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Tennis

Tournament honors Royal player Ruel

By NANCY MORGAN
Published February 2, 2006

The volunteers have a special inspiration as they prepare for this month's 23rd annual American Cancer Society Classic.

Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex is the site for the Feb. 10-12 men's, women's and mixed doubles charity event.

The committee, headed by Cindy Cooper and assisted by Janet Whitney, decided to dedicate the tournament to the memory of Pat Ruel, longtime player at Royal Racquet Club, who passed away in July from cancer.

"My mother would be quite touched by their decision, although she always hated to be the center of attention," said Theresa Lawrence, one of Ruel's six offspring.

"Tennis meant everything to her. One of her biggest regrets was having to give up playing, but she still would come to watch her friends play."

Ruel started playing tennis in 1965 when the family moved from Maryland to Clearwater's Morningside area.

Lawrence remembers from the time she was about 10 that her mom would daily take to the courts, first to Morningside down the street from where they lived and later to McMullen Tennis Complex. In the early 1980s, Ruel joined Royal Racquet Club.

"I hit some with my mom when I was a teenager and I remember her telling me I'd never be able to play," Lawrence said. "After that, I didn't try again until my family moved back here in 1995."

Lawrence, who developed to a 4.5-level player, and her mom then played some doubles together on Satellite and PADL teams. Those times, Lawrence said, are especially meaningful to her and knows that her mother was thrilled to have another member in the family who played.

Lawrence, who is recovering from breast cancer diagnosed in May, plans to play mixed doubles with her older son Tim, 19, in the tournament.

According to Whitney, a core of volunteers have been devoting time and energy to provide opportunities for players to compete, socialize and raise money for the ACS Pinellas Unit while honoring Ruel.

Among the key volunteers are honorary chair Merle Dennard, Carol Glenn, Kim Cashman, Judy Foster, Denise Bibeau-Reaves, Lee Beneke, Deb McCleery, Myrna Smith, Ward Johanssen, David Wisotsky and Missi Hayslett. Kiki Jacobsen is in charge of the silent auction, Pat Siracusa and Jack McCleery will direct the competition and Judy Siracusa is coordinating the draw party at Belleair Country Club.

"This is one of the best tournaments for what the players receive for their entry fee," Whitney said.

"They have lunch provided two days, the draw party Wednesday, Feb. 8, and the goodie bags always have lots of really nice things."

Whitney invites non-players to come out during the weekend to enjoy some good tennis and to bid on auction items Saturday.

Register by calling the complex, (727) 669-1919, before Monday's deadline and to be a court sponsor by contacting Cooper (581-7062) or Whitney (517-7620).

LEAGUE NEWS: In Senior Women's Doubles, McMullen improved to 3-0 in the 4.0 division with a 3-0 win over Westin Innisbrook Resort last weekend.

Collecting straight-set wins were Sharon Carlile and Nancy Morgan in No. 2 and Carol Levin and Sandy Lamy in No. 3. Hank Skoczen and Marion Murch posted a three-set win in No. 1.

Saturday, McMullen travels to the St. Petersburg Tennis Center, which is 4-0.

Innisbrook won its second match in the senior women's 3.5 division, defeating Feather Sound Country Club 2-1 last weekend on the play of Kathryn Fitzpatrick and Judy Morris in No. 1 and Pam Collins and Anne Hammond in No. 3.

In senior men's action last weekend, McMullen/St. Pete Tennis Center beat the Racquet Club 3-0 for its second win in the 4.5 division.

Posting straight-set wins were Jimmy Dundee and Robin Kippenberger in No. 1 and Ralph Howe and Terry Payton in No. 2. Steve Talner and Marc Mazo collected a three-set win in No. 3.

Safety Harbor Spa won its third consecutive match in the 3.5 North division with a 3-0 score over Royal Racquet Club.

Posting straight-set wins were Conrad Berhorster and Harry Stauffer in No. 2 and Dick Lashley and Ira Kaufman in No. 3. David Parris and Bill Schieman won in three in No. 1.

In the seven-team 8.0 senior mixed doubles league, Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club is the only unbeaten team at 3-0.

NET SHOTS: Lindsay Dvorak defended her top seeding to win the girls 16-and-under singles championship in the Lakeland Winter Sectional. Dvorak fought off the second seed in a three-set final.

Danielle Collins and Rebecca Bodine outlasted Emily Dvorak and Bradenton's Mary Chupa to win the girls 14 doubles title at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. Collins and Bodine each reached the singles quarterfinal round.

Anthony Barrancotto placed third in the 12 singles with wins over the No. 12, No. 4 and No. 7 seeds. Julia Sikorski reached the semifinal round.

In the 18 competition in Tampa, George Navas was second, Nicholas Berning reached the consolation semifinal round and 13-year-old Alexandra Cercone played to the round of 16.

Alexandra Kitchen reached the round of 16 in singles and won the consolation draw.

Among the winners in the New Years Kickoff at Tampa Palms Country Club were Morgan Basil in the girls 18, Krafen Mihajlov in boys 14 and Damian Rossi in boys 16.

Consolation winners included Abby Wright (girls 16), Dalila Chiadmi (18), Joaquin Bobillo (boys 14) and Alex Fisch (16).

Yurina Kunishima won the girls 18 singles in the Countryside Winter Junior Rookie and Alexandra Biver collected the girls 12 consolation.

Second seed Anthony Barrancotto upset top seed Dylan Tozier of Tampa to win the boys 14-and-under singles title in last weekend's Buckhorn Springs Junior Championships. Natalie Boruk was a girls 14 finalist and Joanna Boruk won the 14 consolation.

ADULT STATE RANKINGS: USTA Florida released its 2005 final state rankings with Ria Graham No. 1 in the 65-and-over division.

Karen Killen is No. 6 in the 35; Debbie Hobbs No. 9 in the 45 and No. 13 in the 50; Karen Phillips tied for No. 9 in the 60.

Among the men were Alex Deeb leading the 50 division in No. 1 and No. 4 in 55; Steve Talner No. 9, Michael Erbe No. 14 and Jeff Winkler No. 16 in 45; Mark Wagner No. 2 in the 40; Mark Taylor No. 7 and Jonathan Bloom No. 11 in 35; Jason Horwitz No. 15 in 30; Jeswin Jolly No. 4 and Michael Halisky No. 14 in the open.

In the 55, Marc Mazo is No. 3, Bill Christensen No. 8 and Gerry Barna No. 11 behind St. Petersburg's Mike Reilly in the No. 1 position.

COMING UP: East Lake Woodlands hosts its Adult Winter NTRP this weekend. Register for the men's and women's singles and doubles state-sanctioned event today. Call 785-2212. ... Treasure Bay hosts its Treasure Island Rookie Tournament on Feb. 18-20 for juniors 18 and under. Call 360-6062. ... St. Petersburg Tennis Center hosts its Adult Championships on Feb. 25-27 for men and women. Call 823-2225.

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

[Last modified February 2, 2006, 02:15:36]