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Rain doesn't detract from Ultimate experience

By NANCY MORGAN
Published August 30, 2006

The Ultimate Tennis League, formerly known as the K-Swiss League, crowned its summer singles champions last weekend, despite inclement weather.

The weekend playoffs were at Countryside Country Club in Clearwater, but Sunday's finals were moved to various clubs throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties as players tried to dodge the raindrops.

In all, nine women's titles and 12 men's were sought by players ranging from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for the Tampa Bay area championships, and Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties for the Southwest.

After the area champions were named, regional championships were played in the women's 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions, and the men's 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0.

Tom Wise in the 4-5-minus division was among Pasco players advancing to the playoff weekend. Wise recorded a 6-1 record in the regular season and earned a No. 4 seed in the eight-player playoff.

"After I won my first match 6-4, 7-5, I played Jamie Garcia," Wise said. "I played him three sets in the regular season and three sets again in the playoffs. I think my stamina gave me a little edge." In the final against Mike Purvis of St. Petersburg, Wise lost 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Mike Bargstadt of Lutz qualified for the 4.5-minus playoff after posting a 7-0 record to earn the No. 2 playoff seed. Facing No. 3 Purvis in a semifinal, Bargstadt fell 6-3, 6-3.

"He pretty much overpowered me, plus I gave up 12-13 years, and that helped him," Bargstadt said.

Joining Purvis as Tampa Bay champions were Kelly Hansen women's 3.0, Kirsten Willis 3.5, Christy Whitehurst 4.0, Sharon Dehnel (4.5-minus), Leanne Hoffman 4.5, Stan Maxwell men's 4.0 and Michael Juno (5.5 men).

Advancing to win regional titles were Hoffman, Willis and Maxwell. Hansen's region final was postponed due to rain.

Yet to complete the Tampa Bay final round are Tarpon Springs' Marian Fiero and Tampa's Donna Zambito in the women's 4.0-minus, Micheal Leopardi of Clearwater and Mark Schmidt of Tampa in men's 2.5, Jakub Knitter of Palm Harbor and Henry Dinnan of Tampa in 3.5-minus and Safety Harbor's John Kenny and Odessa's Marvin Wilhite in men's 6.0-minus.

According to league organizers, players have a two-week period to complete their matches.

The Ultimate Tennis League is registering for its fall league, slated to begin Sept. 16. Registration deadline is Sept. 8. Go online to www.ultimatetennis.com.

MIXED LEAGUE NEWS: Last weekend, East Lake Woodlands beat Royal Racquet Club 2-1 in a 8.0 adult mixed doubles playoff match to join Countryside Country Club 7.0 and Royal Racquet Club's 9.0 as St. Petersburg/Clearwater USTA Adult League champions.

- Alaina Ewing won the girls 12-and-under singles title in Hunter's Green Rookie III.

- No. 7 Tyler Brown was a finalist in the boys 16 in last weekend's SPTC Junior Super Series in St. Petersburg.

COMING UP: The Seminole Lake Tennis Center Academy Challenge for juniors starts Saturday. Call 394-1733. ...The Fall Junior Rookie Tournament is at East Lake Woodlands Sept. 9-11. Call (727) 785-2212.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, (727) 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified August 30, 2006, 06:41:05]