TENNIS AROUND TOWN THIS WEEKEND- BONITA BAY & FGCU

 As usual around here, it’s a happening weekend for tennis. Starting with the FineMark Tour Players Tennis Classic at Bonita Bay Club tomorrow (Friday, February 28^th), we have celebrity tennis, pro tennis, charity tennis, as well as opportunities to play with and take clinics from the pros. And, the proceeds all go toward a pediatric pharmacy for the new Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

The event, which is among the premier charity tennis events in our community, continues through Saturday and is one of two in our area that feature former and current ATP and/or WTA players (the upcoming Madisen's Match is the other). Considering the admirable job that Paula Scheb, her outstanding staff, and Bonita Bay members usually do with their events, you may want to check this one out.

You can read more about the Classic here: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2014/feb/20/get-tickets-now-for-feb-28-march-1-finemark-tour-p/, and check the event schedule here: http://tourplayersclassic.com/2013_Tour_Players_Classic/Schedule.html.

FGCU Men's Tennis

Lance Lvovsky & Tianyu Bao vs. FAMU
Photo by Linwood Ferguson

If it’s youthful, fast action that floats your boat, then you don’t have to look too far this weekend. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)’s Men’s Tennis Eagles have a Cape-Coral-esque, HUGE matchup at home this coming Sunday (March 2^nd) at 12pm.

Lucas Vaz & Chris Perrigan vs. FAMU
Photo by Linwood Ferguson

In the first Atlantic Sun Conference match of the season, the Eagles will host North Florida, last season’s Conference Championship Finalists, and the previous year’s Conference Champions. Both teams have played some tough competition to date, and this match will be a benchmark for both squads. I plan to be there for this one!

Coach Weber at FAMU match
Photo by Linwood Ferguson

There’s so much more to this match up that I’d like to write about, but time is of the essence and I’d like to get this out so that you can plan to be there this Sunday at noon. You read more about the good things happening with the men’s program by checking out Coach Weber’s latest newsletter here. In it he provides some neat tidbits about the team. Definitely a good read.

Jordi Vives vs. FAMU
Photo by Linwood Ferguson

Bet you didn’t know that our little community had the No.54-ranked player in the country? That's one nugget the coach shared in his newsletter. Come out this Sunday and watch Jordi Vives represent FGCU and the Greater Fort Myers area. While you are there, I’m betting you’ll be pretty pleased with what the other members of the team are doing as well.

Fans at FAMU match
Photo by Steph

It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that there is more tennis happening this weekend, but that’s all I know of. Enjoy the tennis weekend. I know that I will. Game, set, match…T. A. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Linwood Ferguson takes awesome photos and you can check out his photo journal of the FAMU match here.