BEST LOCAL PRO ATHLETE

Warrick Dunn

THE LOWDOWN: He may have been released by the Falcons (and promptly snatched up by Tampa Bay), but Dunn is still loved in the ATL. And why not? The Falcons’ leading rusher in each of the past four seasons, Dunn was beloved as much for his talents on the field as for his giving heart off of it: His Warrick Dunn Foundation its popular Homes for the Holidays program helped many struggling single parents to purchase their first homes. No doubt, Dunn’s left a lasting impact on the Atlanta community.
THE RUNNER-UP: Chipper Jones

BEST LOCAL COLLEGE ATHLETE

Knowshon Moreno

THE LOWDOWN: His enthusiastic playing style and infectious demeanor made the Georgia running back a favorite of many in the Bulldog nation last fall. The unanimous SEC Freshman of the Year and an all-SEC first team selection, Moreno finished last year with 1,334 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Having helped the Dawgs finish second nationally, big things are expected of this young man in his sophomore year.
THE RUNNER-UP: Matthew Stafford (UGA)

BEST LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE

Al-Farouq Aminu

THE LOWDOWN: One of the top prep basketball players in the country, the 6-foot-8 power forward led Norcross High to its third consecutive Class 5A state championship last fall. The Parade Magazine and McDonald’s All-American is bound for Wake Forest next year. Aminu has also been in the spotlight for not-so glowing reasons, having been arrested in late March along with two other Norcross athletes for allegedly shooting a woman with a BB gun.
THE RUNNER-UP: Kenny Miles (running back, Brookwood)

BEST LOCAL PRO COACH

Bobby Cox

THE LOWDOWN: When the Braves’ tireless manager—fourth all-time in MLB wins—set the new record for ejections from a game last August, it was a kind of testament to his passion for the sport to which he’s dedicated his life, and the team he’s guided to 14 consecutive division titles and a World Series win. Simply put, Cox lives and breathes baseball, and when he feels strongly about a call, he’ll darn sure let you know.
THE RUNNER-UP: Don Waddell (Atlanta Thrashers)

BEST LOCAL COLLEGE COACH

Mark Richt

THE LOWDOWN: The fourth winningest active football coach in the country, Richt (72-19 in seven seasons at Georgia) led the Bulldogs to blowout victories over rivals Florida and Auburn last year, and then a Sugar Bowl romp over Hawaii and a No. 2 national ranking. He was recently rewarded with an $800,000 raise, and this month will not only take 20 players on a mission trip to Honduras, but will join four other college coaches in visiting troops at U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Loved by Georgia players and fans alike, Richt has been pushing all the right buttons of late.
THE RUNNER-UP: Paul Johnson (Georgia Tech football)

BEST LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL COACH

Tim McFarlin

THE LOWDOWN: With one state title, two regional championships and a .706 winning percentage in 10 seasons as the head football coach at Roswell High, McFarlin surprised more than a few last month when he stepped down after 27 seasons (the first 17 as an assistant) at the school. He was instrumental in helping to improve the school’s facilities, implementing a marketing program to help finance his budget, all the while staying loyal by not bolting when other schools came with offers.
THE RUNNER-UP: Allen Whitehart (Centennial Boys’ basketball)

BEST LOCAL PRO TEAM

The Braves

THE LOWDOWN: Smoltz. Glavine. Chipper. Hudson. Francoeur. McCann. Teixeira. Escobar. Pound for pound, Atlanta’s roster can stand up to any in Major League Baseball. The current crop of Braves is as talented as any of the past 18 years. And if they can shake the injuries to the pitching staff that have dogged their heels so far this season, there’s no reason this team can’t bring home another World Series title.
THE RUNNER-UP: Atlanta Falcons

