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Table of Contents J u n e 2012
USTA Florida Section Staff
FEATURES 8 Super Senior League Sectionals Teams advance to represent USTA Florida at USTA League Nationals
9 Former USTA Florida Jr. State Closed Name Change The most important junior tournament in the USTA Florida Section has been renamed for Florida junior tennis development legend Bobby Curtis
10 UF Women Claim 2nd Straight NCAA Team Championship The unstoppable University of Florida women’s tennis team blanks No. 1 UCLA for 2nd straight title
11 Florida Tennis on Campus Changes
A new calendar is debuted for the 2012-13 season of Tennis on Campus in Florida
13 Ten-hut 10 and Under Tennis
ilitary children play 10 and Under Tennis during Orlando M Soldier Reintegration Program
DEPARTMENTS 3
President’s Message
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Around the Courts
12 Volunteer of the Month 15 Florida Region Columnists 24 Junior Profile 25 Quick Shots JUNE 2012
RESOURCES DIVISION Doug Booth Executive Director 386-671-8925 booth@florida.usta.com Lynne Salus Volunteer Development & 954-625-6259 Meetings Manager salus@florida.usta.com Linda Matthews Executive Administrator 386-671-8940 matthews@florida.usta.com Julie Claude Accounting Specialist 386-671-8933 claude@florida.usta.com
PLAY TENNIS DIVISION – COMMUNITY TENNIS Andy McFarland Associate Executive Director, 386-671-8927 Play Tennis Division mcfarland@florida.usta.com Linda Curtis Director of Community Tennis 386-671-8934 curtisL@florida.usta.com Rebecca Halpern Schools Coordinator 386-671-8928 halpern@florida.usta.com Michelle Brown Team Tennis Coordinator 386-671-8937 brownm@florida.usta.com Elizabeth Coates Administrative Assistant 386-671-8943 coates@florida.usta.com Debbie Ellsworth 10 & Under TMI Coordinator 561-313-1083 Village of Wellington ellsworth@florida.usta.com Sheryl Rivas 10 & Under TMI Coordinator 407-551-9798 Seminole County rivas@florida.usta.com Amanda Becker Tennis Program Coordinator, 904-281-1187 North Region 2 becker@florida.usta.com
Susie Bessire
T ennis Program Coordinator, 941-629-4733 Regions 5 & 7 bessire@florida.usta.com George English Tennis Program Coordinator, 850-510-6585 Region 1 english@florida.usta.com Shelly Licorish Tennis Program Coordinator, 407-403-5686 West Region 4 licorish@florida.usta.com Cathy Nordlund Tennis Program Coordinator, 305-252-6591 South Region 8 nordlund@florida.usta.com Janet Sprague Tennis Program Coordinator, 561-385-7399 Region 6 sprague@florida.usta.com Carla Williams Tennis Program Coordinator, 561-385-7399 Region 3 williams@florida.usta.com Molly Zimmer Tennis Program Coordinator, 216-406-8627 East Region 4 zimmer@florida.usta.com
LEAGUES Sandy Marshall Director of Leagues/SLC 386-671-8932 marshall@florida.usta.com Dona Garcia Adult & Senior League 386-671-8936 Coordinator garcia@florida.usta.com Jodi Manning Mixed, Combo and Super 386-671-8939 Sr. Leagues Coordinator manning@florida.usta.com Kelly Vanhorn Administrative Assistant 386-671-8926 vanhorn@florida.usta.com
COMPETITIVE TENNIS Andy Gladstone Ann Brown Bobby Curtis
ompetitive Tennis Coordinator 386-671-8931 C gladstone@florida.usta.com Competitive Education 386-671-8942 Coordinator brown@florida.usta.com Sanctions Coordinator 386-671-8926 curtis@florida.usta.com
MARKETING / MEMBERSHIP / COMMUNICATIONS Laura Bowen José Medina Rick Vach
irector of Marketing 386-671-8930 D & Membership bowen@florida.usta.com Information Technology 386-671-8929 Coordinator medina@florida.usta.com Communications Coordinator 904-535-9489 vach@florida.usta.com visit us online at www.ustaflorida.com
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President’s Message Playing Up…or Playing Down ay, way back in my younger tennis pro days, I coached a talented group of women on an A-2 Broward league team, encouraging them up front to come see me if they were unhappy with anything during the season. After Dan Casey, USTA Florida President several quality practices, I set the line-up for our five doubles teams for our first match, and we proceeded to smoke our first opponents 5-0 with high-quality play.
