Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club added a USA Tennis Florida title to its list of achievements when the club's 8.0 senior mixed doubles team captured the state championship last weekend in Daytona Beach.
Captain John Beda had a good feeling about the squad's chances before entering the event. But not until Bardmoor won its first three matches did he think the club would win it all.
"We won all four matches in our flight 3-0, but the matches were closer than the scores would indicate," Beda said. "The results could easily have turned around in the other direction."
Kay Caldwell and Ron Massey defended and won in the No. 2 position, as did Joy Ackerman and John Arnold at No. 3.
Beda teamed in No. 1 with Gale Nickerson against Tallahassee, then with Sylvia Hagerman against Naples. Beda paired with Rhonda Thompson against Brandon and Palm Beach Gardens.
In flight competition, Bardmoor won all 12 of its positions, losing just two sets. In the championship with Sarasota, the top finisher among Pensacola, Hampton and Daytona Beach, Bardmoor's No. 2 and No. 3 teams won again with 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1 decisions to collect the honor.
"Everything seemed to fall into place last weekend for us," Massey said. "We had fun and, of course, it's always more enjoyable to win.
"Kay and I complement one another's game and are both fairly quick," he said. "We tried to capitalize on that speed and use it to our advantage."
Feather Sound Country Club's 7.0 team hopes to join Bardmoor in the winners circle when it competes this weekend in the USA Tennis Florida Mixed Adult Sectional Championships.
"This is our first year to even have a mixed doubles team in USTA," Feather Sound captain Grace Winter said.
"Many of us have advanced to regionals in women's or men's leagues, and it seemed - especially for the women - those that did well also played mixed. Kari (Kiewatt) and I thought we should do the same and try to toughen our team."
After finishing first in local adult competition, Feather Sound prepared for state. "We've played a lot of mixed doubles in the last few months against our own team members and those at a higher level," Kevin Cavanaugh said.
"We're relatively new at mixed and are pleased to be successful locally. I think we have a good opportunity to finish high in the state tournament and hope that we'll have more local teams next year," he said.
Cavanaugh was among Feather Sound players who advanced to national championships in the men's league in 2000, along with Chip Frey and Bob Hicks. In 1999, Hicks and David Smith were members of a national-bound Feather Sound squad.
"During our local season, I tried to get everybody to have two partners they felt comfortable playing with," Winter said. "That makes it easier to schedule, especially for this weekend."
Feather Sound is in one of three 7.0 flights, each with five teams.
Friday, the club faces Panama City and Marco Island. Saturday, Feather Sound plays Merritt Island and Inverness. Sunday morning, the top team in each of the three flights, plus a wild-card squad, will meet in the semifinals. The championship is scheduled for noon. Rounding out Feather Sound's squad are Lori Clarke, Carol Stowasser, Kathy Wilson and Pat Augustine.
Other local teams competing this weekend are Royal Racquet Club 8.0 and McMullen 9.0. In all, there are 50 squads, with eight in 6.0, 15 in 7.0 and 8.0, 10 in 9.0 and two in 10.
OTHER LEAGUE NEWS: Westin Innisbrook Resort's 7.0 senior mixed doubles team lost to Lady Lake, Tallahassee, Valrico and Naples in the USA Tennis Florida Mixed Senior Sectional Championships.
A captains meeting for USA Tennis Florida District 12 Senior Men's and Women's Doubles Leagues is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Countryside Country Club.
For information, call women's coordinator Judy Murphy, 815-9618. For men's information, call David Wisotsky, 938-7902.
A USA Tennis Florida Adult and Senior Mixed Doubles Leagues captains meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in Largo.
For information, call coordinators Erika Boardman (399-2459), Liz Dunlop (391-0811) or Bob Hagerman (391-4380).
NET SHOTS: Team Florida won its first Georgia-Florida USA Tennis For Youth Challenge in Jacksonville.
It was the seventh year for the annual event, which pits the top 20 squads from the states in a coed format for players 18-and-under. Florida had 1,768 points to Georgia's 1,717.
The Treasure Bay Ducks won the Advanced division, and Treasure Bay's Shellackers were third in 12-and-under Intermediate.
Morgan Basil captured the girls 18-and-under singles title in the Jdtennis.com Fall Classic in Altamonte Springs.
Macey Cook defended her top seed to win the girls 12 final in straight sets. Among the consolation winners were Matt Herrock (boys 14) and Jeremy Fisch (10).
Andrew Ryan (boys 10), Michael Beiler (12) and Peter Barr (16) defended their top seeds in last weekend's Countryside Fall Junior Rookie at Countryside Country Club.
Also winning was Aaron Ellison (boys 14). Finalists included Anne-Marie Mooney (10) and Patrick Mahoney (16). Collecting consolation crowns were David Yang (boys 14) and Anastasia Nefodova (girls 10).
Boys 16 second seed Christopher Kucharski upset No. 1 Macale Smith 6-3, 6-3 to win the final in last weekend's Halloween Bowl at Seminole Lake Tennis Center.
Michael Kopelman won the 14 competition. Consolation winners included Kirk Kucin (boys 16) and Katherine Waldthausen (girls 18).
PLAY FOR CHARITY: The 21st annual Raymond James Pro/Am Tournament is Oct. 23-24 at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club.
The charity event benefits All Children's Hospital. Call 551-5280 or 892-4688 for information on sponsorships. Call 367-5479 for playing spots.
The 12th annual Tennis Classic to benefit the Good Samaritan Health Clinic of Pasco Inc. is Nov. 5-7 at Crescent Oaks Country Club. Call 848-6851 for player information.
COMING UP: The Haunted Rookie Tournament for junior singles players is Oct. 23-24 at Largo Tennis Center. Call 518-3200 by the Oct. 20 deadline.
A i9Sports Tennis League Men's Open Prize Money Tournament is Oct. 29-31 at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. For information, call 367-5479.
- 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.
