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By NANCY MORGAN
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 7, 2001
Tennis was not a sport Art Schultz played as a child, but it has been his primary game as an adult.
"I don't think we even had tennis offered in our high school," said Schultz, who grew up in Michigan. "I played some varsity baseball then, but had never even hit a tennis ball."
Schultz's wife, Dee, who played in high school, introduced her golfing husband to tennis with a noble whipping on the courts. After that, Schultz put his golf clubs in the closet and became an avid tennis player.
"After she soundly beat me, I took some lessons and went to as many clinics as I could," Schultz said. "I learned as much as I could."
A graduate of Michigan State, Schultz taught math for 36 years in his home state.
After about a dozen years teaching, Schultz was first asked to coach the girls tennis team and later the boys. In all, Schultz coached 25 years, 23 with the girls and 18 with boys.
"I attended clinics offered to high school coaches and learned so much from experts like Dennis Van der Meer, Chris Evert and (Nick) Bollettieri," Schultz said. "Our teams did all right, too, even though we competed with some private school teams. We had two state runners-up and that was pretty good."
Along with high school coaching duties, Schultz also played both tournament and league events. Competitive by nature, Schultz was a runner-up in a few of those. For the past 20 years, Schultz has directed a youth summer program for 7- to 13-year-olds for the city of St. Joseph, Mich. Although retired from teaching for two years, Schultz plans to continue directing the summer program.
"We're here in Zephyrhills about five months during the winter and then back to Michigan for their summer," Schultz said. "It's the best of both worlds because I get to play tennis year-round."
Last month, Schultz participated in the Zephyrhills Tennis Association's New Millennium Tournament. Three categories of competition were offered and Schultz played in all three. He earned a third-place finish in singles.
"I'm basically a baseline player when it comes to singles now," Schultz said. "I try to play steady and smart and use good tactics. In doubles, I play more of a net game."
Although Schultz did not win an event, he was selected to receive the tournament's sportsmanship award. According to ZTA president Barry Roades, Schultz was selected for the award not only because of his play in all three events, but because of his willingness to adapt to various levels of play and to fill in where necessary so all players would have a good time.
SENIOR MEN'S LEAGUE: Playoff action begins Saturday in the 3.5 division of the district's USTA Florida Section Senior Doubles League. North Division winner Westin Innisbrook and captain Joe Gari await the winner of a match between an Innisbrook team led by Dick Willets and the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg. Other 3.5 first-round playoff matches Saturday are the Renaissance Vinoy at Royal Racquet Club and Countryside Country Club at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg.
In the 4.0 division, Shipwatch Tennis Club's 2-1 win over Seminole Lakes last weekend clinched the division title.
District champions advance to the state tournament in May at a site to be determined.
SUPER SENIORS: The women's 60-plus league began Monday for four teams in the 3.5 division. Pasco and Pinellas players representing Innisbrook include captain Maureen Sternberg, Anne Hammond, Joan Holland, Phyllis Gary, Jean McKenzie, Marilyn Linker, Judy Murphy and Midge Spaulding. Monday, Innisbrook traveled to Shipwatch.
In men's super senior action, captain Gari and his Innisbrook squad clinched the 3.5 Flight 1 title last week with a second consecutive win over Willets' Innisbrook team. Winning were Willie Coquelet and Bill Schieman in No. 1, Gari and David Wisotsky in No. 2 and John Kuhn and Richard Hough No. 3.
Later this month, Innisbrook will enter a playoff with the Flight 2 winner from the St. Petersburg area.
COUNTY LEAGUES: Pasco County tennis leagues are in progress at both the Holiday Recreation Complex and Veterans Park in Hudson. At Holiday are men's and women's singles and mixed doubles; Veterans Park has men's and women's doubles. Call Holiday at (727) 934-4198 and Veterans Part at (727) 861-3033 for more information about league substitutions or upcoming activities.
COMING UP: One of four USA Tennis Ultimate Workshops will be offered Mar. 10 and 11 to area tennis enthusiasts interested in starting or helping to start USA Tennis programs. Jeff Davis of St. Petersburg, one of four full time USA Community Coordinators in the state, is directing the workshop at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in St. Petersburg. Davis may be reached at (727) 360-6543.
THIS WEEKEND: Juniors may enter the TPA Winter Challenge by contacting John Haggar at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg at (727) 527-6553 by Wednesday. Singles competition for players 18 and under is available. The Super Seniors Championships will begin its circuit in Pinellas County with its tournament at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Call tournament director Al Sarmiento at (727) 360-2643 before Friday's deadline. The second annual Time Warner Mixed Doubles Team Tennis Classic at the McMullen Tennis Complex combines three coed teams of mixed levels per team. Call (727) 669-1919 to enter.