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Tennis

Remaining busy in 3 leagues

By NANCY MORGAN
Published October 5, 2005

When Larry Albert moved from New Jersey to Pasco County more than 20 years ago, he traded in his snow skis for a tennis racket.

The New Port Richey resident estimates he plays 60-70 matches a year.

"When I came to Florida, I knew I needed to find a new sport," said Albert, 57. "I turned to tennis for the exercise. ... I tried a little golf, but there's definitely more exercise with tennis, and it's more economical."

Albert likes singles play and considers his backhand fairly reliable and his serve effective, but his forehand questionable. Albert took lessons for about a year and joined his first league at the Tampa Tennis Complex. He started playing in K-Swiss, a singles league with flexible scheduling, about 15 years ago.

"I'd say my best weapon is my speed," he said. "I play the best when I'm on the run. ... I'd say I'm still pretty fast for a baby boomer."

About eight years ago, Albert added a singles league at Tampa's Davis Island complex to his schedule (though he's taking a break from it now). He has earned eight trophies for top-two finishes in the 3.5 division. And he's competing in a singles league sponsored by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at the Holiday Complex.

Last February, Albert, who hadn't skied for about seven years, went on a skiing trip with his brother. He broke his arm in a collision with machinery on the slopes, and had surgery requiring permanent pins.

"The bad news was the broken arm, but the good news was it was my left arm and I'm right-handed," Albert said. "When the cast came off about 10 weeks later, I was back out on the tennis courts."

Albert, who has had a career in sales, is a playwright at heart and has written one full-length play and about five one-act plays. The English major at Penn State started writing at 19 and hopes to get a play produced.

"I often bring a script with me to a match and after I'm finished playing, I'll work on it," he says.

"I've never felt better than after a tennis match."

NET SHOTS: Shipwatch Tennis Club's 8.0 senior mixed doubles team leaves this week for the USA League Tennis Mixed Senior Sectional in Daytona Beach.

Nine teams will begin play Friday in two flights, with finals slated for Sunday.

To track results go online to www.usatennisflorida.com and click on Tennis Link. Then hit USA League Tennis and click Championship Advanced Search.

A senior men's team based at McMullen of Clearwater leaves this week to represent Florida at the USA League Tennis Senior Men's 4.0 National Championship in Palm Springs, Calif.

Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Women's Doubles League at Veterans Memorial Park begining Oct. 14. Call (727) 861-3033 before Friday's deadline.

Rallyball for beginners, ages 6-14, is offered at Quail Ridge Golf and Country Club, Holiday Recreation Complex, Gill's Family YMCA and New Port Richey Recreation Center. Call (727) 836-0292 for details.

Brent Wellman, director of Impact Sports at Quail Ridge Golf and Country Club, offers training for players from youth to adult, including high school-level to tournament players. Call Wellman, (727) 919-2011.

COMING UP: Countryside Country Club hosts its Fall Junior Rookie for singles players Saturday and Sunday. Call the club, (727) 796-1136. ... Temple Terrace Tennis Center offers its Junior Halloween Classic Oct. 15-17. Call the center, (813) 989-7178.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 727 796-5559; e-mailed to namorgan46@msn.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified October 5, 2005, 01:14:17]