FOLEY, Ala. — Since taking the helm of the executive director of sports in Foley last spring, Don Staley has been on the move. That is evidenced in the number of events committed to taking place here in the next two years.

In a recent news conference at Graham Creek Nature Preserve, Stately announced that six events are planned in 2015 and the same number in 2016.

The first one is Teen Master’s Tournament slated for March 2015 at Gulf Bowl and presented by the Colorado-based Killter B Promotions.

Five months later, the USLMRA will bring its sanctioned lawn-mower racing event to the Foley Horse Arena Aug. 22-23.

Then in November, three events are planned. They include Powerman USA Duathalon Series, the Atlanta-based Copperhead Lacross and the American Cornhole Association’s cornhole event.

Additionally in the upcoming year, SNAP Soccer has committed to begin hosting events in Foley.

Events planned for 2016 begin in March will the Alabama State Optional Championships presented by the Bama Bounders gymnastics program.

That same month, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America will bring three events to the city.

Also scheduled for 2016 are Gulf Coast Region Volleyball events and three tournaments presented by the Alabama Soccer Assocation.

Staley has also looked further into the future. He announced that the NICAA Gulf Championships plans a site visit to Foley in 2018.

“The purpose of this corporation is to promote and foster junior college athletics on intersectional and national levels,” he said, “so that results will be consistent with the total educational program of its members.”

But that’s not all Staley has in the works. He announced that plans are underway to begin construction on a new foot golf course this January in order to host foot golf events.

So what is foot golf?

“It’s soccer on a golf course,” Staley said, explaining that the sport’s objective is to get soccer balls into golf-style holes large enough to fit them.

Staley cited aggressive marketing strategies and the city of Foley’s planned Sports Tourism Complex and Events Center, set to be housed at the intersection of Foley Beach Express and County Road 20, as contributing factors in the successful commitment of these events.

“Due to the positive feedback about our new mega sports and entertainment venture here in Foley, event right holders, national governing bodies and sports organizations from around the country who we have met with at our trade shows and conferences have expressed significant interest in partnering with us upon completion of this incredible project,” he said. “In fact, the excitement is so overwhelming we are looking to expand our sports fields from 13 to 16 in order to bid on larger events that need 14 to16 fields. As we await going vertical on the event center and sprigging of the fields, our expectation is that the positive momentum will only continue to grow.”

In addition, Staley estimated these coming events should have an economic impact of $3.5 million on Foley.

“Where Foley is going, I’m glad to be a part of that,” he said.