Tournament's experiment is a success

The third annual Time Warner Mixed Doubles Team Tennis Classic included 18 squads of three mixed doubles teams challenging for bragging rights.

Hosted by McMullen Tennis Center in Clearwater, players from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs battled in the two-day event last weekend. The tournament had 100-plus competitors and was a fund raiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. Nearly $16,000 was raised for the Jasmine Courts.

"We tried something different this year in forming the teams," event organizer Tom Spencer said. "We allowed a whole team to enter.

"The first year, we put teams together as individuals entered. Last year, we paired up teams at the draw party so no one knew what team they were on until the party with the sponsors.

"We also thought that with allowing whole teams to enter this year, we would get some clubs to enter," he said.

Seminole Lake Tennis Center and Crescent Oaks entered teams.

The Seminole squad, sponsored by Day for Our Children, reached the semifinal round. Crescent Oaks, sponsored by Raymond James, eliminated Seminole and was the overall winner. Scores were determined by the total games won by each of the three positions in a pro-set match.

Seminole's team included Jennifer Dent and Marg Foster playing the A position, Lisa Moyers and Manny Duvall in B, and Cathy Manning and Jim Slaugenhoupt in C.

In the final, the Crescent Oaks defeated the Glenn, Berg and Blenner squad 16-13.

In consolation competition, last year's winner, Suncoast Bay Properties, defeated Advantage Yours 24-14. Suncoast members included Vicky Graber and Adrian Pagani on the A team, Jill and Larry Jackson on B and Paula Sever and Woody Woodbury on C.

"I think everyone had a good time and got plenty of tennis play," Spencer said. "I think the team tennis concept has caught on.

"It was actually Jim Dunne and myself that came up with the idea for this format about three years ago. We wanted a team tennis tournament and thought since we're holding it around Valentine's Day, mixed doubles would be the appropriate format.

"Each year we learn a little more," Spencer said, "and I think it gets better each year."

SENIOR PLAYOFFS: Winners in the first round in the men's doubles league included the Racquet Club, Phil Green Tennis Academy and East Lake Woodlands (3.5 division) and Seminole Lake Tennis Center and McMullen Tennis Center (4.0).

Scoring straight-set wins for the Racquet Club over Feather Sound Country Club were Steve Uebel and Tony Damouny in the No. 1 position, Ray Cianci and Tom Stewart and Bob Steele and Don Campagna. "We've got a tough match coming up Saturday against the Phil Green team," Uebel said, "but we did beat them 2-1 last year in the playoffs. Hopefully, the home court advantage will be with us."

Seminole winners over East Lake Woodlands were Ron Klieve and Mauro Rodriguez in No. 1, Leo Leonardi and Larry Daumand Harold Kligman and Tim Kahle. "This was a good win, but we need to win two more in this round-robin format," Seminole captain Red McGarry said. "Our third and final match is with McMullen, who has the same record as us and the same number of sets lost.

"First, though, before we think too far ahead, we've got to play the Vinoy," he said. "You never know the outcome in a tennis match, and especially when it comes to a playoff situation."

Saturday, the Racquet Club plays host to PGTA and Seminole entertains the Vinoy.

JUNIORS: Players in this weekend's USTA National Open Championships include Bugsy Bauer, Amanda Becker and Monica Sly in the girls 16-and-under at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club; Nicholas Berning in boys 14 at Lutz's Cheval Polo and Golf Club; Ryan Buchanan in boys 16 in Orlando; and Kelly Nelson, Jennifer Dent, Erin Heeder and Kaela Kennedy in girls 18 at Arbor Greene Community Center in Tampa.

SOUTH PINELLAS: Up to today's action in the South Pinellas Ladies Doubles League, the St. Petersburg Country Club Aces and Shipwatch's A teams are tied for first-place among nine squads in the 3.5-4.0 division.

Shipwatch C is first in 3.0-3.5. In the South Pinellas Men's Doubles League, seven teams in the 3.5-4.0 division began competition this month. Five squads are entered in 3.0-3.5.

NET NOTES: Garrett Betsarakis upset top-seeded Alex Peckham to win the boys 10-and-under division in the TPA Winter Challenge last weekend.

Nicholas Berning reached the boys 14 final and will play Phillip Barlow for the title.

Amanda Becker won the girls 16 consolation. Lindsay Dvorak made it to the 12 consolation final and faces Elissa Rizzi of Longwood.

Bob Meyerdierks defended his top seed among the 75-and-over challengers in the Super Senior Tournament in Bradenton this month.

Meyerdierks teamed with Jim Mackey to win the 75 doubles. Tom Avirett and Don Wray won in the 80 division.

Bud Steckman and William Gatlin took the 75 and 70 consolation draws, respectively.

Through Sunday at St. Petersburg Tennis Center, super seniors are battling for singles and doubles championships.

Among the local seeded players are Meyerdierks, No. 1 in the 75-and-over class; and Ed Hamilton, No. 2 in the 60 division.

COMING UP: The Golf and Tennis Free for All is Saturday at Treasure Island Golf, Tennis and Recreation Center. Golf is 10 a.m.-noon. Phil Girardi offers an afternoon of tennis clinics 1-3 p.m. For information, call the center, 360-6062. ... Shipwatch Tennis Club is having an open house to highlight its new clubhouse Saturday. A singles exhibition between Shipwatch head pro Drew Wager and Jeff Chambers, Florida's No. 1 player in the 35-and-over division, is scheduled for 11 a.m. In the event of rain, the open house will be rescheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 586-6862. ... The Super Senior Championships begin Monday at St. Petersburg Country Club. For information, call Sam Vuille, 867-9105.

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