Thursday, December 8, 2011

Fort Myers Tennis This Weekend 12/9 - 12/11

Senior Pro League
The Fort Myers Senior Pro League will stop at the serene setting at Kelly Greens courtesy of new Director of Tennis John Ramsey and League Coordinator Armor Persons, on Friday December 9. The over-40 league of local tennis pros and top area players (among the “long-in-the-tooth set of course) debuted at Breckenridge last month and will stop at Pelican Preserve on January 20. With the Fort Myers Ritzman Tennis USPTA Pro League on hiatus until Friday January 13 at Heritage Palms, Pro league aficionados can get their final Pro League fix of 2011 tomorrow at Kelly Greens.
Matches will begin at 3pm with host Ramsey & Mike Harley taking on Oliver Stenger & I, playing the “feature” match. I don’t know if my eyesight is good enough to even see John’s big forehand, but Oliver is still young enough to carry me...even if he’s knocking on the door to 50 with his 49th birthday tomorrow. I’m thinking that John and Mike have to let us win as a birthday present to Oliver; right?
Armor & Marius Espeleta will have their hands full with cagey vets, Terry See & Steve Shreiner. I know from experience that Steve practically never misses a return and knows what he’s doing at net, and what can we say about Terry See that everyone doesn’t already know?  But Armor’s no slouch in the cagey department and Marius crushes forehands, and can get to anything on the court. Marius has added incentive, owing Terry and Steve for a loss in the final of the Hope Hospice Charity Challenge at the Sanctuary last month.
In a mixed doubles matchup that is sure to be entertaining, Fran Coryell teams with big-hitting Kerry Kendrick to face Rob “The Body” Vinal (still trying to figure out that nickname), and the dynamic Erica Cossairt. I couldn’t bet this one with your money! I’m hoping Oliver and I win our match quickly so that I can take a peek at this one.
USPTA Pro League
I’ll be posting a recap of the Fort Myers Ritzman Tennis USPTA Pro League event that was held at Fiddlesticks Country Club last Friday (12/2) in the next day or two. The crowd at Fiddlesticks may have been the largest of the season thus far. I’m guestimating that we had over 500 in attendance, and Jeff Diggs, Tyler Owens, and the rest of the Fiddlesticks staff did their usual tremendous job of hosting.  
Christmas Special
Ok, major shift here...I don’t do the Christmas thing, but just about everyone else does, so here are some Christmas tidbits for you. According to Shawn Hedrick, who coordinated the USPTA Pro League Toys for Tots drive, te Fort Myers Ritzman Tennis USPTA Pro League has raised over 1000 toys for children in need over the past three years. Said Shawn, “I’d like to thank the Fort Myers Pro League and everyone who supports Toys for Tots charity.”
Continuing the tennis community’s Christmas contribution to the less fortunate, Park Meadow Tennis Center and Park Meadow Tennis Shop are collaborating in their own Toys for Tots effort. This weekend, on Sunday December 11, from 11am until…Park Meadow will host a Christmas Toy Drive Round Robin. Anyone donating a toy will receive a $5 coupon off a minimum $50 purchase at the Park Meadow Tennis Shop.
Organizers are asking folks to bring an unwrapped toy, and if you are going to hang around for the festivities, and play in the round robin, to bring a snack, side dish or beverage to share. If you plan to play in the round robin, please RSVP so planners can coordinate some fun tennis. RSVP to Laura at pharmawork@yahoo.com or Martha at mlyonsholden@yahoo.com. And since Park Meadow is like the Cheers of Fort Myers tennis, you can just drop in any time to make your toy donation (1895 Park Meadows Drive, between US 41 & Summerlin).
League Report
It is just about time for the various leagues to take a break for the holiday, so I’ll post a league report encompassing Lee County, USTA, Scat, BonEro, and Land Shark leagues once the break has begun.  If you have anything of interest regarding any of the leagues, please pass it on so I can do the same. Until soon, game, set, match…T A

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