Imagine a tournament that combines two of the most popular sports in San Diego’s GLBT community, along with, arguably, the most popular sport in America’s Finest City. That’s just what the San Diego Sports Summer Classic will do. The first-of-its-kind event is scheduled for June 21 and 22.

The classic will combine a softball tournament in Escondido, a tennis tournament at Balboa Park and a golf tournament at a new course in Carlsbad. Marketing whiz Stacey Hayashi founded the event.

No stranger to organizing successful GLBT sporting events, Hayashi has served as the co-commissioner of America’s Finest City Softball League (AFCSL), as well as the host city director for the Gay Softball World Series. She is also an avid tennis player and golfer.

Her desire to create this event stems partially from her passion for these sports, and partially out of her desire to add an element of altruism to the GLBT sports community.

“I created this event to further support GLBT sports and at the same time, be able to give back to our own community,” she said. Hayashi has selected Pets Are Wonderful Support San Diego (PAWS-SD), a nonprofit organization, which will benefit from any proceeds the event manages to raise.

PAWS provides essential services to assist the low-income elderly, chronically ill and disabled people in keeping their pets.

“I have a special affinity for PAWS,” Hayashi said, “because I know how important pets are to my life and if we can make a difference to people in need so they too can have companion pets, it’s worth it.”

In addition to their core mission, Hayashi explains PAWS’ efficiency also attracted her to the nonprofit.

“It’s not a big organization that has a lot of overhead costs, so they’re able to take the money they get and apply it directly to services,” she said.

Efficiency is something Hayashi respects. Because she is committed to providing the best sporting experience possible, her group has decided to limit the field of play in each sport offered at the tournament, creating an efficient use of time and energy on behalf of organizers and athletes alike.

Though entries will be limited, Hayashi expects nearly 500 athletes to compete in the sport of their choice during the inaugural weekend of the Summer Sports Classic.

The softball tournament is available only to C Division softball teams, and only 20 teams will be granted entry.

The tournament will follow the standard round-robin seeding format, followed by a double-elimination tournament. Games will be hosted at Escondido’s Kit Carson Park on both days of the tournament, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.

Team registration is only $375 per team and can be completed through the Web site.

The tennis tournament will be limited to the first 100 players who register for B, C or D divisions. Unfortunately, no A or Open division players will be included in the inaugural event, but Hayashi expects that to change next year.

Tournament play will commence at the Balboa Tennis Club on Upas Street.

Tennis will incorporate both singles and doubles play, with singles likely playing in the morning on Saturday, June 21 and doubles playing later that afternoon, depending on the number of doubles teams entering.

Registration is $30 per singles player, or $40 if that player is playing singles and doubles. Like most tennis tournaments, it is a single-elimination format.

The golf portion of the competition will also be limited to 100 players. Golfers will be divided into three competitive divisions based on handicap index. There will also be a fourth, non-competitive division for those wanting a more relaxed environment.

Golfers will compete on Sunday, June 22 at Carlsbad’s new The Crossings golf course, which Hayashi describes as a “premiere, championship course.”

Golfers will play 18 holes on a staggered, or shotgun, start. Early–bird registration is available on the tournament’s Web site and is $150.

Ken Pecus, of Ascent Real Estate, had already signed on as one of the first Premiere Level sponsors for the Summer Sports Classic.

Additional sponsors are welcome, however, and anyone interested can e-mail sponsorship@summersportsclassic.com.

The tournament’s Web site, www.summersportsclassic.com, should go live by Jan. 12.

For more information about PAWS-SD visit www.pawssdc.org.