Women's doubles action begins in earnest this week

Women's weekly doubles leagues are gearing up.

The Satellite Ladies Doubles League began Tuesday. Westin Inninsbrook Resort met Seminole Lake Tennis Center. Thursday, Innisbrook plays a Safety Harbor Spa team in a Pinellas Area Doubles League opener. Since it entered the Satellite league seven years ago, Innisbrook has won four times, finished fourth in 1998 and second the last two years.

"We have some new players and new combinations, as well as some longtime partnerships on the team," Anne Hammond said.

"We've finished second to Feather Sound now the last two years, and it's time for us to get the championship back."

Hammond and Marie Hanff are the No. 1 team for Innisbrook, Melanie Nyman and Betsy Wunderlich No. 2, Debbie McGinley and Maureen Sternberg No. 3 and Cheryl Cravener and Judy Murphy No. 4. Florida Good Life Games 2000 gold medalists Phyllis Gary and Joan Holland are the No. 5 team, Terri Lyman and Dale Slive No. 6, Bonny Boosales and Josie Doucette No. 7 and Kay Fitzpatrick and Marilyn Linker No. 8.

Innisbrook's PADL squad retained its No. 1 team of Ria Graham and Kay Clark, added new teams at No. 2 and No. 3 and is anchored by longtime partners Hammond and Doucette at No. 4 and Boosales and Sue Luidens at No. 5.

Gary is teaming with Reme Johnson at No. 3 and newcomers Sherl Ahrens and Judy Warner are at No. 2.

Cravener and McGinley are also playing in the PADL for a Safety Harbor Spa team.

NET SHOTS: The Back to School Championships last month at the Arbor Greene Fitness and Athletic Club included more than 100 junior singles players. Winners included Wesley Chapel's Yumi Hasegawa in the girls 18 and Yoji Masuoka in the boys 18; Tampa's Racquel Hylton in the girls 12 and Alex Bartholomew in the boys 12; Largo's Kollin Woodbury in the boys 10 and Indian Shores' Philip Barlow in the boys 16. Kimble McKay of Lutz won the boys 14 consolation.

UMPIRES AT THE OPEN: Among the more than 300 umpires officiating at the U.S. Open in New York are Steve Ullrich and his wife Anne Lassere-Ullrich of Tampa, Roger White of Belleair Beach and Matt Fox of St. Petersburg.

HOLIDAY LEAGUES: Registration for the Holiday Complex fall leagues continues through Sunday. Leagues offered are Friday night mixed doubles, men's and women's singles and Thursday morning women's doubles. An organizational meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Friday. League play begins the following week. For details, call Donna French, (727) 934-4198.

MARK THE DATE: State championships in boys and girls doubles and mixed doubles are Sept. 21-23 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Information and entry forms are available at www.usatennisflorida.com or by calling Bobby Curtis, (386) 671-8949, before the Sept. 16 deadline.

COMING UP: East Lake Woodlands will host a Rookie Tournament for junior singles players Sept. 14-15. Call tournament director Rick Workman, (727) 785-2212. ... The Charity Tennis Tournament to benefit the Humane Society of North Pinellas is Sept. 13-15 at the Royal Racquet Club. The event includes men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles. Call (727) 791-8415. ... The K-Swiss Tennis League begins its fall season this month. For information, call (727) 865-0615 or visit www.ultimatetennis.com.

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