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Tennis

Ex-musician in tune with community as teaching pro

By NANCY MORGAN
Published March 30, 2005

All the while Phil Girardi traveled with a musical band, it was tennis he was meant to play - not the keyboard.

For more than 10 years, Girardi has devoted his talent to teaching and programming tennis for grassroots players and volunteering to help promote and develop the sport. Before he became a tennis pro, the Ruskin native was a professional keyboard player and traveled with The Exchange. Girardi learned tennis at East Bay High School and took to it the first time he tried the sport.

"When I was traveling with the band, tennis was always my favorite thing to do," said Girardi, 44. "We traveled mostly around the southeast, and wherever we went I looked for an opportunity to play some tennis."

He was with the band from 1984-1992. Though Girardi switched careers, he still plays the keyboard. But he keeps his focus on tennis. In 1996, Girardi became an assistant teaching pro at Treasure Bay, and for a little more than three years, he has been Treasure Bay's tennis director. His responsibilities recently expanded to include the entire facility - tennis, golf and all other recreational areas.

"At Treasure Bay, it's quite unique in that we have two lifetime sports to address," Girardi said. "My goal is to see as many people as possible out there being active in whatever sport.

"I think my different background and the experiences I had with tennis while traveling helps me bring a unique point of view," he said. "We offer a lot of different programs, especially in community tennis."

Girardi offers organized mixed doubles twice a week, mixers and special events once a month, clinics for beginners-and-better and open play on eight har tru courts and two hard. He plans to utilize some neighborhood courts as a feeder to Treasure Bay. While Girardi was establishing himself as a teaching professional, his passion for community tennis led him to a volunteer role with USA Tennis Florida. He served the past five years as one of 19 district directors in the state organization. In December, he was inducted as an officer and will work as secretary of the association for a two-year term. In January, Girardi was appointed to the U.S. Tennis Association's Youth and Collegiate Committee. Last month, he traveled to Palm Springs, Calif., for the USTA annual meeting.

"This was my first experience at a USTA national meeting," Girardi said. "I was impressed with the vastness of the meeting with so many other volunteers from across the U.S. It was impressive to see people like Billie Jean King and Patrick McEnroe attending the meetings, and I was especially impressed to see how advanced Florida is compared to many of the other states.

"It was interesting to learn about some of the initiatives the USTA is pursuing, like the new schools program where tennis will be a part of the curriculum and not just a special event." Girardi, as the teaching professional and volunteer, is dedicated to seeing community tennis expand. To help assure success, he serves on the Suncoast Tennis Foundation board. His role with the community association is to help develop a strong working relationship between the STF and area teaching pros. Girardi is working on developing a "bridge the gap" effort for recreational and competitive junior players.

LEAGUE NEWS: Shipwatch Tennis Club won its 10th match in the Super Senior men's 3.5 Doubles League with a 3-0 score over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. Producing straight-set wins were Henry Van Drunen and Evan Odden and Alan Smith and Leland Hibbs. John Todia and Johnie Howard won by default. In celebration of the 25th year of USA League Tennis, a special event to recognize captains is planned from 2-6 p.m. on June 25 at Rennaisance Vinoy. Activities include short pro-set team tennis and refreshments. The event is open to the first 50 men and women. Register by contacting 526-7966 or raott@tampabay.rr.com or 797-8416 or clevin01@tampabay.rr.com NET SHOTS: Bob Meyerdierks is the men's 80-and-over No. 1 singles points winner in the Super Senior Grand Prix. He was No. 2 in the 80 doubles with John Boliver.

Larry Turville, formerly of St. Petersburg, clinched the top spot in the 55 division and was joined by locals Marc Mazo and Gerry Barna, who tied for third. Tom Avirette was third in the 85 singles.

In the doubles standings, Turville and Gewan Maharaj finished first in 55. Mazo and Bill Christensen were fourth. Ed Hamilton and Dave Krebs placed second in 65, followed by Don Mathias and Gene Poplawski. In men's 70, Hernan Molina and Dick Crawford were fourth. Bob Allen and Andrew Chau took third in the 80 doubles.

Jerica Coley was among the winners in Sarmiento's Annual Championships at St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Coley upset top-seeded Alyssa Bellini in the girls 14-and-under final. Jade Smith won the 10 round robin. Finalists included No. 2 Shaunte Southern (girls 12), Bellini (14), Jasmyne Smith (16) and Philippe Novikov (boys 12). Consolation winners included Katie Ossenmacher (girls 14), Simone Berger (16) and Jorge Guerra (boys 16).

COMING UP: The Treasure Bay Adult NTRP begins Saturday. Call 547-4575 to enter the men's and women's singles and 7.5 mixed doubles competition. ... The East Lake Spring Junior Rookie event is this weekend at East Lake Woodlands. Singles players 18-and-under should call 785-2212 to enter. ... The Safety Harbor Spring Classic is April 15-17 at Phil Green Tennis Academy. Call 724-7729 to enter the men's and women's open, 35-and-older, 45, 55 and 65 singles divisions.

[Last modified March 30, 2005, 01:03:17]