STATEWIDE JUNIORS DESCEND ON THREE OAKS FOR DESIGNATED TOURNEY

Once upon a time, the Bush Florida Open (now the USTA Regional Tournament Segment) was the biggest junior tournament in town, it was an event of national renown…but that was once upon a time. The upcoming Lee County CTA April (Designated) L5 Boys & Girls 16 at the Barbara Manzo Tennis Center at Three Oaks Park this weekend (27th - 29th) is going to give what once was the Florida Open a run for its money, especially since draw sizes have been limited to 32 for both.

The kids are coming from all over the State for this Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA) event, as I’m sure they will for the Regional in July, but South Pasadena? I didn’t know there was a Pasadena in Florida. Is there a North Pasadena too? I looked and couldn’t find one. Actually South Pasadena is right up the road, a bit west of St. Pete. Ah, but I digress…

There are two things about this event that interest me other than the terrific talent that will be on display, and those are: 1) the draw sizes, and 2) how many of the 13 locals who applied actually made it into the draw. The USTA powers that be have determined that 32-draw events are better for tennis than 64-draw or 128 draw-events, which means that of the 142 applicants, only 64 (32 girls, 32 boys) will be playing this weekend.

Hmmm, I wonder if the 78 juniors who wanted to play, their parents and coaches will feel that limiting regional events to 32-draws is good for tennis. I wonder how our tennis community will feel about the fact that just seven of the 13 juniors who applied for the event will be playing this weekend. I wonder how local businesses, which once benefitted from large influxes of players and their families to the area for large-draw tourneys, feel about the 32-draw-limitation.

I suppose that limitation is likely to be pondered by many for some time, but what is most relevant right now is that there will be some terrific tennis being played at the Barbara Manzo Tennis Center at Three Oaks Park this weekend, and it would be good to support the event.

Thandiwe Kangwa
Photo courtesy of News-Press

The locals (rankings in parentheses) who made it into the draws include Thandiwe Kangwa (29), Fallon Burger (87), and Rebecca Morse (13) of Fort Myers; and Alyssa Mayo (102) of Naples in the girls draw.  The boys who made it in are Chase Burton (59), William Shisler (20), and Adam Sweet (25) of Naples.

Those who applied but won’t be playing this weekend include Victoria Emma (107) of Naples, Robert Greenlaw, and Jean Luis Perez of Cape Coral, John Carlin (74), and Eric Poland (93) of Fort Myers, and Jack Flagg (75) of Naples. Perhaps they will benefit from watching almost as much as they might have from playing. Game, set, match...T. A.

ALL-VOLLEY/BEACH TENNIS STORMS FORT MYERS BEACH APRIL 19-21

Photo courtesy of woodtennis.com

Photo courtesy of wanganuitennis.co.nz

Tennis was once “Lawn Tennis” played on grass only. But that is history. Today we have tennis on multiple surfaces and it is not played in neckties and trousers, nor lady-like long dresses. As recently as the 70s and 80s serve-volley tennis was the dominant form, at least on fast services. Since the turn of the century and even before, strong baseline games have assumed dominance.

About the only thing that has stayed the same in tennis is the fact that the game is played with racquets, which hit balls over a net. How the game is played, how it is scored, how it is taught, and its role in the recreational lives of the billions on the planet all have changed…multiple times.

Modern Tennis

Photo courtesy of Rappahannock YMCA

These days, the tennis traditionalists are challenged by the rise of new formats within the traditional game (match tiebreaks, coaching on sidelines, etc.), as well as the emergence of new racquet sports such as Pickleball and the newest of the newcomers, All-Volley Tennis, an expansion of the sport commonly referred to as “Beach Tennis.” 

Mike Welter- Local Pickleball hero

Those who know me know that I’m willing to try just about anything (right Dawg?), and so when Mike Welter, one of our local tennis team captains, and USTA Florida officials told me about the fun and success he was having playing Pickleball (he has won numerous gold and silver medals), I had to give that a try. I can report that Pickleball was a lot of fun, great exercise, and something I would do regularly if I had more time and energy on my hands.

