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Letter to the editor

Event to benefit Alstott's foundation

By NANCY MORGAN, Times Sports Correspondent
Published January 23, 2008

When Denise Reaves took on the role of tournament chair for next month's charity tennis tournament at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, she saw it as a win-win situation.

The Feb. 15-17 men's, women's and mixed doubles event will benefit the newly formed Mike Alstott Family Foundation and will showcase the member-owned club and its new clubhouse.

"There are a lot of excited people at the club to make this work, and it is a dynamic process of organizing," Reaves said.

Among the key volunteers assisting Reaves are Janice Stone and Tony Ruggiero, as well as Victoria Hess sponsors, Chris Jones (draw party chair), Anna McKenzie (programs), Carol Dunne and Sandy Houser (silent auction, raffle), Faye Bates and Kathie Mayhall (VIP reception, dinner), Karen Winiecki-Gaiser (goodie bags), Ann Worthington (treasurer) and Jose Campos (tournament director).

"In speaking with Rich Clements, executive directive of the foundation, Mike Alstott was interested in getting the Tampa Bay area involved in something," Reaves said.

The Mike Alstott Family Foundation was formed last year during the Buccaneers' offseason with a goal of "uplifting the minds, hearts and spirits of families and children." The foundation will work with a variety of non-profit organizations, including the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Pinellas and Special Olympics.

The tournament's title sponsors are Mr. and Mrs. Mel Sembler,and its presenting sponsor is Bright House Networks.

Competition includes men's, women's and mixed doubles in open, 4.5, 4.0 and 3.5 playing levels. There is a 12-team limit in all but open divisions and mixed, which are limited to eight teams. Matches will be two out of three sets, with the third set a 10-point tiebreak. Cost is $50 for one division and $75 for two. Deadline to register is 2 p.m. on Feb. 9.

Winners, finalists and consolation winners qualify for the 2009 Tournament of Champions, sponsored by the Suncoast Tennis Foundation.

For more information, contact Reaves at dbreaves@gmail.com or Campos at 367-5479.

NET SHOTS: A record number 170-plus players competed in last weekend's Suncoast Tennis Foundation's Tournament of Champions staged at Eastlake Woodlands Country Club. Among the women's doubles winners were Liz Leigh and Karen Randazzo (4.5), Kim Damico and Mary Gordon (4.0), Kelly Wilhite and Kirsten Willis (3.5) and Jane Dizona and June Williams (3.0). Claiming men's doubles titles were Matt Holsopple and Sean Kepinski (open), Craig Hajdich and Mike Hooper (4.5), Ken Emery and Harry Johnson (4.0) and Tom Johnson and Terry Midden (3.5).

Mixed doubles winners were Randazzo and Hajdich (4.5), Lea Avery and Ken Emery (4.0), Wilhite and Justin LaRue (3.5) and Kim and Dan Murphy (3.0).

- Samantha Hodges of Treasure Island teamed with Amanda Mitchell of Pinellas Park to win the girls 12-and-under doubles in last weekend's Treasure Bay Rookie Doubles Tournament. Clearwater's David Hopp and Alex Nguyen won the boys 14 title.

- Mark Wagner defended his top seeding in last weekend's Tom McKinley Memorial Tournament, an adult designated contest, in Naples to win the men's 45-and-over division.

- In the Super Seniors Grand Prix in Fort Myers, Marc Mazo teamed with Alex Deeb to win the 55 doubles. In Cape Coral, Bob Meyerdierks won the 80 doubles with Lyn Abbott.

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 January 22, 2008, 22:42:13]