Daytona Beach gives state tennis group a moving deal

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 10, 2000

Local leaders had a voice in making tennis history last weekend. The state tennis association's 38-member board of directors unanimously approved relocation of its headquarters from the Pompano Beach area to Daytona Beach.

Since its inception in 1949, the headquarters have been in South Florida. Ed Turville of St. Petersburg was selected the association's first president in 1949, a position he held for five years. He later became president of the U.S. Tennis Association from 1962-1963.

"I think this is really a positive move for tennis in Florida," said Turville, "and I am most pleased with the way it passed our board. We will now have a facility that will not only provide for our needs but also the needs of others. Plus, there's the opportunity to offer a centralized training center that we haven't been able to do in the past."

The board of directors approved a proposal from Daytona Beach that includes a $2-million, 24-court facility on a 12-acre site with a 6,000-square-foot building, of which 3,500 will be leased to the Florida tennis staff. Daytona Beach will pay $1.2-million and Volusia County $500,000 for development of the facility that will then be owned and operated by the city.

The state association will hold at least 10 events there bringing in an estimated 5,000 players over the next 10 years. Officials predict an economic impact of about $4.5-millon during that time.

"This is really an exciting opportunity for Florida," said Doug Booth, the organization's executive director since 1991. "It gives us a chance to make our key events really special."

The board's approval is not the final step in the process, Booth added, but a key one for its success. A delegate vote is scheduled at the organization's annual meeting in October.

In the meantime, developers in good faith have begun the permit process and representatives from both sides have joined to establish lease requirements so that after the delegate vote and, hopefully, approval, work can begin immediately. It will require 12-18 months to complete the project.

"I suspect our delegates will vote to support this," said Booth. "The majority of our delegates are also on the board that voted unanimously to support it."

The U.S. Tennis Association Florida Section, the governing body of tennis in the state, includes more than 35,000 members, almost 200 member organizations and 600 volunteers who work with 15 full-time staff members to promote and develop the game of tennis in Florida.

"Besides having a home where we can hang a shingle are the new partnership opportunities with the Central Florida Sports Commission, the City of Daytona Beach, Volusia County, Consolidated Tomoka Land Company, the LPGA and the Daytona 500 people," said Sue DeLong, past president of the USTA Florida Section (1996-1997) and current board member. "These all offer outstanding opportunities for partnership."

Phil Girardi, district director for the Pinellas-Pasco county area in the USTA Florida Section, was pleasantly surprised at the proposal from Daytona Beach and happy with the board's support.

"This is quite an opportunity with a package from Daytona Beach that is so impressive," said Girardi. "To have the office more centrally located will make the staff more accessible throughout the state, which should result in positive results for us in terms of growing the game. Plus, a complete center such as the one proposed lends itself to a lot of different directions an organization could pursue."

SUPER SENIORS: Innisbrook's 3-0 victory over Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club and Timber Pines' win over Feather Sound Country Club resulted in Timber Pines winning the women's 3.5 Super Seniors Doubles League championship and the right to advance to this month's state tournament. Bardmoor and Timber Pines were tied with 4-2 records before the last match of the season..

The state tournament is May 18-22 at various clubs in Pinellas.

TI PR0-AM: A full slate of players competed in the 18th annual Raymond James and Associates, Inc. Charity Pro-Am Tennis Tournament last weekend at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. Amateur players teamed with teaching professionals to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. According to chair Shirley Stein, $25,500 will be donated to the ACS as a result of the two-day event.

Gail Nickerson teamed with Kristen Hannah to win the women's A division, and Tom Grayson paired with USF's top player, Fabio Tintori, to win the men's A. B winners were Thea McDougal and Katica Robinson for the women and Bob Taylor and Sam Vuille for the men.

Runners-up included Susan Hobbs and Kiki Flynn (women's A), Bobbie Westmark and Alicia Kerstyn (women's B), Brad Welch and Roscoe Tanner (men's A) and Johnny Clark and Jeff Davis (men's B).

TEAM TENNIS: Plans are under way for this summer's USA Team Tennis for youths ages 18 and under. Competition will be in the Red division for beginning players ages 6-12, White for intermediate levels ages 10-14, and Blue for beginner- to advanced-level players ages 13-18. Players may register through June 16 by calling Sam Vuille (867-9105), Phil Girardi (360-6062) or Doug Woods (893-7301).

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