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Letter to the editor

Tournament to benefit animal shelter

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published September 12, 2007

This month's charity tennis tournament offers a win-win situation for the tennis players who participate and the homeless animals that benefit.

The Humane Society of Pinellas Charity Tennis Tournament, scheduled Sept.26-30 at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater, is in its 14th year. There's women's, men's and mixed doubles competition on the court while refreshments, a silent auction and raffle drawings are planned off the court.

"There's always very competitive tennis in all the divisions, so even if you're not playing, it's fun to watch," tournament chairwoman Judy Foster said. "... Since we have become one of the most popular and largest charity events in the area ... we're limiting the players to 250."

Foster has been the tournament's only chair since its inception in 1993. Since the death of Foster's daughter Shannon Morton in 1996, the event has been played in her memory. Morton was a volunteer at the shelter.

To register before the 2 p.m., Sept. 22 deadline, call 791-8415.

LEAGUE NEWS:The Vinoy Vixens claimed the 3.5 women's title in this summer's South County Doubles League. Playing for the Vinoy were captain Tracey Williams, Patty Gaukel, Betsy Cureton and Wendy Wallace. The league's fall season begins Sept.19 for the women and Sept.28 for the men. Call 867-9175 for information.

- East Lake Woodlands' 6.5 women's team collected the USTA Adult Combo Doubles League title and will join Countryside's 7.5 and Royal Racquet Club's 8.5 squads at the state tournament in January.

- Rain-delayed Ultimate Tennis playoff rounds were completed last month in four women's divisions and three men's. Winners included: Anna Fotopoulos women's 5.0, Kathy Moll (women's 4.5-minus), Debra Wood (women's 4.0-minus) and Rachel Mayberry (women's 3.5-minus), Kent Wright (men's 6.0), Clark MacCullough (men's 6.0-minus) and Ron Bedlack (men's 5.5).

NET SHOTS: Shachaamah Brown, 8, and Anastasha Worlds, 9, will compete in the Little Mo National Championships in Austin, Texas, in October. Brown and Worlds advanced past local, state and region competitors to reach the national contest named for the late Maureen Connolly.

- Alexis Franco defended her top seeding to win the girls 10-and-under title in the Daytona Beach Junior Fall Championships.

- Courtney Grigsby won the girls 14 singles and Aaron Swartz the boys 10 in last weekend's East Lake Woodlands Rookie Tournament.

- Winners in last weekend's University of Tampa Battle included Becky Bodine (girls 18), Nicolous Halverson (boys 10) and Dan Stefan (boys 12).

- Amy Powell won the women's 3.0, Kirsten Wiilis the women's 3.5 and Craig Hajdich the men's 4.5 singles competition in this month's Clearwater NTRP Championships.

- The Seminole Lake Tennis Center's Challenge for juniors named top seeds Amy Lowther in the girls 14 and Aaron Carey in the boys 10 champions.

- Mason Beiler reached the boys 10 singles final in the Labor Day Championship Super Series and won doubles with Stephen Madonia of Lakeland.

COMING UP:The USTA Florida State Doubles Championship begins Saturday at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Call (386) 671-8926. ... The Clearwater Fall Championships are this weekend at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Call 669-1919. ... The Treasure Island Fall Rookie Tournament begins Sept.22. Call 367-5479.

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 September 11, 2007, 23:01:03]