Fun on Fort Myers Beach This weekend, I had the utmost pleasure of trying my hand at All-Volley Tennis in its original “Beach Tennis” guise on Fort Myers Beach. Being

Eddie Neese & Sergio Rebolledo

an outdoorsy kinda guy who loves the ocean air, I was fully in my element. A number of other local tennis pros who are much better athletes (and younger too!) braved the beach and had a blast at the 2013 Sunshine Open this past weekend. And so did those who came down to cheer on their local pros.

As talented as some of us believe we are on the tennis court, we were no match for those who play All-Volley Tennis professionally…or even recreationally. I happened to do well playing the “Fun” division singles, but when I 

T. A. & Diane Johannes

stepped up to the Advanced Division to play doubles and mixed doubles with Oliver Stenger and Diane Johannes, respectively, we didn’t fare so well. 

The World's Best

The real story, however, was the tremendously skilled and talented men and women from all over the world playing in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) sanctioned Pro, prize-money divisions.  

Representing USA

Aruba, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Puerto Rico, Venezuela...top-ranked players from around the globe were on hand to amaze those of us new to the sport and to satisfy those who knew what to expect. 

Although the Pro singles matches were outstanding, particularly the women’s semifinals that I watched, singles is a bit of a sideshow to the main events. Men’s and women’s doubles are what the sport is about, what the ITF rankings are about, and the spectacular doubles action really stole the show. 

The speed of hand and foot, bodies and sand flying, and the applause and cheers erupting from the crowd on hand made the experience unlike any other.

For you tennis players, imagine the Bryan brothers and one of the other top doubles teams in the world, all at net smacking overheads, reflexing volleys, hitting dropshots, and lobs…all on the same point! That's what

Niola Gambi & Alessandro Calbucci

Ruth & Richard Edelman of Gulf Harbour

the action was like in the men’s and women’s Pro doubles semis and finals.

It was exhilarating and humbling, inspiring and depressing all once; after all, I’m well past being able to perform at anything at that level of expertise. Ah, but at least I can still appreciate it and that I did. I wasn’t the only one.

Rich and Ruth Edelman were on hand to watch their pros, Mike Curran, Frank Fourgeau, and Sergio Rebolledo test their skills. Sergio with Eddie Neese tried their hands against the All-Volley Pros, Mike and Frank took the sand against advanced All-Volleyers. Let's just say lessons were learned.

Frank Fourgeau & Mike Curran of Gulf Harbour

Asked for their sentiments about the event the Edelmans responded, “We thought it was great. The atmosphere was really fun, and we enjoyed watching the men play and the women who were as skilled as the men. A very good spectator sport. It was nice to be able to cheer for your team if you chose to and be loud as you wished to.”

THE REAL COMPETITION

The Men

In the all-Italian Men’s Pro Final, Michele Cappelletti, the No.2-ranked men’s player in the world, and Niccolò Strano (No.18) downed Alessandro Calbucci, the top ranked player in the world, and Niola Gambi (No.21), 6-3, 6-3, to claim the Men’s Pro Doubles title.

En route to the championship victory, Cappelletti and Strano took out top seeds Mateo Marighella (No.9) and Luca Meloconi (No.6) 7-6, 6-4 in the semis. 

To reach the final, Calbucci and Gambi had to get past second-seeded Vinicius Font (No.12) and Alex Mingozzi (No.7) in three sets 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. In all, six of the men ranked in the top-ten participated in the event, and delivered world class entertainment that I hope returns next year.

The Women
In the women’s final, 2012 European Champions Simona Bonadonna and Eva D’Elia, both of Italy and co-ranked No.5 in the world,

rolled over the best Brazil had to offer in the team of Joana Cortez and Samantha Barijan, co-ranked No.7 in the world, 6-0, 6-2. Both teams had been coming off grueling semifinal matches.

Cortez and Barijan had all they could handle in the semis with Nadia Johnston (No.17) and Nicole Melch (No.15),

the only American team in the competition, finally prevailing 6-3, 2-6, 10-7. Bonnadonna and D’Elia had no cakewalk in their semi, surviving Tomomi Takahashi (No.14) and Manuela Amiard (No.269) of France 6-2, 1-6, 10-7. 

