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ZTA Labor Day tournament another successBy NANCY MORGAN
© St. Petersburg Times, It was a day of labor and love for the players who competed in the Zephyrhills Tennis Association's Labor Day Social on the McCannon Courts in Zephyr Park. Players mixed and matched in a team format created by ZTA president Barry Roades. The Samuel Gompers Stompers team edged past the Rockefeller Robber Barons 5-4 in a day of friendly, competitive tennis. "We always try to provide competition in a friendly atmosphere," Roades said, "as well as strive to meet the tennis needs of our members." Jim Nichols moved to the Zephyrhills area about a year ago to be closer to his friends in the ZTA. "I was coming over to play in Zephyrhills a couple of times a week and finally decided I should just move here," Nichols, 75, said. "Now I ride my bicycle almost every day to the courts." Nichols played tennis as a teenager, but stopped for 15 years until after retiring in 1983. Doubles is his favorite format and he enjoyed being on the winning team in the Labor Day event. "I've always liked sports, from swimming to kayaking to tennis," Nichols said. "Tennis is good exercise and gives you a chance to meet people. The Zephyrhills group is a very active club and I get to play a lot of tennis as well as meet a lot of people." Joe Higgins was also on the winning Stompers team. "We all get along really well together," Higgins said. "There are no superstars. The club has found the magic formula for creating socially competitive play that everyone who participates enjoys." Higgins, who has lived in Zephyrhills for about 15 years, started playing tennis 10 years ago. He and his wife, Linda, play almost daily. "Tennis is a good family activity," Higgins said. "Linda has the most fun and provides hugs for all the first-timers. I play tennis like it's a chess game and analyze every shot. Then, I maximize my ability level. It's a fun game and a good challenge." Certificates were given to the eight winning team members and a sportsmanship award was presented to Joe McGovern. McGovern, 79, is the association's head grounds engineer. Next up for ZTA members is a canned food drive in October that will culminate with a morning of round robin play. The event's date is yet to be determined. For information, call Roades at (813) 799-9084. HARKLEROAD AT THE OPEN: Wesley Chapel's Ashley Harkleroad advanced to the semifinal round of the U.S. Open Junior Girls Singles Championships last week in New York. Harkleroad, 16, was the No. 7 seed in a field of 64. In doubles, Harkleroad paired with Gisela Dulko of Argentina as the No. 1 team in a 32-team draw. The duo -- the 2001 Wimbledon girls doubles champions -- suffered a three-set upset in the first round by wild-card team Megan Bradley and Erin Burdette. Last year, Harkleroad was a quarterfinalist in singles and doubles with Bradley. NATURE COAST: The Nature Coast Daylight Ladies Tennis League begins next month for nine teams. Among the players competing will be Nancy Ammiano. She's a member of the defending champion Brooksville Tiebreakers team along with Margaret Groth, captain of the 2000 winner Alley Cats. League play is on Thursday mornings. Anyone interested in substituting should call (352) 684-4321. COUNTY LEAGUES: Registration deadlines are nearing for county leagues at the Holiday Recreation Complex and at Veterans Park. The Holiday site will register through Sept. 15 for its mixed doubles leagues on Wednesday mornings and Friday evenings, and its flex men's and women's singles leagues. Call (727) 934-4198 for information. Veterans Park offers men's doubles Tuesday and Thursday mornings and women's doubles Friday mornings. Call (727) 861-3052 for details. Leagues begin the week of Sept. 23. The cost is $10 per player per league. CLINIC FUNDRAISER: Plans are underway for the ninth annual tennis fundraiser, scheduled for Nov. 2-4 at the Paul Kronk Tennis Club in Crescent Oaks, to benefit the Good Samaritan Health Clinic in New Port Richey. Renamed the Ariel Goldman Memorial Tennis Classic, the doubles-only competition targeted 93.3 percent of last year's funds toward patient care. Any businesses or individuals interested in assisting, volunteering or playing in the tournament should call (727) 848-6851. COMING UP: This weekend is the eighth annual Humane Society of North Pinellas Tennis Classic at Royal Racquet Club in Clearwater. Skill-level men's, women's and mixed doubles competition is planned. Call the club at (727) 781-8415 today. ... A state-sanctioned, adult competition at East Lake Woodlands will be held this weekend. The Adult Fall Classic features men's and women's age-division singles and doubles. Call the club at (727) 785-2212 today. ... The Fall Classic is Sept. 21-23 at the Phil Green Tennis Academy housed at Safety Harbor Spa. Singles and doubles competition in five NTRP rating levels for men and women is available. Call the academy at (727) 724-7729. ... The Nature Coast Open is Oct. 6-8 and is a benefit for area high school teams. The singles and doubles competition for juniors and adults will be held at Delta Woods and Glen Lakes and will be directed by USPTA teaching professional Judy Jeanette, who can be reached at (352) 684-4321.
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