Workman gets in swing of things at East Lake

Rick Workman knew when he was 16 that teaching tennis would be his career.

Learning from his father, a coach at Frostburg State College in Maryland, Workman developed those skills and added his own twist to teaching through years of experience.

Stints in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles were combined with directorships in Boca Grande and Inverrary until Workman was selected by Club Corps of America to head the East Lake Woodlands Golf and Country Club tennis program.

Workman two weeks ago replaced Bob Butterfield, East Lake's director 10-plus years. When Workman took over, he immediately became immersed in the 12th annual Morton Plant Mease Memorial Day Tournament.

"It's been a whirlwind time, but things are progressing," Workman said. "Our vision at East Lake is simple: we want to be the place for tennis on the Gulf Coast. There is such a rich history here." Part of the tradition revolves around charity events such as the Morton Plant Mease tourney. It's coordinated by volunteers such as Trish Mainard, Sue Michelman and Cindy Corbett and East Lake's staff -- from Workman to Jake Bryan to the maintenance personnel.

With more than 260 entries in men's, women's and mixed doubles, the Memorial Day weekend was filled with action. Jane Robinson and Rachael Sanchez survived a challenge from teenagers Evangelina Soriano and Morgan Frank to win the women's open doubles, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5. Also battling to a three-set victory were Joyce Hall and Jill Colen (3.0 division).

Linda Thompson and Donna Roberts outlasted a stubborn Turtle Burton and Patti Prestera to win 4.0 doubles in two tie-break sets. Only Pam Dubov and Ginger Pfeiffer took a straight-set victory in 3.0.

Teaching pro Rafael Muzquiz and Adrian Pagani defeated teaching pro Curtis Ingram and junior player Nadim Naser 7-5, 6-2 in the men's open doubles. Also winning in straight sets were Mark Evans and Allen Sanchez (3.0) and Tom Wise and Michael Spall (3.5). Albert Alhadeff and Sam Tancredi won the 4.5 round robin.

In mixed doubles, the open champions were Kerri Goldberg and Crescent Oaks teaching pro Matt Kleber, Robin Meinrod and Jerry Kelly (4.0), Maria Macapagal and Jamie Steffens (3.5), and Amy and Rob Radel (3.0).

USA TITLE MATCHES: After a second-place finish in the USA Tennis Florida Sectional Championships last year, a state title was on the minds of the McMullen senior men's 4.0 players.

Although members ranged from Palm Harbor to Seminole and played out of Clearwater, their common goal was to win the local league, be prepared for the sectional and advance to the national tournament.

After taking the local competition 7-0 and defeating three playoff opponents, captain Wendall Walker's players readied themselves for the sectional in Naples. The McMullen members are Doug Godinho, Les Gustin, Jim McCook, Peter Viggiano, Franz Henikl, Eric Watson, Scott Chambers, Dave Heeder, Vic Vicander, Tom Spencer and Dino Shuniak.

Victories over Palm City, Delray Beach, Tallahassee and Punta Gorda advanced the team to a semifinal with Tampa. A 2-1 win on the play of Chambers and Heeder in the No. 1 position and Walker and Godinho at No. 2 placed McMullen in the final with Bradenton.

Walker and Godinho and Watson and Henikl posted victories. All nine players who competed (Shuniak, Spencer and Vicander were injured) won a pivotal match.

The national tourney is scheduled for Oct. 17-20 in Tucson, Ariz. A champion from each of the 17 USTA sections will battle for the crown.

Captain Pierce Kelley of Tarpon Springs and his senior men's 4.5 team will represent the Tampa area in the USA Senior League National Championships, Oct. 24-27 in Palm Springs, Calif. Oldsmar's Alex Deeb is a member of the squad.

RESULTS: Bruce Insana was among the K-Swiss winners in the spring playoffs. He defeated David King 6-4, 6-4 in the 3.5-minus final.

Clearwater's Marilyn Szymanski upset the No. 1 seed in the Sanlando May NTRP Designated Tournament to capture the 3.5 singles title. Jacki Simon was a 3.0 finalist. Philip Barlow played past the second, third and fifth seeds to reach the boys 14-and-under championship in the Pre-Summer Junior Super Series at East Lake Woodlands. Barlow upset No. 1 David Wolff of Sarasota 6-3, 6-3 for the crown. Barlow teamed with Tampa's Jeff D'Adamo to win the 14 doubles. Kara Kucin took the girls 10 title. Oldsmar's Alex Fisch won the boys 10 singles championship in the state-sanctioned Memories in Clearwater Tournament. Finalists included area players Kara Kucin (girls 10), Patrick Gleason (boys 18) and Anthony Barrancotta (10). Consolation winners included Yuri Kurashima (girls 18), Ariana Zayac (10), Haley Dodson (boys 18), Kyle Woodbury (14), Keegan Smith (12) and Zev Mandelker (10).

Last weekend's junior designated tournaments in south Florida resulted in No. 3 Morgan Basil winning the girls 10 division, No. 3 Kyle Kunnen finishing third in boys 10, Dodson and Fred Johnson reaching the boys 18 consolation quarterfinal, No. 1 George Navas making the 16 round of 16, and Nicholas Berning qualifying for the 14 quarterfinal. SUPER SENIORS: Beginning Friday, USA Tennis Florida Sectional Championships for competitors at least 60 will be played at Countryside Country Club and East Lake Woodlands. Representing the local league are teams from Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club (women's 4.0), Westin Innisbrook Resort (women's 3.5), Spring Hill (women's 3.0) and Phil Green Tennis Academy (men's 3.5).

THIS WEEKEND: Local USA League Tennis playoffs begin Saturday in the men's 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions. The matches will determine area teams for regional playoffs. The McMullen 3.0 squad, led by captain Dan Grimmer, has won its level among five teams to qualify for the July regional tournament. Phil Green Tennis Academy 5.0 was the only club in its class and will advance to the regional. In women's competition, Saturday concludes the regular season for 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 teams. Playoffs start June 8. McMullen's 4.5 squad has been declared the winner and will move on to regional play. Regional winners qualify for the state tourney and receive a shot at a national championships berth.

COMING UP: Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex will have a junior pizza party 4-6 p.m. Friday. The event, for youths 5-15, will include tennis games and round-robin play. The cost is $5. For information, call 669-1919. ... McMullen is having an adult social 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday. ... Westin Innisbrook Resort will have its second annual Summer Classic for adults June 21-23. Call (727) 942-5241 before June 18 to enter.

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