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Gumbo Classic 'all about celebrating'

By NANCY MORGAN
Published November 8, 2007

Frenchy's Gumbo Tennis Classic at the McMullen Tennis Complex this month promises to be one of its best since the tournament began 15 years ago.

The men's, women's and mixed doubles contest is Nov. 16-18 and will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentoring agency that serves Pinellas, Hernando and Citrus counties.

"This year's tournament is all about celebrating," BBBS event coordinator Sally Tietz said. "We're celebrating the 15th year of the tournament, the 40th year of Big Brothers Big Sisters and all the players that participate in the tournament.

"There are a lot of long-term tennis players that play each year in this tournament and some that come to the area specifically to play."

This year's contest will feature the women's 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 divisions on the hard courts, along with the men's and mixed 3.5 and 4.5. Divisions on the soft courts include women's 3.5 and 4.5 alongside men's and mixed 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 divisions.

"One of the things we're going to do this year to help keep things moving is to essentially have two tournament desks," said Erick Chall, tournament director with Krishnan Anandan. "We'll have one desk set up for the soft court play and another for the hard court. I'll be overseeing both, but I'll also have some of my staff working each of the desks."

Over the years the tournament has generated $15,000-20,000, and Tietz is projecting at least $25,000 this year.

"The cash and product donation from our presenting sponsor, Home Shopping Network, plus our silent auction is huge," Tietz said, "and it's going to help us increase what we've raised in the past. It takes about $1,000 to make and support a match in our program. Last year we served around 1,300 children and there are about 300 now on a waiting list, which is only about a fifth of the population in need. This tournament is one of our top fundraisers and very important to our budget."

Players have until Friday to register either at www.tennislink.usta.com/tournaments with tournament ID 153305706 or by calling Tietz at 518-8860, ext. 231.

If not playing in the three-day contest, spectators are encouraged to attend, starting with the Nov. 15 draw party at Frenchy's Saltwater Cafe for a $10 fee. In addition to hors d'oeuvres and drinks, there's an opportunity to get a jump-start on the bidding in the silent auction.

"For the first time we're going to have a hospitality court at McMullen that will have an improvement and increase in beverages and food items," Tietz said. "If not playing I would encourage anyone to come out to watch some tennis, get a jump on holiday shopping through the silent auction and just enjoy a great weekend."

NET SHOTS: Claiming singles championships in the SPTC Adults and Senior Vets Tournament were Nik Sukhasam men's 40-and-over, Jeff Winkler (50) and Wallace Ryan (80). Sheharyar Wali was a finalist in the men's open.

- Among the winners in last month's Seminole Lake Tennis Center Octoberfest were top seed Alyssa Bellini in the girls 16-and-under, No. 2 Agatha Amborzy (14), Iana Nikolaeva (12) and Kara Kucin (18). Playing to the final round were Theressa Tong in the girls 10, Aaron Carey boys 10 and Adam Ambrozy 12.

- More than 100 women entered the inaugural Pretty in Pink doubles tournament Nov. 1 at Eastlake Woodlands Country Club. Competition in four NTRP playing levels resulted in Wendy Brickman and Marlene Drum claiming the 3.0 title, Diana Gale and Cindy Frank the 3.5, Mary Gordon and Kim Damico the 4.0 and Karen Randazzo and Judi Morris the 4.5.

- Eastlake Woodlands hosted its club mixed doubles championships last weekend for nearly 50 players. Karen Killen and Craig Hajdich defended their top seeding in the 4.5, as did Ellen Johnson and Desmond Killen in the 3.5. No. 2 Janet Loomis and Charlie Abell won the 4.0.

Consolation winners were Rena Khawam and Alberto Pagani in the 4.0 and Gillian Irving and Bob Goetz in 3.5.

- Last month, Terry Tetzlaff of Clearwater earned a bronze medal for his third-place finish in the men's 60-64 singles competition in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

LEAGUE NEWS: Next week, Florida's 7.0 state senior champion Treasure Bay travels to Orlando for the National Eastern Mixed Doubles Championship on Nov. 15-18.

- Countryside Country Club's 3.0 senior men's team was winless in last month's USTA National League Championship in Indian Wells, Calif. In 2-1 losses to USTA sections Southern and Caribbean, David Buell and Ed Ostiguy collected Countryside's only wins. Against Mid-Atlantic, Ostiguy and Kyle Duncan posted a win in No. 2, as did Buell and Richard Boderek in No. 3 over Texas.

COMING UP: The Pete Wolfberg 16th Annual Championships are Saturday-Monday for juniors at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call 823-2225. ... A Husband-Wife Tournament for combined ages 100 to 120 is Nov. 14-17 at the SPTC. Call 823-2225. ... The YMCA of the Suncoast Bardmoor Branch is staging a Round Robin Doubles Tournament on Nov. 17 at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club with proceeds to benefit the YMCA's Financial Assistance program. Call 394-9622.

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 7, 2007, 21:31:57]