Women's doubles leagues ready to begin

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 29, 2001

When women's doubles leagues begin weekly competition at the Westin Innisbrook Resort next month, Pasco players will be on the courts.

First to begin play will be the Satellite Ladies Doubles League. On Tuesday, Innisbrook plays the Seminole Lake Tennis Center, a newcomer to the league.

The Pinellas Area Doubles League opens play Sept. 13. Innisbrook's opponent in the match hasn't been determined. "Most of our team members are the same except for two new players," said Marilyn Linker, second-year co-captain for Innisbrook in the Satellite League. "Doubles teams have shifted around a bit, but otherwise everything's the same."

Defending the No. 1 position again this year are Maureen Sternberg and Debbie Weber, followed by co-captain Anne Hammond and Marie Hanff in No. 2 and Debbie McGinley and Cheryl Cravener in No. 3. Melanie Nyman and Betsy Wunderlich moved up to No. 4 while Josie Doucette and Bonny Boosales remain in the No. 5 position.

Linker and Kay Fitzpatrick make up Innisbrook's No. 6 team, followed by Judy Murphy playing with either Midge Spaulding or Andrea Sainsbury in No. 7. Newcomers Jean McKenzie and Kathi Roberts are in No. 8.

Innisbrook finished second last year in the Satellite League after being edged out by a single point by Feather Sound Country Club. Since joining the league in 1996, Innisbrook has won the overall title four times and finished fourth in 1998.

This year, 13 Satellite teams will compete in a triple round robin format.

Last year's fifth-place finish in the Pinellas Area Doubles League was Innisbrook's best-ever among 24 teams. This year, 26 teams will challenge for the top honor, won by the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg.

"Last year's record may be hard to top," said McGinley, Innisbrook's captain in the PADL. "Our team is the same as last year with the exception of one player, and we're all seasoned league players. We'll give it our best shot at doing even better than last season."

Joining the Innisbrook team this year is Sue Luidens in the No. 5 position with Boosales. Playing together on USTA league teams gives the duo good experience on the court, said McGinley, and together they make a good addition to the team.

Luidens is replacing Boosales' partner, Phyllis Gary, who after competing in the National Senior Games this summer with Joan Holland is taking a year off to travel. Leading off for Innisbrook are Ria Graham and Kay Clarke in the No. 1 slot, McGinley and Sternberg are No. 2, Cravener and Holland are No. 3 and Doucette and Hammond are No. 4.

K-SWISS LEAGUE: The summer session of the K-Swiss Totally Tennis League concluded last weekend with semifinal and final action at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club.

Among the singles winners were May Laraya (5.0), Rene Lutthans (4.5) and Yvonne Reid (3.0) in women's competition and Paul Citrin (4.5-minus), Michael Bargstadt (4.0), George Chaconas (4.0-minus), Bruce Brownlee (3.5), David Wiggins (3.0) and Richard Laberge (2.5) in the men's.

The next session of flex-league tennis is Sept. 22-Nov. 18 with playoffs planned for Dec. 8 and 9 at a site to be determined. The deadline to register is Sept. 11. Call the K-Swiss office at (727) 865-0615 or visit its Web site www.ultimatetennis.com for information.

LABOR DAY IN ZEPHYRHILLS: The Zephyrhills Tennis Association is planning a Labor Day social at 8 a.m. Sept. 3 at the McCannon Courts in Zephyr Park. Call ZTA president Barry Roades at (813) 779-9084 for details.

UMPIRES AT U.S. OPEN: Among the more than 300 umpires officiating at the U.S. Open Championships in New York are Edward Wilson of Wesley Chapel, Steve Ullrich and Rod Polischeck of Tampa, Roger White of Belleair and Terry Logan of St. Petersburg. In all, 29 umpires from Florida will be involved in the Grand Slam event.

COUNTY LEAGUES: The Holiday Recreation Complex is accepting registration through Sept. 15 for mixed doubles leagues on Wednesday mornings and Friday evenings, and flex men's and women's singles leagues. There is a $10 cost per player per league. Call (727) 934-4198 for information.

At Veterans Park, doubles leagues for men and women begin the week of Sept. 23. Men play on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning Sept. 25, followed by the women on Friday mornings starting Sept. 28. The deadline to register is Sept. 17. The cost is $10 per player. Call the park at (727) 861-3052 for information. JUNIOR RESULTS: Asmaa Tazi of Wesley Chapel upset No. 2 seed Yumi Hasegawa of Wesley Chapel 6-0, 6-0 to win the girls 16-and-under singles trophy in this month's Junior Summertime Classic at Tampa Palms Country Club. Chris Gupta won the boys 10-and-under title in straight sets, as did top seed Nicole Mera in the girls 10-and-under division. Three-set champions included top seeds Laura Gioia in the girls 18s, Paige Kensrue in the girls 14s and Lindsay Dvorak in the girls 12s.

FOR GOOD HEALTH: Plans are underway for a fundraiser to be held Nov. 2-4 at the Paul Kronk Tennis Club in Crescent Oaks for the Good Samaritan Health Clinic in New Port Richey.

Renamed the Ariel Goldman Memorial Tennis Classic, the ninth annual doubles-only competition targeted 93.3 percent of last year's proceeds directly toward patient care. Any businesses or individuals interested in assisting, volunteering or playing in the tournament should call (727) 848-6851.

COMING UP: The First Coast Junior Designated tournament begins Saturday in Jacksonville for singles players 18 and under. ... East Lake Woodlands hosts the next adult state-sanctioned tournament Sept. 14-16. The Adult Fall Classic includes men's and women's age division singles and doubles. Call the club at (727) 785-2212 by the Sept. 11 deadline to enter. ... The Phil Green Tennis Academy at Safety Harbor Spa hosts a NTRP tournament, the Fall Classic, Sept. 21-23. Singles and doubles competition is available in five men's and women's rating levels. Call (727) 724-7729 to enter.

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