McMullen event offers something for everyone

The American Cancer Society fundraiser this weekend at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Center isn't just for players.

There's tennis, of course. But a silent auction is guaranteed to showcase some special items that even a non-player will covet, said event chair Cindy Cooper.

Whether it's the tennis -- men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles -- or the auction, the activities are focused on raising money to help conquer something that has touched many.

"So many people have been affected in some way or other by cancer, either having it themselves or knowing someone who is battling it," Cooper said.

"The volunteers this year happen to all be tennis players so they are partial to this type of fundraiser," she said, "but besides that, many have been touched by cancer in some way."

The tournament draw was unveiled Wednesday night at Belleair Country Club, but some slots may be open for late entries. Director Tomas Ollestad promises to fit in as many teams as possible without re-doing the original draw.

Assisting Cooper in planning the 19th ACS tourney are veteran volunteers Merle Dennard, Myrna Smith, Carol Glenn, Denise Bibeau-Reaves and Ward Johansen.

Committee newcomers are Holly Loy, Mary Miller, Claudia Mitchell, Jackie Simon, Kiki Jacobsen, Debbie Weber, Janet Whitney, Judy Foster, Judy and Pat Siracusa, Tom Walbolt and Brian Craig. Debbie Kroeger is an honorary committee member.

Bidding for the auction began at the draw party and will continue through 4 p.m. Saturday. It isn't necessary to be present to qualify for any item, nor is it required that a bidder be a player.

"There are tennis racquets, dinner certificates and gift baskets, just to name a few (auction items)," Cooper said. "There will also be a Derek Jeter-autographed baseball and a bat that Fred McGriff has signed."

In the tournament's 18 years, more than $200,000 has been raised through player fees, donations and sponsors. Approximately 95 percent of the money is directed toward community programs and research, with the majority remaining in Pinellas County. For information, call 669-1919.

TEAM CLASSIC: The third annual Time Warner Mixed Doubles Team Tennis Classic consisted of 18 squads of three mixed teams. While more than 100 players battled for honors, fees, donations and sponsorships raised about $16,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Suncoast. The money was directed to the Jasmine Courts in Clearwater.

The winning squad represented Crescent Oaks and was sponsored by Raymond James.

Led by Crescent Oaks teaching professional Matt Kleber -- who paired with Shari Therialt in the No. 1 position, Kerri Goldberg and Dave Hubbard at No. 2 and Rosie Pappas and DeClan Mansfield at No. 3 -- the north-county club beat the team Glenn, Berg and Blenner 16-13 in the final. Suncoast Bay Properties, with squads of Vicky Graber and Adrian Pagani, Jill and Larry Jackson and Paula Sever and Woody Woodbury, defeated Advantage Yours 24-14 in the consolation championship.

SENIOR LEAGUE: Saturday's matches in the men's 3.5 and 4.0 divisions will determine champions and state qualifiers.

In 3.5 action, the Racquet Club eliminated Phil Green Tennis Academy 2-1 in a semifinal last weekend, and East Lake Woodlands downed Royal Racquet Club by the same score.

Sandy Plevin and Steve Squitiro collected East Lake's first point against Royal, and Buzz Cooper and John Arnold posted a victory. The deciding match went the limit, with East Lake's Dean Springer and Ray Jergens outlasting Dan Ryan and Peter Lewis in three sets.

Against the Racquet Club, Ed McGinley and Skip Parker earned PGTA's only point.

In a 4.0 round-robin playoff, Seminole Lake Tennis Center defeated the Vinoy 3-0 with straight-set wins from Ron Klieve and Mauro Rodriguez at No. 1 and John Beda and Larry Daum. Tim Kahle and Harold Kligman played to a three-set victory. McMullen's 4.0 squad defeated East Lake 3-0 with the play of Scott Chambers and Dave Heeder in No. 1, Wendall Walker and Doug Godinho and Eric Watson and Franz Henikl.

Saturday, Seminole hosts McMullen in the final 4.0 playoff, and East Lake entertains the Racquet Club in the 3.5 final match. Winners advance to the state tournament, scheduled for mid-May.

Clinching division titles last weekend were Westin Innisbrook Resort's 3.5 women's team and Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club's 4.0 women's squad.

Innisbrook recorded a 3-0 victory over Bardmoor on the performances of Debbie McGinley and Maureen Sternberg at No. 1, Cheryl Cravener and Reme Johnson and Josie Doucette and Anne Hammond.

Rounding out the undefeated team are Joan Holland, Phyllis Gary, Sue Luidens, Bonny Boosales, Kay Fitzpatrick and Judy Murphy.

Treasure Island was 9-1 in the regular season.

MIXED LEAGUE: With just a few weeks remaining in USA Tennis Florida mixed doubles leagues, the PGTA is first among 8.5 senior teams and Royal Racquet Club is unbeaten in the 7.5 senior division.

In the adult class, McMullen is 9-0 in 8.5 competition, and two Bardmoor squads are challenging for first in 7.5.

With no local competition, Innisbrook's 6.5 seniors automatically advance to the state tournament.

NET NOTES: Nicholas Berning and Stephen Segura captured singles titles in the TPA Winter Challenge in St. Petersburg.

Berning scored a three-set win over Phillip Barlow in the boys 14-and-under division, and Segura won the 16 competition 6-4, 7-5.

Belleair's Monica Sly was a finalist in girls 16, and Amanda Becker won the 16 consolation draw.

Bill Christensen outlasted Reinaldo Valor 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in the men's 55-and-older final of last weekend's Super Seniors Designated Championships in St. Petersburg.

Terry Tetzlaff and Chip Gamble won the 55 and 60 consolation, respectively. Daigo Sakurai was a finalist in open singles, as was Alex Deeb in the 45 class. Deeb teamed with Subir Mukerjee to win the 45 doubles crown.

In last week's USTA National Open Championships at various sites, Goran Dragicevic won the boys 18 title.

Reaching the round of 16 were Jennifer Dent (girls 18), Bugsy Bauer (16) and Ryan Buchanan (boys 16).

COMING UP: Super Seniors 2002 begins Monday at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club for men 55-90 in singles and doubles. For information, call Al Sarmiento, 367-5479. ... The Spring Adult Classic is March 1-3 at East Lake Woodlands. Men's and women's singles and doubles in open competition are scheduled. Call Bob Butterfield, (727) 785-2212. ... Seminole Lake Tennis Center will have its Super Seniors Invitational on March 5-11. Call 394-1733. ... Competition in the Good Life Games is March 11-16 at Southwest Recreation Complex in Largo. Register for age-division singles, doubles and mixed by Saturday. Call 518-3200.

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