of Charlottesville were each eliminated in Thursday’s second round of match play at Cedar Point Country Club.

Mikey Moyers and Brinson Paolini showed that being 18 years old means that you’re just too young to be tired.

On Thursday, it was Covenant’s Chris Leibl that was presented with this year’s silver piece, as the Greene Hills member rallied on the back nine for a come-from-behind victory over a couple of close friends.

A field of 37 aspiring golfers from across Central Virginia will compete in today’s 20th Annual Reines Jewelers Charlottesville Junior Golf Championship at Meadowcreek Golf Course.

McIntire Little League regular season champion Craig Builders put together a couple of huge innings offensively to hold off Central champ Kiwanis Club and win its second straight Charlottesville City title, 13-5, at Pen Park on Monday.

Dustin Groves’ dramatic win in last Sunday’s Cannon Cup may have been one of a kind in Central Virginia golf.

Burton’s putt slipped just past the hole, ending the match and giving him a second straight runner-up trophy in the second annual Cannon Cup tournament.

So, don’t be surprised if the final group of the day (tees off at approximately 2 p.m.) of Jerry Burton, Fielding Brewbaker and Matthew Neely is all decked out in purple. All three fired 3-under par 69s in the opening round of play following Friday’s washout.

Decker, considered the top amateur in the state over the past decade, heads the 96-man field for the 2nd annual Cannon Cup at Spring Creek beginning today.

The leader in the Battle Trophy race halfway through this year’s competition won’t be hanging around to try for a three-peat.

Dan Hosek, of slight build, joked that the Farmington sports coat that is traditionally presented ala The Masters style, was a “little big.”

The questionable strategy was good enough to keep Kane in contention for today’s final round of one of the state’s oldest golf tournaments, one shot off the lead.