Tennis Classic raises $50,000 for county medical clinic

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 7, 2000

While more than 160 players were enjoying a weekend of beautiful tennis weather and lots of competition, the Good Samaritan Clinic in New Port Richey was benefiting from the players' participation.

The Paul Kronk Tennis Club in Crescent Oaks was the site of the eighth annual Pasco County Medical Society Alliance Tennis Classic. Mens, womens and mixed doubles teams enjoyed three days of food, competition and fun. The event's activities earned more than $50,000 for the free clinic thanks to chairman Lynn Goldman and her committee of volunteers.

"This has just been a fabulous weekend," Goldman said. "We've worked hard in planning and preparing for this weekend, but it has all been worth it. I think the community is becoming more aware of the clinic and how much it benefits the community."

The Good Samaritan Clinic provides medical and dental care for local people who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid or have no insurance. Physicians donate their time and expertise to the clinic.

"For what we do, it's phenomenal we can operate on our $100,000 budget," said Barbara Holton, executive director of the clinic. "The Good Samaritan Clinic keeps many people out of the hospital."

Goldman and her core of volunteers enjoyed the fruits of their labor as player after player praised the fundraising tournament.

"Of course, everyone wants to win, but really, it doesn't matter," Joan Holland said. "It's such a wonderful event and for a great cause."

The tournament weekend kicked off this year with a first-time player draw party Nov. 2 when participants enjoyed good food, learned their playing times and met partners and opponents.

"I think the player party was a huge success," Holton said. "We'll definitely be doing that again next year."

Nancy Ammiano and Carine Crimi survived the womens 3.5 doubles competition, defeating Anne Hammond and Maureen Sternberg 6-1, 7-5 in the final. Debbie Kronk and Rosie Pappas won the womens 4.0 round-robin contest.

"This is the best tournament around," said Dale Slive, who played in all three doubles formats. "It's fun, it's competitive and the player party was the best."

Ed McGinley and Skip Parker overtook Malcolm Slive and Stephen Goldman in the mens 3.5, winning 6-3, 6-4. Sam Ledwich and Dave Parris won the mens 4.0.

McGinley then teamed with Cheryl Cravener and advanced to the 3.5 mixed doubles final before falling 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 to Cindy and Buzz Cooper.

Both Kathy and Allen Angel and Caroline Murphy and David Salem battled three sets to reach the 3.0 mixed doubles final. Another three-setter resulted in the Angels winning the title with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Rhonda Thompson and John Beda survived a three-set match in a semifinal to reach the 4.0 mixed doubles final with Rosie Pappas and William Thomas. Despite a second-set loss, Thompson and Beda battled back to win 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

"This tournament is for such a worthwhile cause," said Lucy Gomez, who won the open mixed doubles with John Miller. "I think it gets better each year and, as a result, we're getting more players."

Last year, 97 percent of the money raised was directed to the clinic. Holton said this year will be no different, thanks to the tireless efforts of Goldman, the tournament committee and the community's embracing of the event.

Next year's event is slated for the first weekend in November. Holton and Goldman are taking early reservations for players looking for sponsors. To learn how to help or for other information, call (727) 848-6851.

MILLS/REDGRAVE CHALLENGE: Florida juniors battled teams of players from the USTA Southern Section last weekend at the Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club in the eighth annual Mills/Redgrave Challenge. After a weekend of round-robin singles and mixed doubles in the 18-, 16- and 14-year-old age divisions, the USTA Southern Section was named the 2000 champion.

Local players for Florida were Sukhwa Young in the 16s who won two doubles matches; R.J. Murray in the 18s who won a singles match; Kelly Nelson in the 16s who earned two wins in both singles and doubles; Alexandria Liles in the 18s who won a singles and two doubles matches; Bugsy Bauer in the 14s with a singles and three doubles victories.

CLINICS AT PHCC: Brent Wellman, tennis coach at Pasco-Hernando Community College, is offering clinics for players ages 7 to 12 on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10:15 a.m. through Dec. 9. Participants will practice basic skills through drills and match play. Call (727) 859-9696.

Wellman invites girls interested in playing on the PHCC tennis team to call (727) 816-3397. Scholarship money may be available for players that make the team.

COMING UP: The Fall Classic Super Series for juniors is this weekend at East Lake Woodlands. Singles with consolation rounds are offered at a $25 entry fee. Call East Lake at (727)785-2212. ... Frenchy's Gumbo Classic for adults is this weekend at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Mens, womens and mixed doubles in skill-level divisions are scheduled. Call McMullen at (727)669-1919. ... National Tennis Rating Program (NTRP) clinics are Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg and Nov. 29 at the St. Petersburg Country Club. For other NTRP sessions, call Peter Laker at (727) 785-2537 or Sam Vuille at (727) 867-9105.

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