Bob Barry used to rely on softball to satisfy his competitiveness, but lately tennis has become more of a source.
Since resuming tennis a couple of years ago, and now a member of the McMullen Tennis Complex 3.0 men's team, Barry is beginning to find just as much competition on the court as on the diamond.
Last weekend, Barry and his teammates traveled to Daytona Beach for the USA Tennis Florida Adult League Championships. The state winner qualifies for the national tournament.
"I was nervous and apprehensive about leaving because of the forecast of Hurricane Charley," said Barry, 47. "But, my kids are older and I knew my wife would be okay, so I went. We have some younger players with real young kids that I knew wouldn't be going.
"Once I was on the court, though, I was okay and was able to focus," he said.
Barry, who has played more doubles than singles for the squad, was placed in the No. 1 singles slot against Indian Harbour. His usual doubles partner, Pedro DeJesus Jr., competed in No. 2.
Barry lost 6-2, 6-2, and De Jesus won by default.
Doubles victories from John Westbrook and Joel Dean at No. 1 and Ted Barrett and John Francy in No. 2 clinched a 3-2 win for McMullen.
"We had to change our schedule around because we weren't going to be at full strength," McMullen captain Dan Grimmer said.
"This is Bob's first year with us, and he's come on strong. He's a roadrunner on the court and dedicated to the team."
Barry came to Clearwater when he was 8 years old and attended Belcher Elementary, Oak Grove Middle School, Clearwater High and St. Petersburg Junior College before heading to Florida State University.
"I had played recreational tennis when I was in high school and at JC, but it was just for fun," Barry said. "Then a year after college, I stopped for about 20 years and didn't play at all.
"Dan had a Sunday morning doubles group at McMullen, and about three years ago Brian Craig told me about the group. Gradually, I played more and started getting back into shape, thanks to tennis."
Barry has been with Clearwater Recreation and Parks for 25 years and is a coordinator who assists in the city's special events. Until tennis came back into focus, he did most of his competition in city softball and baseball programs.
"I'm pretty quick at getting to balls and not real patient with playing long points," Bary said.
"At my level right now, I don't really have a set style, although I do like to attack," he said. "In the beginning, I was tentative and afraid of making mistakes. Now, I'm trying to be more aggressive and want to improve in that and step up my game."
ADULT SECTIONALS: Last weekend's USA Tennis Florida Adult League Sectional Championships at Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach were canceled Friday afternoon due to the impact of Hurricane Charley across the state.
Prior to the cancellation, the Racquet Club 3.5 men collected a 3-2 win over Jacksonville, Seminole Lake Tennis Center lost 3-2 to Gainesville and Clearwater 5.5 fell 3-0 to Lakeland.
The Clearwater 5.0 women's team did not play Friday.
The re-scheduled state tournament is Sept. 10-12. By Friday, team captains and league coordinators will be notified. Information will be on www.usatennisflorida.usta.com NET SHOTS: George Navas was among six athletes selected to represent Florida in the U.S. Tennis Association Junior Davis Cup played earlier this month in Columbia, S.C. The format included singles and doubles among teams from the 17 USTA sections.
Third-seeded Florida won 5-2 over Eastern, then fell to No. 5 Missouri Valley by the same score. Top-seeded Southern California captured its seventh cup.
Florida last won in 1997. Navas was 1-2 in singles and 3-1 in doubles with Andrew Mazlin of Altamonte Springs.
Joel Samaha collected a gold ball for the boys 14-and-under doubles title in the USTA National Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Second-seeded Samaha and Brennan Boyjian of Weston clinched the crown in three sets.
In singles, No. 8 Samaha lost his first main-draw match, then won five in consolation.
Matthew Broom and Jeff Dadamo played to the round of 64 in the 16-and-under 192-player singles draw in Kalamazoo, Mich. Marc Spicijaric and Timothy Neilly reached the round of 16 in 18 singles.
Yumi Hasegawa teamed with Boca Raton's Caitlin Whoriskey to finish third in the girls 16 national tournament in San Diego. Christina Liles fell in the second round in singles and advanced to the doubles quarterfinals with Brintney Larson of New York. Laura Gioia moved to the round of 64 in the girls 18 singles and to the round of 32 in doubles with Samantha Orlin of Coconut Groves.
In the girls 14 nationals in Peachtree City, Ga., Lindsay Dvorak fell in the first round of singles and played to the round of 64 in doubles with Natalie Collins of Vero Beach.
Marc Mazo defended his 55-and-over top seed with a 7-6 (3), 6-0 victory over No. 2 Bill Christensen in the Summer Classic Designated at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater.
Among the winners in the River Hills Summer Classic was Edward Corty in the boys 12-and-under division. The No. 3 seed upset the top player in a semifinal. Brett Apter reached the 18 final before falling in three sets to the top seed.
SAVE THE DATES: The 11th annual Humane Society of Pinellas Charity Tennis Tournament is Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at Royal Racquet Club. For information on sponsorships and entry forms, call 725-3681.
Plans are under way for the 21st annual Raymond James Pro/Am Tournament, Oct. 23-24 at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. The charity event benefits All Children's Hospital. Contact Eric Branson, 551-5280, for information on sponsorships and playing opportunities.
COMING UP: The registration deadline for the i9 Sports Tennis League is Wednesday. For information, call 367-5479 or go online to www.i9sports.com
- News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.