THE REST OF THE STORY

Making it Happen
Tournament Director and Beach Tennis USA President, Jim Lorenzo and his team,

Jim Lorenzo- BTUSA President

with an assist from Three Oaks Tennis Director Pat Glaunert on the Advanced and Fun Divisions, put on a fantastic event. The BTUSA staff kept the cold water flowing (vital in the 90-plus degrees), and JB, 

JB on da J O B

the DJ served up the tunes, which TA thought was PC (uh, that means “pretty cool”). Probably a few too many initials, huh? Oh well, you’ll get over it… 

Local PerformersA few of our local pros, including yours truly, managed to represent Fort Myers well. 

Kerry & Scott Kendrick

Kerry and Scott Kendrick made it to the semis of the Advanced Division, before the heat and physical exertion put a stop to their run. I believe they were up a set and leading in the second when Scott had to retire. Bummer!

Frank Fourgeau and Corey Knapp won the Fun Division Men’s Doubles, and I won the Fun Division Men’s Singles.

Frank Fourgeau

Not bad for the second time picking up a beach tennis paddle, and the first time competing. I’m thinking that we can all do better with some practice over the next year, and if you haven’t tried it, you absolutely must!

Going Forward
According to Marc Altheim, Founder and CEO of All-Volley Tennis,  Pat Glaunert of Three Oaks Tennis was the driving force behind the entire extravaganza. "Pat dragged my 'bleep' down here last February, and it was his vision and his drive that made this happen," he said. 

Pat Glaunert the Auctioneer

Pat, Lyn Bruner, (Executive Director of the Lee County Community Tennis Association- LCCTA), Mike Curran (Director of tennis & Fitness at Gulf Harbour Golf & Country Club) and I were chatting at the event, and vowed to share the incredible experience we had with our tennis community.

Pat shows Jason Sherman of Diamond
district the ropes

We were envisioning a day when All-Volley Tennis leagues would be commonplace in school gyms and playgrounds, recreation centers, backyards, and just about anywhere else one could imagine.

With the incredible tennis community and weather that we have here, Fort Myers easily could be a hotbed for All-Volley Tennis, and even in poor weather indoors is an option.

Lyn Bruner & Ron Treaseh
check out action 

The fact that the ball doesn’t bounce allows play on any surface, even in snow! You won’t find me in the All-Volley Snow Bowl Championships (doesn’t’ exist yet, but wait a minute) in Alaska, but I know some of you enjoy playing in the cold stuff.

In all seriousness folks, this was a serious and fun event. When you have most of the top athletes in the world in attendance for any event in a given sport, you know it’s serious. But even the pros 

seemed to have fun while competing for one of the bigger purses on the International Tour. I am proud to be a member of the community that did such a tremendous job in its maiden voyage of hosting what is likely to become one of the more popular ITF Beach Tennis Tour stops.

After speaking with Marc Altheim, Founder and CEO of AVT, I feel confident that we will see another “sportacular” All Volley/Beach Tennis event on Fort Myers Beach in 2014. 

Marc Altheim- AVT CEO

According to Marc, "The 2013 Publishers Printing Company Sunshine Open was the most successful BT [Beach Tennis] event in United States history….” When we spoke, Marc also mentioned that they were working as we spoke to strike agreements with local officials and businesses to nail down a date for next year.

By Altheim’s count, there were over 120 professionals and approximately 150 amateurs taking part in 29 divisions, the most amateur players ever to compete in an AVT event. 

Tony of Pagielli's

As is the case with any successful event, there are many behind the scenes, and Marc paid tribute to some of those entities. He wrote, “BTUSA [Beach Tennis USA] is grateful to Pat Glaunert, Director of Three Oaks Tennis, for his vision, determination, leadership and implementation for the 2013 Sunshine Open.” To his credit, when asked for his response, Glaunert responded, "I am so humbled by the support of all of the local tennis community and I am so glad to be a part of it." 

Marc also attributed much of the event’s success to the locale: “The event venue (The Ft. Myers Beach Holiday Inn) was a major reason for the success of the event.

