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Roscoe Tanner says he's still a member at Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club. But he no longer teaches there.
By SHARON L. BOND
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 21, 2001
TREASURE ISLAND -- Roscoe Tanner no longer is one of the tennis pros at the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club. He left earlier this month, having worked there since Sept. 21.
Tanner, whose rocket left-hand deliveries kept him among the world's top 10 tennis players between 1970 and 1980, still teaches at the Westchase Community Swim and Tennis Center in Hillsborough County.
Both Tanner and Treasure Island officials confirmed he left the job, and both said there were no ill feelings.
"They are bringing in someone new because they want to structure things a little bit differently," Tanner, 49, said Friday. "Everything is fine. I'm still a member there. I think it is a tremendous place."
Tanner said he knew going into the job that changes could be coming. "We talked about that in the beginning. We said we would try it out for a few months." He did not elaborate on the changes.
Dick Rahter, commodore of the club, said things just didn't work out.
"I wish it had worked out better. There is not any ill feeling on either side," Rahter said. He would not elaborate either.
When Tanner accepted the position as head pro at Westchase early last year, he said he saw it as a long-term deal even though he had only a one-year contract. His hiring was controversial with Westchase center members because he took over duties from a pro who had been at the club a long time.
He remained head pro at Westchase while teaching at Treasure Island and currently lives in Treasure Island.