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don’t disagree, as both men and women take their leagues and positions on their teams seriously, and as a pro, you need to discuss positioning transparently and intelligently. He explained his biggest challenge was that the very, very large percentage of players, men and women, feel that the key to their improvement is playing at the highest level with the strongest partner available. Everyone feels they play better “moving up” versus staying at their current level, or heaven forbid, “moving down.” He claims this applies to men and women, open play or in leagues; it’s human nature.
However, all was not well, as literally nine out of the 10 of women called me to complain about their partner, or position, or both! It was a Kodak moment when I reported this to them at our first practice back, as everyone looked like “I didn’t complain….” So with the touch of a gorilla, I told them my open door policy just changed to “I can’t possibly please all of you, so bottom line, I am setting the line-up without further comments,” and that was that. We went on to have a solid season.
The problem created by human nature is that when nearly everyone desires moving up, the corresponding amount of players don’t exist that want to play down! Tennis play is like the stock market, where you need a seller to accommodate a corresponding buyer. So if you are currently winning about 50 percent of your matches in social play or in leagues, understand you are at the proper level, and if you are so lucky to find materially stronger partners for leagues or stronger social opponents, acknowledge it and thank them, as it will likely improve your game. Realize, however, that accommodating your playing up is the exception, not the rule, and they are doing the less popular thing, playing down.
Tom Mastromarino, a highly-respected teaching pro, laughed at my story and said I would be immediately out of job in most clubs today if I showed that “take it or leave it” attitude on line-ups for league matches. I
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Lastly, your pro will appreciate your understanding of this concept when they set your league line-up.
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Courts Around the
Gainesville, Jacksonville Teams Score at USTA Super Senior 6.0 and 8.0 League Nationals eams representing the USTA Florida Section placed second and third at the 2011 USTA League Super Senior 6.0 and 8.0 National Championships, wrapping up last year’s regular-season league play, held at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex in Surprise, Ariz., on April 20-22, 2012.
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The Gainesville team includes Johnston, a wheelchair player who was making his second appearance at a USTA League National Championship, approximately 20 years after becoming the first wheelchair player to play USTA League tennis.
The Florida 6.0 Super Senior men’s team from Gainesville finished runner-up to the San Juan, P.R. team, representing the USTA Caribbean Section, by a team score of 3-0.
“I was the very first one to play able-bodied USTA League tennis,” said the 63-year-old Johnston, who reached a career-high wheelchair tennis ranking of No. 24 in the world. “I started telling other guys in chairs about it, trying to get them involved. There are not many of us. I would say probably 10 to 15 at most.”
The Gainesville team was comprised of captain Patrick Phelan, Albert Guarino, William Lee Wiltbank, Peter Amish, John William Johnston, Alex Kesler, Raymond Findley, Malcolm Maden, and Russ Metler.
The Gainesville Super Senior Men’s 6.0 second-place finishers JUNE 2012
The Florida 8.0 Super Senior women from Jacksonville placed third, defeating USTA Intermountain 3-0 in the 3rd/4th place playoff.