Holiday Inn

The ability to locate the event as well as the players and tournament organizers in one place made the event seamless. The quality of the playing surface ("the best sand in the USA") also contributed to the success of the event.”

And finally, the AVT CEO acknowledged the cooperation of the folks, without whom, this special occasion would not have happened.

Holiday Inn

He noted, “Further kudos to Lee County Sports and Ft Myers Beach government officials for making the road to success so smooth. Lastly, but not least, gratitude and appreciation to the robust and sweet people in the Ft Myers area." 

It's a Wrap
When the sun had set over the sand on Fort Myers Beach this past weekend, and the music had faded to the rhythm and sounds of sea surf, all who had participated, whether

spectator or player, could hardly question that our piece of paradise was the place to be this past weekend. You can view photos of the event by clicking here, click here for more information on All-Volley Tennis, and check out the International Tennis Federation website for more on professional Beach Tennis 

COMPLETE EVENT RESULTS

Pro Men Doubles Winners: Niccolò Strano Michele Cappelletti
Pro Men Doubles Runner Ups: Alessandro Calbucci, Niola Gambi

Pro Women Doubles Winners: Eva D'Elia Simona Bonnadonna
Pro Women Doubles Runner Ups: Joann Cortez, Samantha Barijan

Pro Mixed Doubles Winners: Vinicius Font, Flavia Muniz
Pro Mixed Doubles Runner Ups: Olivier Samaran, Manuela Amiard

Pro Men Singles Winner: Diego Carneiro
Pro Men Singles Runner up: Jorge Penaluer

Pro Women Singles Winner: Pauline Bourdet
Pro Women Singles Runner Up: Ludivine Bodar

Advanced Men Doubles Winners: Bancho Mansur, John Goitia
Advanced Men Doubles Runner Ups: Sylvain Nicolas, Christophe Le Rasle

Advanced Women Doubles Winners: Ka Man Hui, Liesje Seraus
Advanced Women Doubles Runner Ups: Alma Torres, Nicole Iglesias

Advanced Mixed Doubles Winners: Pedro Ochoa, Nicole Iglesias
Advanced Mixed Doubles Runner Ups: Randolph Arends, Jennifer Peterson

Advanced Men Singles Winner: Julian Chung
Advanced Men Singles Runner up: Scott Worden

Advanced Women Singles Winner: Ka Men Hui
Advanced Women Singles Runner up: Maria Pucci

Fun Men Doubles Winners: Corey Knapp, Frank Forgeau
Fun Men Doubles Runner Ups: Gustavo Spapavecchia, Rogello Rodriguez

Fun Women Doubles Winners: Lucia Weaver, Tania Renno
Fun Women Doubles Runner Ups: Becky Crespo, Lesli Culver

Fun Mixed Doubles Winners: Edwin Hsing, Katja Kock
Fun Mixed Doubles Runner Ups: Antonio Pinto, Flavia Perieu
Fun Men Singles Winner: TA Niles
Fun Men Singles Runner up: Dan Young

Fun Women Singles Winner: Lesli Culver

TENNIS "R" US JOINS GREATER FORT MYERS TENNIS COMMUNITY

Park Meadow Tennis Shop

Almost three years ago now, I wrote a piece when Elaine and Chris Capps opened Park Meadow Tennis Shop (PMTS- click here for that piece) in Fort Myers in one of the most convenient locations one could have in this town.  Elaine and Chris provided then and do now, a different tennis shopping experience than was available to our tennis community.

TENNIS "R" US storefront in Bonita Springs

Now, perhaps due to the rise in recreational tennis play across the country and to the revival of the popularity the professional game we saw in the 80s, the Greater Fort Myers area has become home to another tennis retail entity: TENNIS “R” US, on US 41 in Bonita Springs (I’ve given you the Facebook link because the website is still a work in progress). 

Plenty of merchandise, plenty of space

This “you-have–to-see-it-to-believe-it” tennis shop (more like a tennis mega store) was born in November of 2012, and is the second TENNIS ”R” Us in Southwest Florida, being the younger brother (or sister if you prefer) of the original in Naples.

