Competitive doubles event raises money for hospital
By NANCY MORGAN
Published May 29, 2003
Last weekend's Morton Plant Mease Charity Tennis Tournament at East Lake Woodlands lived up to its reputation of strong doubles competition.
The 13th annual fundraiser, started in 1900 to benefit Morton Plant Mease Hospital's Powell Pavilion, provided men's, women's and mixed doubles divisions. Co-chairs Dr. Mark Michelman and his wife, Sue, were assisted by committee members Trish Mainard, Ruby Johnson, Jim Clark, Barb Smith, Cindy Frank, Cindy Corbett, Doris Goldman, Patti Goldstein, Sandi Delosh and Dona Browne. Others volunteered and contributed. Rick Workman and Jake Bryan were the tourney directors. "We actually took in more money in entry fees this year than last," Mainard said. "We should be in the same ballpark as last year on the money raised. That should put us around $23,000 again."
In the past 12 years, the event has generated more than $200,000 for cancer care, research and education at the hospital.
Nearly 200 players competed over the three-day weekend. Almost 50 mixed doubles teams were in four divisions.
First-time partners Ahn Thu Burks and Mark Wagner captured the mixed open title from Rachel Sanchez and John Miller, 6-4, 6-3. "Mark really made me feel comfortable out there, even though it was our first time to play," Burks said. "He helped me with my serve by poaching a lot and putting a lot of pressure on our opponents."
Wagner praised Burks' ability to handle the faster pace and control the ball.
"She played really well on some key points, served well and hit some key ground strokes," Wagner said. Darla Guthrie and Clark Higgs won the 4.0 mixed division, Marlene Mokracek and Les Spang the 3.5 and Laurie and Howard Kahn the 3.0.
Almost 30 women's squads were in the event. Susan Angell and Nancy Morgan claimed the 4.0 crown, Janie Griffith and Marilyn Symanski the 3.5 and Susan Sommerfield and Kathy Alvera the 3.0.
More than 40 men's doubles clubs competed. Rafael Muzquiz and Adrian Pagani defended their open championship, Graham Bell and Kevin Hayslett took the 4.0, Hans Look and Bob Telles topped 3.5 and Ron Day and Bob Dickson won 3.0.
"Adrian and I were the two-time defending champions in the men's open," Muzquiz said.
"It was a tough match. We lost the first set, but then Mark began to cramp. We broke their serve in the second when we were down 5-3 and came back to win 7-5. Early on in the third set, Mark had to stop because of the cramping."
SENIORS AT SECTIONALS: Treasure Bay's 4.0 women's team recaptured the state championship it won in 2001, defeating in the final nearly the same Pensacola squad it beat two years ago. En route to the crown, Treasure Bay topped Sarasota and Gainesville 3-0 and Naples 2-1, advancing to the USA Tennis Florida Senior Sectional Championships semifinal round. A 2-1 victory over Stuart set up the title match with Pensacola. A 2-1 decision in the final qualified Treasure Bay for the USA Senior League National Championships, Oct. 9-12 in Palm Springs, Calif. The team's members are captain Patti Prestera, Carol Hancock, Ria Graham, Barbara Brutus, Hank Skoczen, Marion Murch, Susan Hobbs, Ann Worthington, Pat Kelly, Lynn Klein, Joan Plaster, Sharon Carlile, Donna Dicus and Judy Grim. In the men's 4.5 sectional, the Racquet Club was eliminated in flight competition by losses to Pensacola, Orlando and Ormond Beach. McMullen's 4.0 club reached the semifinals. STATE SUPER SENIORS: The USA Tennis Florida Super Senior Sectional Championships begin Friday in Daytona Beach. Representing the area are Westin Innisbrook Resort (3.5 women's division) and Phil Green Tennis Academy (3.5 men). Innisbrook's women challenge seven other teams with hopes of retaining the state title. Phil Green academy's men will compete against 10 other squads in pursuit of a three-peat. Joining Innisbrook captain Phyllis Gary, who's injured and unable to compete, will be Reme Johnson, Jean McKenzie, Kay Fitzpatrick, Diane Galemmo, Joan Holland, Bonny Boosales, Sue Luidens, Nancy Kraemer, Maureen Sternberg and Shirl Ahrens. The Green academy's players are captain Joe Gari, Dick Lashley, Glenn Merrer, Carlo Mugavero, Willie Coquelet, Ken Hogle, Fred Elflein, Richard Hough, John Kuhn, Woody Woodbury and Bob Anderson. CHAMPIONS: Royal Racquet Club captured the Bi-County Women's Doubles League crown. Countryside Blue finished second. Royal's players were Linda Cope, Pam Bascio, Ute Sportschuetz, Mary Jo Renner, Linda Stonikas, Missi Hayslett, Jenny Bell, Betty Abair, Sharon Dehnel, captain Judy Foster, Debbie Coment and co-captain Ilona Ingebrand. The Aces defended their Advantage Ladies Tennis League title. The Aces were captain Susan Murbach, Jenny Henderson, Linda Bishop, Marilyn Symanski, Sharon Wexler, Carol Thurmond and Joan Nichols. ADULTS: Winners in several USA Adult League divisions have been determined. Playoffs in other classes will decide which local team advances to the July regional. In women's competition, the Renaissance Vinoy (6-1) claimed the 3.0 division. Feather Sound Country Club topped the 3.5 Shot Makers. The PGTA, with Marlene Flament as captain, was unbeaten in 4.0, and McMullen (4-2) defended its 4.5 title. A playoff to determine the women's 3.5 champion will be scheduled for next month. McMullen of Clearwater clinched the men's 3.0 class with an 8-1 record. McMullen, the 3.5 Central winner, awaits the completion of the North and South divisions for a playoff to crown the champ. A 4.0 playoff will be set for next month to determine the top team among two Seminole Lake Tennis Center squads, Countryside Country Club and a wild-card team. One match remains in 4.5. MEMORIES IN CLEARWATER: Palm Harbor's Anastaya Sokolova was the only local junior singles winner in last weekend's tournament. She defeated Wesley Chapel's Guillemina Torre 6-3, 6-2 in the girls 18-and-under championship. Finalists included area players Kara Kucin (12), Zachary Bandes (10) and Daichi Murata (16). Among the consolation winners was Joe Kenny.
