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Doubles teams aid area kids

By NANCY MORGAN
Published November 9, 2006

A record number of players enjoyed a weekend of good tennis, outstanding Florida weather and Frenchy's famous gumbo at the 14th annual Gumbo Tennis Classic at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex.

The men's, women's and mixed doubles contest is a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters that serves Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties. Last year, more than 1,000 children benefited from the agency's services.

With 376 players on 178 teams in 15 events, tournament director Krishnan Anandan scheduled matches at nearby clubs, thanks to Rick Workman at Countryside Country Club and Donna Coddington and Val Schaefer at Royal Racquet Club.

"The competition was outstanding in all the divisions from the beginning," Anandan said.

"I brought 32 players from my club in Pittsburgh. I love the area and the event and I have a longstanding friendship with Frenchy. Plus, this weather beats the two feet of snow in Erie."

In the women's 5.0 division, Judi Morris and Linda Thomson upended Humane Society open-division winners Donna Roberts and Emily Foster in a three-set final. Janet Poort teamed with Karen Randazzo to clinch the 4.5 title in straight sets, as did Susan Hobbs and Ann Worthington in the 22-team 4.0. Cindy Feldman and Cindy Harrison rallied from a first-set loss to win the 3.0 in three, as did Rena Khawan and Kirsten Willis in 3.5.

Three of the men's doubles finals were extended to three sets, including Barndon Anandan and Marq Foster in the 5.0, Ken Emery and Will Mashburn 4.0 and Sal Campanero and Larry Nickerson (3.5). Joe Campbell and C.C. Walker recorded a straight-sets win in 3.0, as did Bill Christensen and Marc Mazo (4.5).

Three-set finals also were common in the mixed doubles finals. Priscilla Duertte and Rafael Array battled through three against Erin Heeder and Nick Buoni in the 5.0, Karen Randazzo and Craig Hajdich over Susan Kiniry and Mark Whitwell in the 4.5 and Barbara Soto and Ken Emery against Donna Coddington and Troy Felland in 4.0 and Martha and Jim Nadar over Charlotte Tao and John Hall in 3.5. Jena and Justin Larue won the 3.0 title.

Michael Preston, A.K.A. Frenchy, has seen the tournament gain momentum in the past few years and predicts an even bigger increase.

"My involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters goes way back, having been a big brother at one point, and I've been on their board for some time," he said. "Next year, this tournament is going to be a USTA-sanctioned one. I think with the leadership of Krishnan and Kim (Cashman) at McMullen, it's going to be pretty exciting for the tennis community."

Cashman, Clearwater's community tennis director, was impressed with the number of three-set final matches and felt the scores were good indicators of the level of competition throughout the weekend.

"We're so excited to have had 376 players and such good competition," Cashman said. "I hope we had as successful a time raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's such a great organization that affects the lives of kids."

NET SHOTS: Among the winners in last weekend's 14th annual Tennis Classic, a benefit for Pasco County's Good Samaritan Health Clinic, were Wendall Walker and John Williams in the men's 4.0, Malcolm Slive and Ira Kaufman (3.5), Andrew Gellady and Marty Satinoff (3.0) and Ben Kronk and Trevor Hubbard (open).

Among women, winners were Betsy Wunderlich and Marie Hanff in 4.0, Kathleen Annichiarico and Denise Simon (3.5) and Martha Gray and Janie Bifulco (3.0).

Mixed doubles winners were Karen Goldberg and Kronk in the open, Deborah Ramenda and Gary Needleman (4.0) and Ellen and David Hubbard (3.5).

The tournament raised about $100,000 for the free health clinic in New Port Richey.

- Juan Segovia played to the round of 16 in last weekend's USTA National Men's 35-and-over Clay Court Championships in Daytona Beach.

- Alexander Saltiel teamed with Baker Newman to win the boys 12-and-under doubles in last month's USTA Florida State Doubles Championships in Daytona Beach. Second-seed Saltiel and Newman beat top seeds Robert Dvorak and Samuel Lampman in an pro-set match.

Saltiel teamed with Tampa's Blair Martin to finish second in the mixed 12 division. Other state finalists were Emily Dvorak and Dominic Cotrone of Bradenton in the mixed 14. Emily Dvorak was a finalist in the girls 14 with Julie Sabacinski. Lindsay Dvorak and Brennan Boyajian of Weston finished second in the 18 mixed.

Third-place finishes were earned by Lindsay Dvorak and Jessica Yanoff of Delray Beach in the girls 18, Rebecca Bodine and Alexandra Alford of Destin (girls 14).

- Julia Sikorski in the girls 14 and Tahira Green in the 10 were among the finalists in last month's Seminole Lake Tennis Academy Junior Octoberfest.

Consolation winners included Alexandra Kitchen in the girls 12 and Aaron Ellison in the boys 18.

- The top three finishers in last month's 22nd annual Charity Pro-Am Tournament at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club were Adrian Pagani and Troy Holland, Marq Foster and Jon Bean and Andres Molina and Randy Meisner. The event raised $35,000 for All Children's Hospital.

LEAGUE NEWS: Feather Sound Country Club senior men's 3.0 team finished fourth in the USTA Senior League National Championships in Tucson, Ariz.

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

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 23:47:14]