Tammy Hallam- Store Manager

Both locations (and I’m told the newer version may soon be the only version) are owned and operated by Jan and Vladka David and their seven children, uh huh, seven children.  I suspect that this devout tennis family, runs a “family business” in the true sense of the word, because in my three visits to the Bonita Springs location, I met two of the six David girls (yup, I said six girls!) doing duty in the store.  

Abbie David

Abbie (age 20) was doing the "stringing thing" two of the three times I was there, and the other occasion, Vivienne (16) was working the counter and, unfortunately, was there well past closing waiting on her dad and me. Sorry Viv! If you have been around tennis in the area, you are probably at least familiar with 

Jonathan David

Jonathan David, one of the top Open players in the southwest. Ya know, I could probably write about the fascinating Davids for pages, but that’s not my purpose here. I just want to do my part to introduce you to TENNIS “R” Us and vice versa.

Maybe it was the unassuming tinted glass façade that greeted me when I pulled into the parking lot across from Bonita Bay, but as I walked into TENNIS “R” US, I was struck by the sheer size of the well-lit, spacious, and nicely laid out floor plan. The place was chock-full of tennis “stuff” but it wasn’t crammed or cramped. I have been in a few tennis retail stores in my almost 40 years in the game, and I can’t remember a tennis-exclusive store that was as large and spacious as the TENNIS “R” US in Bonita Springs.

Just a portion of the racquets on hand

Did I say it was well-lit and airy? Oh I did. Well it’s worth repeating, and that comes with lots of room to walk down aisles, to browse through the wide variety of clothing, racquets, shoes, and accessories, it was a shopper’s dream. And you may not know it yet, but I am a stickler for good customer service, and when I called for directions, and when I showed up at the store, even before they knew me from Adam and that I planned to write about the establishment, Abbie and Tammy Hallam, store manager, greeted me pleasantly and with smiles. It was no different when I went back to meet with Jan.

Jan shares racquet wisdom

As I waited for Jan that afternoon, I watched and listened as he guided a customer through the racquet selection process, and you would be thrilled if your doctor took that much time and care with you. Whether the customer bought anything this time or not, I’m betting he’ll be back in and that he will refer friends as well. That’s what good customer service does.

Pickleball racquets too! 

Regardless of how far as customer service takes you, to be a retail success, you have to provide what people want and do it in an environment that makes them want to be there. The incredible selection of racquets (even pickleball!), tennis shoes, clothing, bags, and every other thing tennis you can name ensures the former, and the comfortable confines of TENNIS “R” US provides the latter.

A portion of the incredible shoe inventory

I might be jumping the gun here, but after taking a look at what Jan is working on and has planned, I can’t help but get excited. If things continue to develop as they are, the TENNIS “R” US web platform promises to be an equation something along the lines of Facebook + Craig’s List + Tenniswarehouse.com = Totally plugged in tennis community!

Add caption

In theory, one could logon to the TENNIS “R” US web community, put a couple of racquets up for sale, check out what’s going on in local tennis, enter an event or two, order a new racquet, a pair of tennis shoes, or a new skirt, chat with a few (or many) tennis friends, book a lesson with a local pro, or any combination of the above. Oh yeah, and if you’re in a hurry, you don’t have to wait for the mail or pay shipping costs, because you could drive down 41 and pick up your tennis stuff. How sweet is that!!!

Ok, ok, I may have gotten just a tad carried away there, but seriously, that is what TENNIS “R” US is working on. Regarding the communal or “Facebook-like” component, Jan says, “Tennis is an individual sport and when it comes to the communication between players, there is no real alternative to Facebook. Also, there is no platform that would be easy to use and where all tennis information and communication is just “one click” away. That’s one of the things we want to change with the TENNIS”R” US website.”

Given the vast variety and incredible deals one can find online, I’ve often wondered how local retail enterprises can compete. In communicating about the above, Jan wrote, “In 2005 we bought the oldest tennis shop in Southwest Florida: THE TENNIS SHOP OF NAPLES. But over the years we realized that the size of this shop cannot compete with the ever changing tennis retail environment…online stores with nearly unlimited merchandise selection completely changed tennis retail.

“It [the new store and web format] may be not much compared to the biggest online stores, but it will increase the merchandise availability for tennis players in SW Florida – the clientele we want to serve the most.”

