Zephyrhills president is avid leader

Peter Burgoyne discovered the Zephyrhills Tennis Association three years ago when he moved to Dade City.

Last month, Burgoyne was selected president of the organization.

"When we moved up here from the gulf beaches, I began tracking down places to play," Burgoyne said. "At first, I couldn't find anything, and, coming from the Shipwatch Tennis Club in Largo, I was used to club and USTA league play.

"As far as being selected president, there was a gap in the organization and when I was asked to help, I offered to fill it."

Last year, the ZTA was shocked by the death of its president, Barry Roades. Although others have stepped up, there has been a void in the organization, Burgoyne said.

Burgoyne played tennis when he was young, but growing up in Great Britain, cricket and rugby were his more serious games.

"When I came to the United States in 1965, I began to play more (tennis)," Burgoyne said. "Of course, as you get older, it's a little more difficult to play cricket and rugby.

"Now that I'm retired and 72, I keep playing tennis because of the wonderful camaraderie and all the people you meet."

Burgoyne plays singles, doubles and mixed doubles and thinks the ZTA has a good mix of players.

"We have between 100 and 150 members, with most of those during the winter months," Burgoyne said. "Players provide a good assortment of characters, backgrounds and playing levels."

Burgoyne and board members Dot Worrell, Joe McGovern, Ruth Marzolf, Jean Stallcup, Roy Nyren and Wanda Hargus are busy planning this weekend's Barry Roades Memorial Tournament. Scheduled to be staged at the McCannon Courts in Zephyr Park, the tournament includes singles and doubles for men and women as well as mixed doubles. Senior men's tennis also is offered for those 70-and-over. Contact Burgoyne, (352) 518-9380, to enter.

LEAGUE UPDATES: Westin Innisbrook Resort's 3.5 senior women's team clinched the division with its 3-0 victory over East Lake Woodlands last month. Scoring wins were Debra McGinley and Maureen Sternberg in No.1, Shirl Ahrens and Judy Warner No.2 and Anne Hammond and Dale Slive No.3.

Rounding out the state-bound Innisbrook squad are captain Sue Luidens, Judy Murphy, Bonny Boosales, Jean McKenzie, Phyllis Gary, Nancy Kraemer, Josie Doucette, Marilyn Linker, Kathryn Fitzpatrick and Reme Johnson.

NET SHOTS: Kaysara Mandy of Valrico was a finalist in the girls 14-and-under division in the TPA Winter Challenge last month in St. Petersburg.

Guillermina Torre of Wesley Chapel won the girls 16 title match in straight sets at last month's Winter Wonders Championships in Clearwater. Other winners included Joseph Valdes (boys 10) and Rodrigo Ferreaz (boys 12).

Hernandez of Wesley Chapel (girls 18) reached the finals.

Consolation winners included Allison Beck (girls 16), Austin Kondor (boys 12) and Jason Swenson (boys 18).

Juniors who competed in South Florida designated singles tournaments during the weekend were Miranda Gutierrez, Yumi Hasegawa, Linda Tien and Brianna Williams in the girls 18-and-under; Kyle Bryne, Konstantin Lazarov, Shaun Young and Christopher Bulone, boys 18; Paige Kensrue, Megan Broderick and Andrea Maythaler, girls 16; Cain Soltoff and Brendan and Brandan McKay, boys 16; Alexis Keplick, Jamie Mera and Jana Quinones, girls 14; Jeff D'Adamo, boys 14; Tanner and Tyler Brown, Connor Smith and Alex Peckham, boys 12; Christina Bell, Danielle Day, Nicole Mera, Jennifer Miller, Kelly Palmer, Chelsea Townes and Alexandra Moreno-Kaste, girls 12; Kelly Sullivan and Nicola Wellman, girls 10; Kosuke Hasegawa and Joseph Valdes, boys 10.

COMING UP: The Temple Terrace Junior Championships begin today. Call Manny Mariani, (813) 989-7178. ... The George Pero Memorial Family Classic is March 15-17 at Cheval Country Club. Call Allegra Campos, (813) 948-2282.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright