When St. Petersburg's Jeff Winkler boards a plane for Barcelona, Spain, next week, he will feel confident about the strength of the USA team he will captain in the international Potter Cup. This is the 32nd competition of the Cup, an International Club team event for men 45-and-older, and the 26th year Barcelona has been host.
"This is my third trip on the team and my second to captain," Winkler said. "We have a very strong team that has depth all the way through the lineup. Our team is seeded third among nine countries, behind Spain at No. 1 and Italy No. 2. Italy beat us in a very close semifinal last year."
The format includes five singles and two doubles positions. Among those supporting Winkler in his role are St. Petersburg's Jeff Davis and Bradenton's Egan Adams.
Davis is a former standout South Florida and satellite-level player and currently is the nation's No. 3 competitor in the 45 division. Adams, in his first year in the 45, played at Pepperdine, was world-ranked third in 40 and is a former top-80 ATP player.
"Egan, who is playing a lot of tournaments, will play No. 1 for us," Winkler said. "He just competed in the Worlds and reached the singles semifinals and won the doubles. Jeff and Danny Waldman will interchange at the No. 2 and 3 slots."
Waldman, an All-American at Harvard, filled the No. 1 position last season and collected clay court national singles titles in 2001 and '02.
Rounding out the squad are three-time grasscourt champion Geoff Martinez, a teaching professional in San Francisco; ex-tour player John Peckskamp of Ohio and Duke All-American Mark Meyers.
Winkler said looking for good players with good resumes and those competing in a lot of tournaments, especially on red clay, was key in selecting the team. Similar to the format the U.S. Tennis Association uses, Winkler looked at a player's experience in international play and current rankings.
"I also like to look for nice people that will be good teammates," he said. "That will make for good team chemistry."
Winkler, a former Central Michigan University player, brings national and international experience to the squad.
Coming off what he considers his best year to date, Winkler received a No. 13 national ranking in the 45 singles and No. 3 in doubles. Collecting two bronze balls for doubles in the national clay court and grass court championships sealed a successful year. "I'm one of those that didn't peak when I was young," Winkler said. "I feel like I'm still developing as a player." Winkler, Peckskamp, Meyers and Waldman are the veteran Potter Cup members. Martinez, Davis and Adams are rookies. All, however, are veterans of national and international competition. The team leaves Monday and will compete May 27-30.
SENIORS AT STATE: Local teams came up short in last weekend's USA Tennis Florida Senior League Championships in Daytona Beach. Of the four local squads competing for titles, only the men's PGTA 3.5 team advanced to the semifinal round. PGTA fell 2-1 to PGA National, which played on to win the championship. Westin Innisbrook Resort's 3.5 women placed fifth in their flight, as did McMullen 3.0. Countryside Country Club's 3.0 men were fourth.
NET SHOTS: Danielle Collins upset top-seeded Malibu Perdue of Sarasota 6-3, 6-0 to win the girls 14-and-final in the Bangoura Bob D. and Paul T. Memorial Tournament in Bradenton. Julianne Gruber was a finalist in girls 12, and Erin Cooley reached the 18 consolation final.
Finalists in the Countryside Spring Local Junior Championships included Stephen Segura (boys 18), Philippe Novikov (12) and Robert Perry (10). Among the girls were Robyn Perry (10), Alyssa Bellini (12) and Dalila Chiadmi (16). In consolation action, Jessica Cox won the girls 16 and David Yang boys 12.
St. Petersburg Tennis Center is looking for volunteers to help with Academy Prep's June 7-11 activity at the center.Fifth-graders from the academy are expected to participate in the five-day, 1-3 p.m., camp. To volunteer, call 892-4688.
COMING UP: An organizational meeting for South County USA Team Tennis for youths begins at 1 p.m. today at Treasure Bay. For information, call 867-9105 or 368-0882. ... Treasure Bay is hosting an open house from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. A free beginners clinic will start at 10:30, followed by a demo day with Prince racquets. Call 360-6062 to sign up. ... Memories in Clearwater begins Saturday for juniors at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex. Call 669-1919 to enter.
