corporate madness

I've lived in a handful of cities in my life, but traveled quite a bit and I've never come across a series of events quite like these.

I think they are fun and in good-spirit which is nice to see. I'm glad this event has seemed to survive so far in our less-than-stellar economy. Hope I just didn't jinx them.

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No stuffiness about these Corporate Games

By Rebecca Wicks

Apr. 21, 2010

Ventura Breeze

This year, more than 66 companies are facing off at the 21^st annual Corporate Games. Put on by the City of Ventura, events range from the traditional softball and 5K run to those sports less covered by ESPN including dominos, Texas Hold’em and Frisbee golf.

According to city event planners the six-week competition which ends May 15 is designed for companies to get outside and to get to know each other.

This year’s games include 29 different sports. Rowing is this year’s demonstration event.

“We had 16 companies compete [in rowing] this year with four other companies on a waiting list,” said Chip Tarleton a supervisor for the City of Ventura. “It will probably be a full event next year.”

Scott Powers, a four-year veteran of the Games will be competing in tennis, badminton and table tennis.

“The games are very well organized by the City and allow for a respectable level of competition without going overboard,” said Powers a budget analyst for the County of Ventura. “The atmosphere created allows for people to partake in a sport that may not be in one’s comfort zone but seems fun and entertaining to try.”

Powers who considers himself a novice at tennis will, in his first match, play one of the finalists who competed in the gold medal match last year.

“I am completely overmatched,” said Powers who was able to keep a sense of humor about the impending match. “The game starts at 8 a.m. and I plan on being home for breakfast that morning.”

The Games opening event reception took place earlier this month at the Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo where a mix of sponsors, city officials and some participants mingled.

While sports like basketball, soccer and surfing are all part of the Games, the most popular games may better reflect the prevailing attitude of having fun. According to Tarleton, the most popular sport this year is bowling with 75 teams entered followed by miniature golf where 59 teams are registered. The next three most popular sports: board games including spades, dominos and Texas Hold’em; billiards and finally bocce ball which was last year’s demonstration sport.

Competition is divided into divisions based on the size of each company. After the first week of competition in the Division A category Naval Base Ventura County was in the lead with the County of Ventura in second and Amgen in third. In Division B Nusil Technology edged out Patagonia for the number one spot by one point, with Proctor & Gamble in third.

In Division C Northrop Grumman stood in first place with Dairy Farmers of America and Dako following. In Division D Limoneria was in the lead with Crescendo Interactive in second and Calavo Growers in third.

Tammy Butterworth, a management assistant for the watershed protection district has been competing in volleyball since 2002. She says meeting new people and the memories are both great aspects about the Games.

“My best memory is when our women’s beach volleyball team won first place against the Navy one year,” said Butterworth. “It was a great feeling.”

On Apr. 17 participants joined an Earth day beach cleanup event which also honored Jacob Dole Prosbasco, a former city of Ventura employee who competed in the games and passed away in 2008.

The Games conclude on May 15 with closing ceremonies events at San Buenaventura State Beach. Events for the day include the mandatory tug-of-war contest, live music, a sandcastle contest and award ceremonies.