Former teacher harnesses power to earn victories

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

After teaching in high school for 27 years, Margaret Groth decided it was time to retire, move to Florida and play tennis. In 1994, she left her Illinois teaching position, relocated to Port Richey and joined a tennis team.

"I really hadn't played much tennis before that, and I just started playing," Groth said. "I was on Monika Feller's K-Swiss team, and she suggested I take some lessons. I had a lot of power, but the ball was always all over the place."

Groth began lessons about four years ago with Judy Jeanette and hasn't stopped.

"After I began taking lessons from Judy, I played in one of her tournaments," Groth said. "I defeated Patty Jachimowicz, and later she called me about being her partner in a Thursday league."

That was the beginning of Groth's play in the Ladies Daylight Team League, one of several Nature Coast leagues organized by Jeanette.

The first year, Groth's team finished third. Last year's team was second. This year, with Groth as captain, the Spring Hill Alley Cats finished first among nine teams.

Roxanne DeAngeles and Margie Fader played the No. 1 position, Groth and Ute Villian No. 2, Thanga Nagarajan and Annette Foley No. 3, and Patty Webb and Jan Baldolato No. 4. Substitutes Gaenor Broffel, Ellie Murphy, Darlene Burky, Mattie Smouse and Aurora Rice also were strong contributors to the team's success, Groth said.

"This has really been the most pleasant team I've been on," Groth said. New teams are being formed for the fall session. Interested players should call Jeanette at (352) 848-0465.

MORE LEAGUE NEWS: A Men's Singles League for 4.0-plus players concluded with Steve Saxon of Brooksville taking first place with 23 points. Joe Homan of Brooksville was second with 19, and David Katcher of New Port Richey third with 17 among 22 players.

The Monday Night Mixed Up Doubles League for rookie players to the 3.0-plus levels was won by John Lewis of Spring Hill with 17 points. Spring Hill's Dennis Weeks and Al Pasion tied for second with 13 points each.

A free Junior Tennis Play Day is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 19 at the Delta Woods Park in Spring Hill. Players ages 6-18 are encouraged to attend and learn about the summer team tennis league. For details, call (352) 799-8999.

SUPER SENIORS: Innisbrook's 3.5 Super Seniors squad was the spoiler in the women's 60-and-over league with its 3-0 victory over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in Largo last week.

As a result, Timber Pines Tennis Club broke a tie with Bardmoor to win the league and advance to this month's state tournament. Eliminating Bardmoor were Innisbrook's Maureen Sternberg and Anne Hammond in No. 1, Marilyn Linker and Midge Spaulding in No. 2, and Judy Murphy and Phyllis Gary in No. 3.

Timber Pines' 3.5 women's team will join its 3.0 women's team, the men's 4.0 team from Shipwatch Tennis Club and the men's 3.5 squad from the St. Petersburg Tennis Center in the state tournament May 18-20 at Pinellas County sites.

USA ADULT LEAGUE: Innisbrook 3.5 women's team, which includes Pasco players, sustained its first loss in eight matches last week, falling to Countryside Country Club 3-2. Innisbrook winners were Diane Galemmo in No. 1 singles and Debbie McGinley and Cheryl Cravener in No. 1 doubles. Losing were Linda Weaver in No. 2 singles, Josie Doucette and Anne Hammond in No. 3 doubles, and Sue Luidens and Bonny Boosales in No. 2 doubles.

Despite the loss, Innisbrook is still in first place in the 3.5 Blue division, tied with East Lake at 7-1. They are followed closely by Feather Sound, Royal Racquet Club and Countryside with 6-2 records. Final matches are Saturday. COMING UP: Bardmoor hosts its Battle at Bardmoor tournament for juniors this weekend. Singles and doubles are planned. Call Maria Cercone at (727) 391-2205 by today. ... Memories in Clearwater, a singles tournament at the McMullen Tennis Complex, is May 20-22 for players 18 and younger. Call Krishnan Anandan at 669-1919 by May 17. ... The River Hills Doubles Championships are May 26-28 at the River Hills Country Club in River Hills. Call Kevin Scott in Valrico at (813) 653-3776.

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