It’s been a tough year for sports fans, what with bubbles, no in-arena audience and erratic schedules. These gifts can help take the edge off.
The coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on the sports world – games are still being played, but the absence of fans, the lifeblood of any live event, is reinforced with each touchdown, dunk, and shorthanded goal. Fear not, the holiday season is ripe with opportunities to satisfy the sports lover in your life.
■ Solheim Cup Tickets
The best women’s golfers in the world will descend on Toledo and Inverness Club Labor Day weekend for the Solheim Cup, pitting America against Europe in a thrilling three-day match play tournament. Weekly grounds tickets cost $175. Daily grounds tickets are $45 for practice rounds and $75 for tournaments rounds. Juniors (17 and younger) are admitted free of charge with a ticketed adult during practice rounds. Daily junior tickets are $20 for tournament rounds. A weekly junior ticket is $50. SolheimCupUSA.com, ticket prices vary.
■ Walleye/Mud Hens Masks
No fashion item has become a bigger necessity in 2020 than a mask. And not just a plain one. People seek out bright, bold designs. How about a Walleye mask featuring Cattrick or a Mud Hens mask with everyone’s favorite American coots Muddy and Muddonna? Five designs are available, as well as a Walleye neck gaiter. Swamp Shop, 406 Washington St., masks begin at $14.95, neck gaiters are $12.95.
■ Sports Cards
There’s no feeling quite like possessing something valuable. How does that translate to sports? Cards, of course. Laramie and Sons offers a smorgasbord of sports cards, an item of interest for a fan of any sport. Laramie and Sons Sports Cards, Collectibles, and Supplies, 6847 Angola Road; prices vary.
■ Swamp Shop shirts and hats
Northwest Ohio is overflowing with Walleye and Mud Hens fans, so get that special someone a shirt, hat or jersey. The Swamp Shop is offering free shipping until Dec. 16. They have a wide variety of merchandise for Toledo’s minor league hockey and baseball teams. Swamp Shop, 406 Washington St., shirts start at $15, hats start at $14.95; jerseys start at $74.95.
■ Hockey Stick Snow Brush
An unfortunate reality of living in northwest Ohio is snow during wintertime – there is no escaping it. So why not make clearing your car off fun? With a hockey stick snow brush, getting rid of the white stuff takes on added excitement. The brushes, made with real hockey sticks, allow someone to practice a slap shot or one-timer with the cold, fluffy snow playing the part of a puck. UncommonGoods.com, hockey stick snow brush $25.
First Published November 30, 2020, 1:27 p.m.
