Grandezza Gives Back- Tennis Fun & More!



Kris Renza serves during 2011 Give Back



Estero High School ROTC Color Guard

There is more evidence on the horizon that our tennis community is, in fact, a community. The team at Grandezza that organized the 2011 Grandezza Gives Back Campaign, which raised over $23,000 to support the Corey Kent Family Assistance Fund last year, is back at it again. 

Dennis Greco, Rich DeSousa, &

John Francini with Sergio Rebolledo


This year the event will support the United Way, and includes a golf outing on January 8th, a 5k Run/Walk, and a Tennis Tourney & Exhibition on January 22nd. The golf tourney already has a full complement of players, but slots are still available for the Run/Walk and the Tennis Tourney.



Tom Balzer & Rich DeSousa & men's 5K winner

Greg Escarro of Estero Fire Department



The tennis event will include divisions from 2.5 thru 4.5, features an abbreviated format, utilizing no-ad scoring and shortened sets, but promises to be all the tennis one could ask for in one day. The contribution requested is $20 per person, and the cause is surely a good one.



Scott Harrington, Shawn Hedrick,
Jared Kalpin, & Sergio Rebolledo

Participants in the exhibition include Jared Kalpin, Shawn Hedrick, Frank Fourgeau, Tyler Owens, Sergio Rebolledo, Tyler “Tye” Meyers, Tyler Manning, and Richard Stempanowski. Sounds like the “Tyler Extravaganza” doesn’t it? In any event, it’s a solid lineup with lots of “show time” potential.



Estero Fire Department Participates

If you prefer motoring without a racquet in your hand, you can get on board with the 5K Run/Walk. More than 100 enthusiasts, from age 13 to over 80, participated in last year’s 5K Run/Walk, raising over $2k for the Kent family. I’m flirting with the idea of run-walking myself, since I’m on the outside looking on the tennis. Hey Tony, wanna join me?
The recipients of the proceeds will be the United Way chapters of Lee, Glades and Hendry counties. If interested in contributing to the cause and having a good time while doing it, registration is available online at http://www.grandezzagivesback.org/index.html. Hope to see you there! Game, set, match...T A