Regarding his vision for the enterprise, Jan wrote, “TENNIS “R” US is a TENNIS NETWORK where players interact and help each other – it is not a typical online store environment where on one side there is a retailer and on the other, the customers.” TENNIS “R” US is a vision, born of the David family’s passion for tennis, and being raised right here in Southwest Florida with old-fashioned elbow grease. TENNIS “R” US has the merchandise, it has the service, now all it needs is YOU to make that vision reality.

Check out TENNIS “R” US at 25987 S. Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs (east side of 41) or call 239-262-6497, and don’t hesitate to visit them on Facebook as well.     

FORT MYERS TENNIS STILL GOING STRONG IN MID-APRIL

LCCTA Partners with Beach Tennis USA on Fort Myers Beach 

Mike Stevens & T. A.
Photo by Steph

Finally an event I can play without worrying about how well I do! Of course as a competitor I always want to do well, but if I don’t, I won’t be too concerned about it. I’m entered in Fun Men’s Singles and Fun Mixed Doubles. Sure sounds like “fun” to me…Steph and I tried it out on the beach the other day with Mike Curran, Frank Fourgeau, Sergio Rebolledo, Mike Stevens and their wives. It was a blast, and I know we’re all looking forward to this weekend!

Frank Fourgeau & Mike Curran
Photo by Steph

Listen, there are so many divisions you can’t help but find a division for you. If you like to have a good time on the beach, Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles as well as Mixed Doubles, from Pro to Fun are available. Click here to check out details of some of the events  and click here to register; today is the last day to enter.  

How about that form!
Photo by Steph

Oh, one last thing, you that the Lee County Community Tennis Association (LCCTA) contributes a ton to this tennis community right? Well, your participation in the Beach Tennis (now being called “All Volley Tennis”) might just result in a charitable contribution to the LCCTA as it is a charitable partner for the event.

Three Oaks Opportunities

Speaking of the LCCTA, one its member sites, the Barbara Manzo Tennis Center at Three Oaks Park, is hosting a tournament series that is ongoing, with one more weekend in April (27-28) and two in May (11-12, 18-19). The events offer competitive divisions for both adults and juniors.

For the adults, the divisions include men’s and women’s singles from 2.5 through 4.5 ratings, doubles for men and women, as well as mixed, from 5.0 through 9.0 combo ratings. Essentially, if you want to compete, there’s a place for you in the Three Oaks Spring Smash Series. Prizes are awarded to first, second and third place finishers in all divisions and first round consolation draws will be provided.

Future Tennis Star at 3-Oaks

The Spring Smash Series offers a variety of opportunities for the juniors as well. Divisions for the kids include singles and doubles in10 and under through 16 and under divisions. You can check out Three Oaks Tennis at the LCCTA website or go directly to the Three Oaks Tennis website. You can also email Angie Guillette at angie@threeoakstennis.com.

A-Sun Championship for FGCU Men’s Tennis

Eagles crowd at USC match

After splitting their final two home matches against University of South Carolina Upstate (USC) and East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Florida Gulf Coast University Men’s Tennis Eagles went 1-2 to finish up the regular season and their conference schedule, losing two 3-4 heart-breakers to University of North Florida (UNF), No.66 in the country, and Stetson University, which finished No.3 in the Atlantic Sun Conference (A-Sun). 

Former Eagle Mitchell Lvovsky &
Coach Weber's dad Mel in the crowd

The Eagles .500 conference record earned them a fourth-seed in the upcoming A-Sun Championship (click here for tournament info and results) to be held in Johnson City, Tennessee this weekend (19 – 21). As it was last year, the tournament amounts to a "home match" for defending champion ETSU, who was seeded No.1 in last year's event, and toppled second-seeded UNF in a close 4-3 battle.

Coach Weber flanked by Collin Brown &
Jackson Moore, graduating seniors

In the first round of the tournament, our fourth-seeded guys in green and blue will take on fifth-seeded USC, a team from which they took a tough victory on March 28 at home. In that match, Jackson Moore and Lance Lvovsky had to pull out three-set singles matches to claim victory and the doubles matches were hotly contested as well. The match promises to be a closer one on a neutral site, given FGCU's 3-6 record on the road.  