The Jacksonville Super Senior Women’s 8.0 third-place finishers visit us online at www.ustaflorida.com
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Around the Courts Manzo Honored with Naming of Tennis Center in Ft. Myers Lee County commissioners renamed the Tennis Center at Three Oaks Park in honor of retiring Lee Parks & Recreation Director and USTA Florida volunteer Barbara Manzo at the May 1, 2012, board meeting. The facility now will be called the Barbara Manzo Tennis Center at Three Oaks Park. Manzo has been with Lee County Parks & Recreation for 22 years. May 2 was her last day of overseeing a department with 250 positions, a $25 million budget and more than 29,400 acres of parks, preserves, facilities and other sites. The move to change the tennis facility’s name came from the Lee County Community Tennis Association Board of Directors. “For the past 21 years, Barbara has distinguished herself as an advocate, innovator and architect of a model tennis program in Lee County,” said Interim Executive Director Harriett Bohannon, who called the Three Oaks facility “a flagship tennis center.” JUNE 2012
Junior Awards Round-up Florida juniors received a number of national-level awards and grants in May. USTA national awarded two grants to Florida juniors when Tallahassee high school student Terrell Whitehurst was selected as a recipient of the 2012 Althea Gibson Leadership Grant, and high school student Lola Fadulu of Vero Beach was selected as a recipient of the 2012 Okechi Womeodu Scholar-Athlete Grant. Whitehurst received $2,500 to help further his tennis pursuits in honor of the memory, life and achievements of tennis pioneer and Hall-of-Famer Althea Gibson, who broke the color barrier in tennis and became the first African-American to win a U.S. Championships [now known as the US Open] title. Whitehurst, a two-time recipient of the grant, is in his junior year as a home-schooled student with a 3.7 GPA. In addition to his solid academic performance, Whitehurst trains five days a week at the Florida State University Seminole High Performance Program, and at the Southside Tennis Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Fadulu received $5,000 to help further her tennis pursuits in memory of the former junior national champion Okechi Womeodu, who died in 2004 at the age of 16. Fadulu recently completed her junior year at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, where she maintains a 4.2 GPA. Her demanding academic course schedule consists of several Advanced
Placement classes including Chinese and Spanish. Fadulu has been equally as successful on-court as off. She trains with her school’s tennis team and receives private lessons from a coach at a local sports club. University of West Florida sophomore Terrell Whitehurst Bruno Savi was awarded by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association as the South Region Player to Watch. Savi, from Santana do Livramento, Brazil, made an impact in his first year for West Florida, playing at the No. 1 and 2 singles positions and No. 1 doubles spot. The sophomore was named GSC Player of the Year, and currently ranks No. 11 in the country in singles and No. 2 in doubles with partner Kevin Ducros (Aix-en-Provence, France). Embry-Riddle player David Spennare received the ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship for NAIA schools. Spennare, having never done community service before arriving in the United States, volunteers his time with a number of different projects, from Habitat for Humanity to helping run clinics for underprivileged children. He is also a member of the Student Athlete Leadership Team, helping further grow his leadership skills both on and off the court. visit us online at www.ustaflorida.com
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Around the Courts Spennare has been recognized with numerous awards already in his career, including being an ITA Scholar athlete last season, and the NAIA Champions of Character Award. He currently holds a 3.92 GPA while majoring in business.
Adult Awards Round-up Numerous adult players and coaches from Florida received awards in May. Members of the U.S. junior and pro tennis community were honored in May with national awards as part of the United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Derrick Racine Coaching Recognition Program. USTA Lead National Coach Kathy Rinaldi of Boca Raton was named the 2011 USOC National Coach of the Year for Tennis; and Craig Boynton of Tampa was named USOC “Doc” Counsilman Coach of the Year for Tennis for his contributions to the sport in the areas of training and conditioning. Rinaldi is currently a USTA Lead National Coach who works full-time out of the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla. Rinaldi was instrumental in helping a number of young American girls achieve strong results in 2011, including Samantha Crawford winning the 2011 USTA International Spring Championships in Carson, Calif., and Caroline Doyle winning the girls’ 16s title at the 2011 Easter Bowl in Rancho JUNE 2012
Las Palmas, Calif. Additionally, she helped Taylor Townsend become the highest-ranked junior player on the WTA Rankings.
contributed more than 200 hours of community service, while recognized in the classroom with an overall team GPA of 3.3.