BEST LOCAL COLLEGE TEAM

Georgia Football

THE LOWDOWN: With seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters returning from an 11-2 team that was last seen pummeling Hawaii 41-10 in the Sugar Bowl, optimism is high in Athens for the upcoming season. The schedule is brutal, though, with tough road games at LSU, Auburn, South Carolina and Arizona State, plus home dates against Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia Tech—not to mention the annual grudge match with Florida in Jacksonville. Still, with talent all over the place and a top-ranked recruiting class coming in, the Bulldogs and their barking faithful are thinking national championship in 2008.
THE RUNNER-UP: Georgia Tech football

BEST LOCAL MASCOT

UGA VI

THE LOWDOWN: What’s not to love about the Bulldogs’ handsome representative? Other sports teams dress some guy up in, say, a bee costume, and that’s all fine and dandy. But nothing says “We’re as tenacious as bulldogs” as an actual, you know, bulldog. Besides, having presided over two SEC championships and two Sugar Bowl wins, the dude’s a good luck charm.
THE RUNNER-UP: Buzz (Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets)

BEST LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEAM

Marist High School

THE LOWDOWN: More like the entire War Eagle athletic program—Marist consistently ranks as one of the most prominent athletic powerhouses in the state. The DeKalb County Catholic private school has won the Georgia Director’s Cup (awarded to the best overall sports program sorted by class) every year since the creation of the award in 1999. A few years ago, Sports Illustrated ranked Marist No. 15 on its list of the best athletic programs in the country.
THE RUNNER-UP: Buford football

BEST BOWLING ALLEY

TEN PIN ALLEY

THE LOWDOWN: Probably the most creative of the L.A.-based Dolce Group concept imports (Dolce, Geisha House), Ten Pin offers a gorgeous space, complete with poker tables, private lanes, billiards, a fully stocked bar and sexy waitstaff. But be prepared to pay a steep price tag for all the West Coast hype—lanes are $80 per hour on weekends.
THE BASICS: 261 19th St. 404-872-3364. www.dolcegroup.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: 300 Atlanta

BEST PUBLIC GOLF COURSE

Bobby Jones Golf Course

THE LOWDOWN: Opened in 1932, this tree-lined course with renovated Bermuda greens is one of the city’s most affordable and popular courses. It rests in Buckhead on the same piece of property where the Battle of Peachtree, one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War, took place. The No. 9 tee box offers not only a blind tee shot over trees and water, but also a great view of the Atlanta skyline.
THE BASICS: 384 Woodward Way. 404-355-1009. www.bobbyjones.americangolf.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Stone Mountain Golf Club

BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSE

Cherokee Country Club

THE LOWDOWN: Located near the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs, this course offers secluded play that makes the golfer feel he’s miles from the city. The 18-hole South course is a par-71, 6,629-yard challenge, while the par-72 North course measures 6,941 yards at its longest. Both were originally opened in 1956 and feature Bermuda grass, with holes playing to many different shots and players.
THE BASICS: 665 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs. 770-993-4401. www.cherokeetcc.org.
THE RUNNER-UP: Augusta National Golf Club

BEST TENNIS COURTS

Bitsy Grant Tennis Center

THE LOWDOWN: Named after the great Atlanta tennis champ of the 1930s who played on three U.S. Davis Cup teams, the center features 12 hard and 12 clay surface courts at its facility, located next to Bobby Jones Golf Course. The courts are open to the public, and it’s not uncommon to witness players in their 80s enjoying the game they love. Clinics and round robin events are available at the center the city built in 1931.
THE BASICS: 2125 Northside Drive. 404-609-7193.
THE RUNNER-UP: Piedmont Park

BEST SPORTS VENUE

Turner Field

THE LOWDOWN: Simply put, there’s no better place to spend a spring evening or a breezy summer afternoon. From the world’s largest high-definition screen to the Chop House, from Monument Grove to Coca-Cola Sky Field, “the Ted” is hands-down one of the best ballparks in the country. And don’t forget the Tomahawk Team.
THE BASICS: 755 Hank Aaron Drive. 404-614-2311 (for tours). www.braves.com.
THE RUNNER-UP: Georgia Dome