Lance Lvovsky & Tianyu Bao vs. ETSU

If our guys take the first match, they will meet the top-seeded UNF, which finished undefeated in A-Sun dual match play. UNF squeaked by your FGCU by a 4-3 score and posted the same against ETSU. Your basketball Eagles made some noise in the their tourney, and I'm looking for the tennis Eagles to do the same. 

Amazing Madisen’s Match

Madisen in Uncle Duane's arms with celebrity
pros, Paul D'Amico & Kim Jones
Photo by Gale Van Rossem

Madisen’s Match, held at the Landings, April 5 – 6, was among the event highlights in the tennis community this month, as the event continued to elevate its profile as a premier charitable event in Southwest Florida. According to event organizer Duane Chaney, “We had our most successful Madisen’s Match to date, with the event taking in net proceeds of $45,000 to benefit The Brain Tumor Navigator Program at The Regional Cancer Center; and The Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Center Fund.”

2013 Madisen's Cup crowd

The event is fast becoming a “must attend” activity for members of our tennis community. In addition to the fund-raising dinner on Friday, which, again according to Duane, “…raised enough money to purchase 3 Vecta Distraction Stations at a cost of $6,000 each which will be placed in the Children’s Hospital,” the Tennis Celebrity Clinic, Pro-Am and exhibitions on Saturday were well attended.

Joel Hampton- Doesn't get any better

New to the event this year was Madisen’s Cup, a mini, prize money tournament involving some of the top USPTA Pro Leaguers…and me (hey, sometimes carrying a camera works to your benefit). Anyway, it was a fun competition, with the winners walking away with a tidy little sum (only the IRS has to know…well, I suppose wives too).

Paul D'Amico- Director of Tennis
Photo by Gale Van Rossem

Here are the results per Tournament Director and Madisen’s Match & Cup Host and Director of Tennis at The Landings, Paul D’Amico:

Quarterfinals

Elliot Debolt & Scott Harrington
Madisen's Cup 

Owens/Rager def. D’Amico/Barnes 6-0, 6-3

Andreae/Encalada def. Katterfield/Hampton 6-4, 6-3

Harrington/Debolt def. Diggs/Niles 6-3, 6-2

Fourgeau/Jerome def. Rebolledo/Maloney 6-4, 6-4

Semi-Finals

Owens/Rager def. Fourgeau/Jerome 6-3, 6-1

Harrington/Debolt def. Andreae/Encalada 7-5, 6-3

Finals

Tyler Owens & Denny Rager,
Madisen's Cup Champions

Owens/Rager def. Harrington/Debolt 7-6, 6-2

In giving his assessment of the new event, Paul noted, “I believe that the addition of this event brought some excitement to the overall event. And it is something that we can build on for next year.” Paul went on to thank the sponsors of the entire event, which included 

Madisen & Kerry Kendrick

numerous local businesses (click here for all sponsors), but in addition to the Host Sponsor, The Landings Yacht, Golf & Tennis Club, the Grand Slam Sponsors included Lee County Reprographics, Vein Specialists, McCulloch Sports Consultants (MSC). I suspect Madisen’s Match will be even bigger next year.

Area Leagues

Hideaway Copper Team at Banquet

Other than USTA leagues (which are available year round), our various area leagues, have wrapped up for the season. All of the leagues, Lee County Women’s Tennis League (LCWTL), SCAT, BonEro, 

Breckenridge Copper Team at Banquet

Lee County Men (50 & 70-plus), Southwest Florida Team Tennis (SWFTT), and Ultimate Tennis seemed to have successful 2012-2013 seasons. I’m looking to have my League Round Up done by month’s end if not before.

After attending a few LCWTL banquets and our USPTA District 14 Meeting, there may be some new developments on the horizon for our most populous league. Stay tuned for discussions about those as well. 

Well, I've got to get this out so that anyone who didn't know about the Beach Tennis deadline can register, so I'll be back with you within the next couple of days. This should be a busy rest of the month for the blog. Don't forget to let me know if you want out. Game, set, match...T. A.