FGCU Flying High
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| Men's Tennis Roster Photo courtesy of FGCU website |
I hate to miss such tremendous college tennis right in my
own backyard, but I have only made it to a couple home dates thus far in Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) campaign to defend their A-Sun Men's Tennis Conference title. Last season’s run was
historic, and just about everything Coach C. J. Weber and his guys does from
here on out will only add to the historic heights the program has reached.
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| Lucas Vaz tasting victory Photo courtesy of FGCU website |
This Saturday, April
2 at 6pm at the FGCU campus, the Eagles will try to take their
undefeated home record this season up a tick to 8-0. I’m laying odds on our
Eagles to get the job done against the Spartans of University of South CarolinaUpstate (USCU). The Eagles will have another chance to pad their record next
week as they battle Stetson at home on Saturday, April 9 at 6pm. As I look over Coach Weber’s
latest email, I see that I’m not really doing the Eagles justice here.
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| Coach Weber Chillin' |
Coach Weber, in his emailed reasons to come out and break
records this Saturday, wrote, “We’re going
streaking!!! And by that, I mean we have several streaks alive and on the
line this coming Saturday. We have a 15 match regular season conference
match winning streak, dating back to March 14th, 2014! We have an overall winning streak of 11 in
the conference, including the conference tournament; dating back to April 19th, 2014.
And we have not lost a match in the NEST since February 28th,
2015…this gives us a home match winning streak 12. So help us defend the NEST
one more time this year, and keep all these streaks alive!”
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| CJ & Andres Alfonso Photo courtesy of FGCU website |
If you need a little more
incentive, in addition to the terrific tennis you’ll see, Saturday is Coach
Weber’s birthday AND it is Country Club Day. That means the club with the most
members in attendance will win a free exhibition from the FGCU men's tennis
team, and those are a ton of fun. I’ve been to a couple. Oh, and it costs you
absolutely nothing to watch our A-Sun conference champions do their thing.
Hank Jungle Memorial
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| Hank Jungle |
You may not have known Hank Jungle, but those who did know him know that he was not only a uniquely effective tennis coach, but also as iconic a
tennis character as Fort Myers has seen. That unique character is being
celebrated at the 5th Annual
Hank Jungle Memorial Tennis Benefit at Cypress Lake Country Club on Sunday, April 10, beginning at 8:30am. Hank’s
teaching is responsible for some of the better games in town (right Dawg, Jonas?),
and his legacy lives on in his students.
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| Terry See |
Terry See, Cypress’ Director/Head Tennis Professional is
serving up some treats at the event. Women’s and Men’s Pro-Ams ($75), where
participants will have the thrill of teaming with members of Florida Gulf Coast
University’s (FGCU) men’s and women’s tennis teams; rated doubles tourneys for
women and men ($35); and exhibition play by FGCU players.
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| Hank in action |
Hank’s widow, Patsy
Jungle, a character in her own right, will be on hand to preside over the
proceedings. It sure sounds like a blast to honor an individual who had a blast on
the tennis court whether he was playing or teaching.
Proceeds from the event will be earmarked for FGCU’s tennis
programs and court sponsors ($250) are welcomed. Yep, your participation will
contribute to that award-winning program in your own backyard. Contact Terry at
(239) 851-6663 or terry@cypresslakecc.com
for additional information.
Steve Shortridge Celebration
of Life
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| Steve Shortridge |
A few days later, Saturday April 16, from 4 – 7pm, Colonial Country Club will host another memorial, this one for recently departed and legendary Tennis Professional Steve Shortridge.
There are so many stories to
tell about Steve that it would take far more than three hours to tell them. But the event at Colonial will give those of us who admired, respected, and loved Steve an
opportunity to celebrate who he was and how he contributed to our lives. So
many of my students tell me that they got their start in the game with Steve
and Lanny Kalpin at Oasis. I’m looking forward to that event!
Tennis for a Better
Life Racquet Drive
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| Paul Segodo in Benin Photo courtesy of TFABL website |
While I’m at it, I need to mention that Paul Segodo,
Director of Tennis at Palmira Golf & Country Club and founder of Tennis for a Better Life (TFABL),
a non-profit organization that seeks to uplift children through tennis, is
promoting a racquet drive. Tennis has lifted Paul to the life he now leads and
he, through TFABL (or “Too Fabulous” as I think of it), is doing the same thing
for others. Although this is called a racquet drive, if you have shoes, grips, and/clothing
that can still be used, please contact
Paul at tfbl@tennisforabetterlife.org.
I can’t wait to get enough time and energy to do a season recap. It has been some season for us at The Hideaway and I imagine for all of you wherever you’ve played. So many kudos, so little time! Keep an eye out though; I’m determined to do what I can to pay this season, and the people who have made it so rewarding, ample tribute. Until then, game, set, match….T. A.
