Preparations are under way for the second annual Tournament of Champions, a men's, women's and mixed doubles event hosted by the Suncoast Tennis Foundation, Dec. 12-14 at Largo's Shipwatch Tennis Club. The tourney is the brainchild of several dedicated players who have supported local charity tournaments.
"A group of players approached me when I became president of the Suncoast Tennis Foundation a couple of years ago and suggested a tournament like this," STF president Judy Foster said. "The idea was to provide a head-to-head competition to culminate the charity tournament season and bring the best-of-the-best together. And, it was a good way to get the STF out before a large group of tennis players to be more widely recognized so they could learn about us."
Last year, about 90 competitors participated in the first event, played in October at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Center. Changing date to December hopes to bring a better response.
The tourney includes inviting the main-draw champs and runners-up and consolation winners in all divisions from the charity events for the American Cancer Society, Morton Plant Mease Hospital, Humane Society of Pinellas, Good Samaritan Classic and Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as last year's STF Tournament of Champions.
"We are very excited to host this tournament and have a big core of volunteers ready to assist," Shipwatch director Drew Wager said. "We've never had a tournament of this nature at the club, so everyone here is really looking forward to it."
The STF is a USA Tennis Florida community development organization that includes Pasco, Pinellas and a portion of Hernando counties. The STF is committed to expanding amateur community tennis through educational and charitable programs.
It is a non-profit volunteer group that assists grass-roots tennis. Proceeds from this month's tournament will be directed toward junior and adult programs.
To determine the site for the Tournament of Champions, the STF asked for written proposals from interested clubs. Since the STF is a community association, Foster said, the intent is to move the event contest around the area each year.
Along with Foster and a core of STF board members is a group of Shipwatch members - led by Kitty Winterhalter, Judith Persing, Sylvia Scoble and Mary Jane Evertz - that has been intently involved in coordinating club volunteers.
Spectators are encouraged to attend to not only watch the competition but play games for prizes. Fans may participate in a silent auction and for $10 attend the Dec. 10 draw party scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. at Shipwatch.
Eligible players should have received invitations. Competitors are to register by Monday. For information, call (727) 596-6862 or 725-3681.
FRENCHY'S RESULTS: More than 250 players competed in the 11th annual Frenchy's Gumbo Classic in Clearwater last weekend. The charity event was a benefit to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Kim Cashman and Gail McMurtrey captured the women's 4.5 title, Susan Hobbs and Ann Worthington the 4.0, Lisa Moyers and her sister, Gemma Bressoud, 3.5 and Julie Anderson and Angelica Gans 3.0. In men's competition, Wager and Kevin Manning took the 5.0 crown, Steve Baccich and Michael Erbe 4.5, Kevin Hayslett and Mike Kunnen 4.0, Robert Chene and Louis Preston 3.5 and Mark Evans and Allen Sanchez 3.0.
Mixed doubles winners included Mariana Eberle and Dave Freiman in the 5.0, Lisa Woodbridge and Dave Gunn 4.5, Linda Thompson and John McConnell 4.0, Lisa Hueholt and Paul Doucette 3.5 and Carolyn and Nick Pavonetti 3.0.
NET SHOTS: The Racquet Club of St. Petersburg hopes to raise its membership to 300 following a drive this spring.
Last month's East Lake Junior Local Tournament provided competition for nearly 120 players. Among the winners were Lindsay Dvorak, in the girls 16-and-under division; Morgan Basil (12), Julia Sikorski (10), Peter Czink (boys 18) and Brian Shim (14).
St. Petersburg's Jeff Winkler upset No. 1 Robert Myerson in the men's 45-and-over singles final in the November Invitational at Seminole Lake Tennis Center. Randy Meisner won the 45 consolation draw, as did Joel Samaha the men's open.
The PAL Power Racquets participated in a USA Team Tennis Red Rally in Winter Park. In all, nine squads with more than 60 players were in the one-day event that focused on fun. Eligible teams were those that were involved in a youth fall Rallyball program for beginning players.
SUPER SENIORS: The Super Senior (players 60-plus) and Super 70s (70-plus) women's leagues will be coordinated by Ruth Ann Ott (526-7966) and Carol Levin (797-8416). David Wisotsky (938-7902) will direct the men. Registration opens Dec. 15. Super Senior women play at 1 p.m. Mondays in mid-January and the Super Senior men at 1 on Tuesdays.
The Super 70s league will begin later in January, competing at 1 p.m. Thursdays.
COMING UP: The Holiday Classic for adults begins Friday at Tampa Palms Golf and Country Club. For information, call (813) 632-1676. ... The Pre-Holiday Classic begins Saturday for junior singles players at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Center. Call 669-1919. ... The James Jones Memorial Doubles Classic is this weekend at River Hills Country Club. Men's, women's and mixed doubles in 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 skill levels are offered. Call (813) 653-3776.
