Ruth Koontz gets her lift for the day on the court. The 82-year-old recommends others do the same.
Koontz plays four times a week in organized matches with friends on Clearwater's Bayfront courts. On other days, she takes a leisurely walk on the beach or a 3-mile walking tape.
"I just love tennis, the people I've met through tennis and the fun of the challenge," Koontz said. "Tennis is addictive. Even when it's wet or windy, we'll go out thinking we'll get to play. I highly recommend to start tennis at any age." Koontz was born in Clearwater in 1922, the youngest of seven children, after her parents moved from North Carolina two years earlier. She began playing about 10 years of age and, at her brother's urging, continued the sport through high school. Koontz played on courts at Seminole Street, where the Garden Club now stands, and later at the Bayfront courts.
Attending Florida State College for Women, now FSU, and majoring in elementary education limited her participation but never diminished her love for the game. After marrying Air Force pilot Glenn Koontz in 1944, Koontz spent more time playing bridge than tennis. Bridge continued to be her primary activity through her teaching years until retirement from Kings Highway Elementary in 1981. By then, she had more free time.
"Glenn retired in 1961, then trained for a second career in respiratory therapy," Koontz said. "I had little extra time for tennis or bridge. When we retired in 1981, Glenn suggested we try golf. I countered his offer and asked him to first try tennis. He played every day and never mentioned golf again. He actually played up until about two months before he passed away in 1986."
Koontz says her best fun has been in the sport. She never competed in leagues or tournaments due to her need to stay out of the sun so feels fortunate to have developed and maintained an interest. "I love watching tennis and have always liked Chrissie Evert, Andre Agassi and Michael Chang," Koontz said. "I'm thrilled with the young players. ... I went to Davis Cup when it was held in St. Petersburg some years ago, and was just thrilled."
HUMANE SOCIETY RESULTS: Forty-three mixed doubles teams, 42 women's and 29 men's competed in the 11th annual charity tournament at Clearwater's Royal Racquet Club. Double winners were Linda Thomson and Donna Roberts. Thomson won the 4.0 women's title with Roberts and 4.0 mixed with John McConnell. Roberts captured the women's 4.5 round robin with Janet Eschenroeder. Sharon Dehnel and Lindsay Webb won 3.5 in three sets. Lynn Kloczkowski and Lucy Ogburn logged a 3.0 victory, and Randy Meisner and Kurt Long topped the men's 4.5 competition. Curt Kenyon and Chuck Moon took 3.5, and John Beda and Wendall Walker won 4.0. Mixed doubles champs included Katherine Kelly and Joe Haas (3.0 round robin), Vicki Tuller and Larry Nickerson (3.5) and Jenn Faust and Brian Siracusa (4.5).
LEAGUE NEWS: Among the 50 teams competing in this weekend's USA Tennis Florida Mixed Doubles Adult Sectional Championships in Daytona Beach are Feather Sound Country Club 7.0, Royal Racquet Club 8.0 and McMullen 9.0. Last weekend's Senior Mixed Doubles Sectional Championships included Westin Innisbrook Resort's 7.0 squad and Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club 8.0. Bardmoor was the state champ with 3-0 wins over Tallahassee, Brandon, Naples and Palm Beach Gardens to reach the final against Sarasota.
Kay Caldwell and Ron Massey won in the No. 2 spot. Joy Ackerman and John Arnold posted a victory at No. 3. Beda teamed in No. 1 with Gale Nickerson against Tallahassee and 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 squads won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. Innisbrook fell to Lady Lake, Naples, Valrico and Tallahassee.
The Seminole Lake Tennis Center 4.0 men placed third in their flight at the U.S. Tennis Association Adult League National Championships in Tucson, Ariz. Seminole lost 3-2 to USTA sections Pacific Northwest and the Caribbean before beating Southern California 3-2.
Against Pacific Northwest, Dave Heeder and Scott Chambers won in the No. 2 position in a third-set tie-breaker. Todd Legault and Steve Baccich posted a victory at No. 3. Legault and Baccich won again in a third-set tie-breaker against the Caribbean. Mike Hooper was a 6-4, 6-4 winner in No. 2 singles. Against Southern California, Brian Cooper won in straight sets in No. 1 singles. Captain Red McGarry and Hooper recorded a victory in No. 1 doubles. Heeder and Legault won in a third-set tie-breaker at No. 3. NET SHOTS: Morgan Basil won the girls 18-and-under singles championship in the Jdtennis.com Fall Classic in Altamonte Springs. Macey Cook defended her top seed, winning the 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 (14). Finalists included Anne-Marie Mooney (10) and Patrick Mahoney (16). Collecting consolation titles were David Yang (boys 14) and Anastasia Nefodova (girls 10).
Christopher Kucharski, the No. 2 seed in boys 16 competition, 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 crown. Consolation winners included Kirk Kucin (boys 16) and Katherine Waldthausen (girls 18).
COMING UP: The Haunted Rookie Tournament for junior singles players is Oct. 23-24 at Largo Tennis Center. Call 518-3200 by the Wednesday deadline.
