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ZTA tournament will remember friendBy NANCY MORGAN © St. Petersburg Times, published December 26, 2000 Dedicating January's club tournament to Rick Bickel seemed like the right thing for the Zephyrhills Tennis Association to do. Bickel, in his mid-40s when he died in May, loved tennis, participated in ZTA activities and gave lessons to area beginners and high school players. "Rick was an avid player as a youth, particularly with my dad, and as an adult played in our social events," ZTA member Jean Stallcup said. "Rick was really such a nice fellow. I know my dad had a special place for him in his heart." Stallcup's father Lyle McCannon was a teaching professional in the area. Two years ago, the ZTA board voted to have the town's Zephyr Park tennis courts renamed the McCannon Courts to honor both McCannon and his wife Adela for their dedication to tennis in Zephyrhills. "I knew Rick the 16 years I've lived here," ZTA member Dick Moffatt said. "He was an excellent player and won some titles here in Zephyrhills. He used to play six days a week." Bickel apparently made an impact on the people he met and played with at the McCannon Courts. Consequently, the ZTA board felt it would be appropriate to dedicate January's New Millennium Tournament to its friend and fellow player. The Jan. 6-21 competition includes five divisions with three different opportunities to win, plus a runner-up will be recognized. Divisions consist of men's and women's singles, doubles and mixed doubles. ZTA president Barry Roades has scheduled a seeding meeting for Jan. 2, so players must be entered prior to that date. After the initial matches Jan. 6, players will schedule their own matches and report scores to Roades. The tournament will conclude with the finals on Jan. 21. To enter or for more details, call Roades at (813) 779-9084. CONTINENTAL CUP: Ashley Harkleroad of Wesley Chapel was a member of the U.S. girls team that won the 11th Connolly Continental Cup held this month in Key Biscayne. In the team final against Estonia, Harkleroad won her singles match and then teamed with Bethanie Mattek to win the deciding doubles match. It was the first U.S. win since 1984. COUNTY WINNERS: The Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department completed its fall tennis leagues at both the Holiday Recreation Complex and at Veterans Park in Hudson. At Holiday, Dale Thelan added a singles league title to his open tennis tournament win earned earlier this month. Gary Smith finished second behind Thelan and John Hutchinson was third. Veterans Park winners included Hutchinson and John Kuhn in the men's doubles league and Eileen Locke and Hope Smith in the women's. Wally Preston and Tom Harper were second, followed by Richard Wise and Willie Coquelet. Gae Broffel and Robin Molby finished second among the women, followed by Rebecca Powell and Aurora Rice. New county leagues will begin in January. Call Donna French at the Holiday complex at (727) 934-4198 or Eileen Grubich at Veterans Park at (727) 861-3033. SENIOR MEN: Innisbrook earned its third win in four matches and handed Dunedin its fourth loss last weekend in the 3.5 North division of the USTA Florida Section Senior Doubles League. A second Innisbrook team was handed a 2-1 loss by unbeaten Royal Racquet Club. Winning for the 3.5 North division Innisbrook team were Ed McGinley and Skip Parker in No. 2 and Joe Gari and Jim Smith in No. 3. Against Royal in the 3.5 Central division, Innisbrook's Jerry McDowell and Malcolm Slive scored a three-set win in a 2-1 losing team effort. PHCC WOMEN: Pasco-Hernando Community College is looking for players for its Conquistadors tennis team. Scholarship money is available. Contact coach Brent Wellman at (727) 816-3397. COMING UP: The Lake Seminole Invitational for juniors is Jan. 6-8 at the Seminole Lake Tennis Center. Call Lynne Lion at (727) 394-1733. ... A USA League Tennis captains' meeting begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Feather Sound Country Club. For details, call Carol Levin at (727) 797-8416 for the women's division and Clark Higgs at (727) 724-0509 for the men's.
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