ZTA to host St. Patrick's Day tournament

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 14, 2001

Ben Macaya didn't start playing tennis until he was nearly 30, but once he started he couldn't stop.

Now, about 20 years later, Macaya plays three times a week in Zephyrhills.

"I grew up in the Philippines and didn't play any tennis until after I graduated from college and was working," Macaya said. "I was 27 years old when I started and I've been playing since."

Macaya, his wife and two sons moved to Zephyrhills in 1988 from New York City.

Upon arriving in Florida, Macaya immediately got involved in the Zephyrhills Tennis Association. Games at the McCannon Courts in Zephyr Park were always available and Macaya took advantage of the opportunities.

"I never have taken any lessons for tennis," Macaya said. "I've just sort of learned as I've played. When I began playing, I got hooked and see tennis as a great way to exercise. All my family plays when everyone gets a chance.

"Our sons go to school in Orlando, so it's more difficult for them to play except when they're home. But, when they're here, we all get together to play."

In January's ZTA Millennium Tournament, Macaya participated in singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles. The two-week annual competition, directed by ZTA president Barry Roades, featured fewer overall divisions, but more opportunities for championship titles. There were main draw, consolation and playback champions as well as runners-up named for men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Macaya played his way to the men's singles championship and defeated Paul Citrin in the final. He was also the playback runner-up in men's doubles with Dan LaBang and in mixed doubles with Carol Hatfield.

"When I play singles, I try to be consistent and keep getting the ball back," Macaya said. "I like to use power and angles, but it depends on how the ball comes to me. I vary my return according to what I get."

When playing mixed doubles, Macaya said, he plays more aggressively, while in men's doubles he pretty much plays his own game.

"I haven't tried any of the leagues around the area, although I've thought about it," he said. "I played a tournament in Orlando a while back, but mostly I play here at the Zephyrhills courts."

This month, the ZTA stages its annual St. Patrick's Day One-Day Doubles Tournament. Macaya doesn't play on Saturdays, but will be there to cheer on his fellow players.

Players interested in participating in this month's ZTA tournament, whether a ZTA member or not, should contact Roades at (813) 779-9084.

USA LEAGUE TENNIS: Competition began this month for 38 men's and women's teams in USA League Tennis. Skill-level divisions include 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 for women and 3.0 to 5.5 for men.

Among the women's teams are two from the Westin Innisbrook Resort, one in the 3.5 Red division and another in the 3.5 Blue. Judy Murphy captains the 12-player Innisbrook squad in the 3.5 Blue and Marilyn Linker leads the Red team.

So far, the Blue team is 1-0 and meets the Hernando-Pasco traveling team Saturday.

Linker's team of 12 faces Feather Sound Country Club on Saturday with hopes of adding a win to its 0-2 record.

Competition continues through June.

COMING UP: National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) evaluations this month begin at 7 p.m. at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club on March 23 and at Countryside Country Club on March 30. Call Bardmoor at (727) 391-2205 and Countryside at (727) 796-1136 for information. An experimental women's format in the Suncoast Singles Tennis league begins next month. Team A with four players whose skill ranges from 4.0 to 5.0 NTRP levels and Team B with four players from 2.5 to 3.5 NTRP levels will compete biweekly among other clubs. Clubs may have a Team A or Team B or both, or several of each. For questions, call Trish Mainard at (727) 784-8439. The Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club hosts this month's Suncoast Tennis Singles activity. Call Barbara at (727) 397-4231 or Jerry at (727) 398-7108 for information.

LOCAL TOURNAMENTS: A NTRP level men's and women's singles tournament, Train Smart Tennis' Circuit No. 3, is this weekend at Arbor Green. Call Alan Williams at (813) 962-4253 today to enter the state-sanctioned competition that offers NTRP levels 3.0 to 5.0. The Temple Terrace Recreation Department hosts its Second Annual Junior Championship this weekend. Girls and boys singles action in the 18-and-under, 16s and 14s is available in the state-sanctioned event. Call Manny Mariani at (813) 989-7178. The Tampa Open 2001 is March 30-April 1 at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. Wheelchair competition in men's and women's singles and doubles, plus junior and quad divisions are offered. Call Shayne Wilkerson at (813) 672-2573.

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