APRIL TENNIS IS A WRAP. MAY TENNIS ON THE HORIZON

There's no better time to try new racquets than the summer time, and I'm guessing that's now no matter what the calendar says. 

Pat and Angie down at Three Oaks Park will be hosting a Babolat Demo Day this Saturday, May 3, from 9 - 10:30am. Those who attend the Demo Day will be eligible for prizes and discounts. Other racquets will be on hand for demo as well. 

USPTA Nat'l Clay Courts  at Landings

Paul D'Amico

There’s no way I should be playing the USPTA National Clay Court Championships being held at The Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club May 8 – 11, but Paul D’Amico Director of Tennis, has certainly earned the support of anyone in this area who calls him/herself a USPTA Tennis Professional.

Paul has only been here for, what, three years now? But what he’s done in three years, in terms of bringing events to town, is unparalleled in the eight years I have been here. 

Paul & Head Pro Kim Jones run tourney

Whether it is community-wide charity events, special events for his members, events for USPTA pros, national

Landings volunteers always do a terrific job!

tournaments for juniors and adults, Paul, his staff, and the members at The Landings have done tremendous things for our tennis community the past few years.

T. A. & Erica at Landings in 2013

What does that mean to me? It means that I will team up with Erica Cossairt to try to win a mixed doubles national title, regardless of what common sense might tell me. A number of other USPTA pros in the area are gearing up for the event as well, even some who probably have to blow the dust and cobwebs off their tournament sticks.

The usual suspects will participate of course. Steve Shortridge never saw a tournament that he didn’t like…especially now that he’s knocked off a former World No.4 in Roscoe Tanner. 

Roscoe Tanner- Photo courtesy of
SI's Walter Looss, Jr.

I know that some of you don’t know who Roscoe tanner is, but that guy held the fastest serve (153 mph) record from 1978 through 2004, when Andy Roddick broke it (155 mph). Can you imagine 153 with a wood racquet? That’s HUGE! He’s also the guy who won the Australian Open in 1977 and lost the Wimbledon Final to Bjorn Borg in five sets two years later.

Armor Persons

Two other tourney rats who will toss em up that weekend are Armor Persons (Breckenridge) and Bob Green (Pelican Preserve). Both of those vets like the taste of competition and will have their fill two weekends from now. 

John Ramsey

A number of Pro League favorites, including Kim Jones (The Landings) Mike Curran (Gulf Harbour) Luke 

Luke Andreae

Andreae (Punta Gorda Club), Kerry Kendrick (Casa Ybel), Jared Kalpin (West Bay), John Jerome (Wildcat Run), John Ramsey (Kelly Greens) and others will be vying for USPTA national honors as well.

Fred Drilling

Former International Tennis Federation (ITF) World No.1 (2007), Fred Drilling will join the fray as there is a national title to be had in his own backyard. How could he pass that up? Fred will probably play a few age divisions…and win them all. In any event, there should be plenty of entertainment for the tennis lovers who are still in town. If you see me stumbling around the court, please go watch some good tennis!

LCCTA Hosts Junior Events

If you are spending any amount of time outdoors, and I’m sure you are, then you know that summer is fast approaching, and summer time is junior time. Accordingly, the Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA) is doing what it usually does: providing plenty of junior competition for juniors of various levels.

Valentina Sanchez Bronzetti 

On the heels of the Level 5 event held this past weekend at Three Oaks Park, the LCCTA will host a USTA Florida 10-and-Under event at Rutenberg Park in Fort Myers on Saturday, May 10. Players can register online through Wednesday, May 7, and can search tennis link for tournament ID# 150053814 or click here to reach the tournament site.

Emilio Jr Sanchez Bronzetti 

The following week, beginning Saturday, May 17, LCCTA will host another  USTA Florida sanctioned event at Rutenberg Park, this time an L7 tournament for boys and girls in 12, 14, 16, and 18-and-under divisions. Again, players can register online 

through Wednesday, May 14, using tournament ID# 150068814 or click here to reach the tournament site. Contact Tournament Director, Lyn Bruner, at (239) 482-3382 with questions for either event. 

FGCU Tennis

Coach C. J. Weber

For those of you who followed Florida Gulf Coast University’s tennis programs this past season, and haven’t already been to the men’s and women’s pages at the FGCU Athletics website, Coach Weber summed up the season extremely well in his newsletter, so I’ll just give you this link to check that out.

Coach Courtney Vernon on the job

The Lady Eagles of FGCU had a phenomenal season under first-year Coach Courtney Vernon. The Eagles posted their highest number of overall Division I wins (14) and A-Sun Conference wins (7) in history under the dynamic rookie coach. 

Candela Munoz-Giron

Junior Candela Munoz-Giron (whom I have been calling a freshman all season- sorry), completed an outstanding year at the A-Sun Championships, going 3-0 and being named to the All-Tournament Team, a distinction that fit well with her All-Conference First Team honor. 

LCCTA Hosts 10-and-Under Workshop
This one's a bit early, but I want everyone who might be interested to get this on the calendar before something else gets in the way. Consistent with their efforts to grow the game, the LCCTA will host a USTA 10-and-Under Coaches On-court Workshop on Saturday, June 7 from 9-12:30 (rain or shine) at Wa-KeHatchee Community Park in Fort Myers 33908. 

At a mere $15 to participate, this is an excellent opportunity for parents, teachers, or anyone interested in getting youngsters started in tennis, in accord with the latest "best practices" advocated by the USTA. Prospective participants can register at www.CoachYouthTennis.com.  The Workshop will be conducted by National trainer, Susan Allshouse.

That's all I have for now. Game, set, match...T. A.