Many renew friendships in Sullivan event

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 10, 2001

Every year since 1968, players have come from near and far to participate in Dan Sullivan's invitational tournament.

This season's event was no different, as 32 men and seven women gathered during the holidays for a morning of round-robin competition, followed by a social at Sullivan's.

Former students of the longtime tennis professional -- such as Mike Newberry, an artist living in Greece; national 50-and-over champion Larry Turville of Ohio, Orlando teaching professional Jim Oescher and Bill Kopecky of Atlanta -- gathered to renew friendships, catch up on activities and compete for annual bragging rights.

"All these guys have more fun," Sullivan said. "They come from all parts of the country. It's a beautiful thing to see."

Jeff Davis and Sam Vuille were responsible for organizing the group of players into the men's round robin format staged at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center.

At the end of five rounds, the top two players in each of the two groups battled in a four-person round robin.

The top players were Davis, Vuille, Newberry and Dave Anderson. Joy Ackerman was first in the women's competition.

"We had agreed beforehand that if there were a tie after the final four doubles round robin," said Davis, "we would play head-to-head in a tie-breaker."

As it turned out, Davis and Vuille tied and played to a singles nine-point tie-breaker that Davis won 5-4.

"This is always fun," Vuille said. "It's a great opportunity to catch up on what everyone's been doing. You know everybody there, so there is great comaraderie."

Vuille has played in practically every Sullivan event since Vuille's first one in 1972.

Taught by Sullivan when Vuille was 7 years old, St. Petersburg Country Club's director is dedicated to honoring his former instructor, as are many of the participants.

"When I was a young pro about 34 or so and working at the St. Pete Tennis Center, we had hardly any junior players," Sullivan said. "I started offering half-hour lessons for a dollar. Before I knew it, I had 20 to 30 kids.

"It just blossomed from there," he said. "Soon, the parents began to play and membership at the center rose to 500, including 86 juniors."

Before settling down as a teaching pro, Sullivan had an impressive career as a player. He was ranked as high as 29th in the nation.

Upon settling in St. Petersburg, Sullivan began a career of teaching that spans nearly 50 years.

"I had many emotions watching the players here," Sullivan said of the invitational. "It's hard to believe that those playing were some of those little kids I taught and are now all grown up and we're friends."

Though turning 81 today, Sullivan is active in the nurturing of players.

His business card reads "Have Racquet Will Travel." Sullivan suspects that will not change any time soon.

SATELLITE LEADER: Leading the 11-team Satellite Ladies Doubles League through the holiday break is Feather Sound Country Club.

In 10 matches, Feather Sound lost just two by one point each and tied once to net 126 points. Defending champion Innisbrook completed the first half of the season with 125 points.

The two teams were to play Tuesday.

Representing Feather Sound are Donna Dilonardo and Martha Wells in No. 1, DeDe Natale and Terry Hubner, No. 2; captain Jan Cox and Terry Connors, No. 3; Susan Powers and Debbie Komarnicki, No. 4; Sue Bedore and Jane Gordon, No. 5; co-captain Karen Augustine and Marilyn Quackenbush, No. 6; Maggie Smith and Robyn Williams, No. 7 and Pearl Schultz and Meredith Chiarelli, No. 8.

The teams of Augustine and Quackenbush and Smith and Williams were unbeaten in the opening half.

PADL'S TOP TEAM: Racquet Club I completed the 24-team Pinellas Area Doubles League in first place. Countryside II was second and East Lake II third.

On Thursday, action resumes with Racquet Club I playing host to Racquet Club II.

Defending the Racquet Club's top seeding will be Lynn Sayler and Barbara Boucek in the No. 1 position, captain Loida Lufkin and Sandy Martin at No. 2, Peggy Rowley and Chris Agee at No. 3, Ann Rambo and Rosemary Uebel at No. 4 and Carol Swanick and Cheryl Fryer at No. 5.

60-PLUS CHAMPION: Shipwatch Tennis Club defeated Countryside 3-0 in the Fall 60-Plus Men's Doubles League to capture the title among nine teams.

Shipwatch lost no team matches during the season. Countryside had one loss before playing Shipwatch.

Against Countryside, John Finlayson and Henry VanDrunen won in three sets at No. 1. Jim Mullins and Leon Hibbs, in No. 2, and Charlie Brusovich and Alan Smith, No. 3 both, each won in straight sets.

SENIOR LEAGUE: The women's 4.0 division of the USTA Florida Section Senior Doubles League started its season last weekend with Treasure Island I scoring a 2-1 win over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club.

Susan Hobbs and captain Patti Prestera won in straight sets in the No. 1 position. Lynn Klein and Carol Hancock rallied from a second-set loss for a win at No. 2. Ann Worthington and Joan Plaster fell in three sets at No. 3.

Treasure Island I plays host to Safety Harbor Spa on Saturday, and Treasure Island II travels to Bardmoor.

THIS WEEKEND: The state's first designated singles competition for juniors will be staged in the area.

The 10-and-under boys and girls will be at Royal Racquet Club, 12-year-old boys and girls at McMullen Tennis Complex, girls 14 at Seminole Lakes and boys 14 at Bardmoor. The 16-year-old boys and girls will be in Lakeland and the 18-year-olds at Tampa Tennis Complex.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright