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Tennis

Game retains luster for Holiday's McCall

By NANCY MORGAN
Published December 14, 2005

After years of playing basketball and baseball caught up with Michael McCall, the Holiday resident returned to his first sport - tennis.

Since getting back into the sport, McCall realized how much he missed playing the game he started as an 8-year-old growing up in southern Alabama.

"My parents belonged to a club, plus, we had a court at our home," said McCall, 40. "I had the lessons and played the junior tournaments. My parents still play. I really enjoyed playing and, once I got back into it, I found out how much I really missed it."

As a youth, McCall had an opportunity to take a lesson from the legendary Rod Laver, a lefty like himself. That experience with the 11-time Grand Slam champion helped influence McCall's fondness of the game.

"I played through my teenage years, although they didn't offer tennis at my high school," McCall said. "Somewhere between my 20 to mid 30s, I got into team sports like baseball and basketball. After some pretty serious injuries, I decided tennis was a much safer sport for me."

Since moving permanently to Holiday a year ago, McCall has worked on improving his tennis skills.

"When I moved to Holiday and found I was only about a mile from the recreation center, I decided to get serious about playing again," McCall said. "I play a power game and especially give it my all on the first serve. I'm a baseliner and primarily play singles, although I do play a little doubles."

McCall, a distribution manager for Armstrong flooring, joined the singles flex league at the Holiday Recreation Complex and is exploring opportunities to play in USTA leagues around the area. About six months ago, McCall rejoined the USTA.

McCall hopes to play not only USTA league tennis but some USTA tournaments as well.

"I am serious about this, and got especially serious in the last six months," McCall said. "I'm real rusty, but I've not only been playing, but taking lessons from different people. I've been particularly working on some different grips to improve my top spin, and I think it's improving."

LEAGUE NEWS: Shipwatch Tennis Club claimed the Senior Women's 7.5 Combo League title with its 3-0 win over East Lake Woodlands this month.

Shipwatch joins Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club's 6.5 women's squad and men's teams Feather Sound Country Club 6.5, East Lake Woodlands 7.5 and Countryside Country Club 8.5 as local league champions eligible for the USTA Florida Championships in January.

Countryside-Walker/Emery recorded its seventh consecutive win this month to claim the title in the Adult 7.0 Mixed Doubles League.

In the adult 8.0 mixed doubles playoffs, the Renaissance Vinoy eliminated Shipwatch 2-1 and faces the winner of the rain-delayed McMullen/Spa vs. East Lake match for the championship.

Countryside-Walker/Emery and the 8.0 winner qualify for the state tournament slated in October 2006.

NET SHOTS: Winners in last weekend's Christmas Classic at Seminole Lake Tennis Center included Chana Camacho (girls 12-and-under), Taylor Brewster (16), Thien Nguyen(boys 10), Kamil Khalil (14) and Maximilian Eppley (18). Second-place finishes were collected by Natalie Franklin in girls 10, Zackary Benham (boys 10) and Tyler Reppert (18). Christina Bell won the girls 16 consolation.

DID YOU KNOW? In a non-officiated match, the receiver or his partner may call a foot fault on the server after all efforts have been exhausted to eliminate the violation. A fault occurs when either foot touches the court, including the baseline or the the imaginary extension of the center mark or the sideline, before the server strikes the ball.

MARK THE DATE: The Suncoast Tennis Foundation's fourth annual Tournament of Champions is Jan. 13-15 at East Lake Woodlands Country Club. The invitational, single-elimination doubles event is open to winners, finalists, semifinalists and consolation winners from major charity tournaments held this year, including American Cancer Society, East Lake Woodlands Memorial Day, Humane Society of Pinellas, Good Samaritan Clinic and Frenchy's Gumbo. Also invited are winners and finalists from the third annual STF Tournament of Champions.

For more information, call STF executive director Judy Foster, (727) 725-3681.

COMING UP: Impact Training Holiday Camps are offered Dec. 27-30 at Quail Ridge Country Club for children ages 8-16 of all levels from 9 a.m. to noon. Competitive players will be from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and ages 5-9 4 to 5:30 p.m. For details, contact director Brent Wellman, (727) 919-2011. ... Westin Innisbrook Resort offers its monthly Junior Grand Prix Tournament Jan. 14. Call (727) 942-5241.

News 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 December 14, 2005, 00:15:15]