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Bruce Blubaum of Port Richey hadn't entered the Weston Innisbrook Resort club championships in a few years when he and Dave Parris decided to enter last month's.
It was a fortuitous decision, as the duo won in three sets in the men's open doubles final for the club title.
"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision for Dave and me to play together and support the club," Blubaum said.
Facing Rob Hamill and Jamie Coreano, Blubaum, 60, and Parris rebounded from a first-set loss to win in a third-set tiebreaker. Parris' quick hands and ball placement combined with Blubaum's power game to help them eke out the victory.
"Dave's a lefty, and that confuses a lot of players," Blubaum said. "I think that was a key advantage for us.
"Rob was very consistent, and it seemed he could run after the ball all day. Jamie had some great hands. It wasn't easy for us."
"We did okay and have some experience playing together from our regular group at the club," Parris, 53, said. "Once we realized we had an advantage on one of their returns, we played on that as much as we could."
Indiana-bred Blubaum focused more on basketball until he moved to New Port Richey, where the recreation department built four hard courts in the early 1980s. It was then tennis came across Blubaum's radar.
"I like tennis because it's an individual sport - you don't need 10 guys to play like basketball - and age has no influence over playing tennis," Blubaum said. "The weather is great here for tennis, and you meet some of your lifelong friends on the tennis court."
Now in his first year of retirement, the 30-year-plus educator hopes to play more tennis and is looking forward to competing in the super senior doubles league for players at least 60.
New Port Richey's Parris, who has played tennis since high school in Pennsylvania, also won the 4.0 mixed doubles title with Wendy Kall.
Divisions in the championships also included women's 4.0 and 3.5 singles and doubles, men's open singles and 3.5 singles and doubles.
Ria Graham defended her 4.0 singles championship and teamed with Kay Clark to retain the 4.0 doubles title. Maria Kemp won the 3.5 women's singles and Sue Luidens and Kay Fitzpatrick the 3.5 doubles.
Malcolm Slive also defended a singles title in the 3.5 and paired with Rich Babbitt to defend the 3.5 doubles title.
In the men's open singles, Hamill defended his title against club newcomer Coreano.
Singles runners-up included Dee Dolson (4.0) and Holly Richardson (3.5) in women's play and Babbitt (3.5) in the men's. Dale Slive and Maureen Sternberg were second in the women's 4.0 doubles, as were Loretta Bruney and Kemp in the 3.5. Bob Barry and Bill Graham were runnersup in the 3.5 doubles and Susan Bucci and Malcolm Slive were second in the 4.0 mixed.
"The turnout for this year's club championships was better than last year, so it's good we're getting more support," said Jim Hord, Innisbrook's tennis director. "We'll definitely be making this an annual activity."
LEAGUE NEWS: Florida's super senior 4.0 champion McMullen fell short at last month's USA League Tennis National Championships in Palm Springs, Calif.
McMullen beat Northern California 2-1 and fell 2-1 to Pacific Northwest and Southern in its flight competition. USTA Middle States was named the national 8.0 champion.
Innisbrook collected its first win in the eight-team Adult 7.0 Mixed Doubles League with its 2-1 victory over the Renaissance Vinoy. Anne and Robert Hammond scored a 7-5, 6-2 win in No. 3 and Debra and Ed McGinley posted a 7-6, 7-6 win in No. 2.
A captains meeting is planned to begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at East Lake Woodlands Country Club for senior, super senior, super 70 and senior mixed doubles leagues. For details, contact Carol Levin (clevin01@tampabay.rr.com) or David Wisotsky (adwswiz@msn.com)
NET SHOTS: Carlina Lozo defended her top seeding to win the girls 10-and-under title in last weekend's St. Petersburg Country Club Rookie Championships. Lorraine Saban in the girls 16 and Rahul Kuppachhi in the boys 10 finished second in their divisions. Sarah Eriksson won the girls 16 consolation.
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS: A free six-week wheelchair tennis program, with instruction and match play, is Saturday mornings through Nov. 19 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Tampa Tennis Complex.
Open to ages 7 to adult, the program is a partnership with BlazeSports Tampa Bay, USTA Florida, the Tampa Wheelchair Tennis Foundation, Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department and Tampa Parks and Recreation Department. Call (813) 892-0053.
THIS WEEKEND: The 13th Annual Tennis Classic to benefit the Good Samaritan Health Clinic kicks off Thursday with its Smash Bash draw party. Competition is Friday-Sunday at the Paul Kronk Tennis Center in Crescent Oaks Golf and Country Club. Call the center at (727) 934-6920 for specific playing times.
COMING UP: The Hunter's Green Junior Clay Court Championships begin Saturday in boys and girls singles. Call the club, (813) 973-4220, today to enter.
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.