For the past three years, Boynton has worked with American professional John Isner, who has recorded victories over world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in 2012, and recently made his debut in the ATP World Tour Top 10. Boynton’s approach focuses on developing his players into more wellrounded athletes as it relates to performance, as well as his belief that training methods should differ for each of tennis’ playing surfaces.
USTA Florida Jr. Team Tennis 2012 T-Shirt Design Contest
University of West Florida Men’s Tennis Head Coach Derrick Racine was announced as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division II National Coach of the Year. It was the third time Racine has received the national honor. His two other awards came in 2003 and 2005, and he also won the honor for women’s tennis in 2002. Racine has led the Argonauts to the NCAA tournament in each of his 14 seasons at UWF, winning national championships in 2004 and 2005. Racine also led the team to its ninth Gulf South Conference championship, and sixth under Racine. Embry-Riddle tennis coach Dave Paschal was named the Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year. Paschal was also named the Sun Conference Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season. His team is currently third in the nation, earning wins over three different NCAA Division I programs. This year’s Embry-Riddle squad has also
The deadline is July 1, 2012, for submissions to the 2012 USTA Florida T-Shirt Design Contest. “If your design is seriously awesome, it will be up for the community to vote on within a few days,” says USTA Florida Team Tennis Coordinator Michelle Brown. “Voting will be on Facebook on the USTA Florida Jr. Team Tennis page, and by the USTA Florida committee.” To vote or see submissions go to www.facebook. com/pages/USTA-Florida-Jr-Team-Tennis. Designs can be painted, drawn, photographed or created entirely on a computer. “Nearly any way you can think of to create artwork can be made into a tee,” Brown says. “But no matter how you create it, your work has to be put on the computer. So make sure you scan your design at a high resolution, at least 150 dpi, if you created the image by hand. Photographing a drawing and submitting it is not recommended.” To submit a design, e-mail Michelle Brown at brownm@florida.usta.com and attach the design file. visit us online at www.ustaflorida.com
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Senior Sectionals Melbourne Wins 2; Daytona, Naples Champs at USTA Senior League Tennis Championships
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ne lone tennis center in Melbourne captured half of the titles over the weekend as the USTA Florida 3.0 & 4.0 Senior League Section Championships were contested on May 18-20, 2012, at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. Two teams representing Fee Ave. Courts in Melbourne won the Senior Women 4.0 and Senior Men 4.0 championships, advancing to nationals to represent USTA Florida in their respective divisions. Other winners over the weekend were Naples in the Senior Women 3.0 division, and Daytona Beach in the Senior Men 3.0 division. Daytona Beach advances to nationals in the Senior Men 3.0 division for the second consecutive year. USTA Senior League teams are comprised of players 50 years or older, ranging in NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) levels from 3.0 to 4.5, in doubles play only. Here are the final results, including team home tennis clubs and winning team members:
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SENIOR WOMEN 3.0 DIVISION Final: Collier County (Naples, Pelican Bay Community Park) d. Duval County (Jacksonville, Deercreek Country Club) 3-0
Winning Team Members: Susan Marco (captain), Laurie Dunn Rieks, Deanna Seifried, Ronnie Trifelos, Kathleen Donohue, Barbara Ann Pikal, Martha Korson, Patricia Pino, Lisa Giuttari, Susanne Navarro, Roanna Handy, Anne Lore Bay
The Women’s 3.0 champions from Collier County/Naples
SENIOR WOMEN 4.0 DIVISION Final: Brevard County (Melbourne, Fee Ave. Courts) d. Broward County 2-1
Winning Team Members: Heather Schleicher (captain), Diane Breitfeller, Teresa Dawn Keeney, Linda Hosch, Terry Taylor, Patti Reeder, Marilyn Webster, Karen Clark Tedder, Lorraine Totty, Brenda Weed, Carolyn Sue Saxon, Shagg Catri
The Women’s 4.0 champions from Brevard County/Melbourne
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Senior Sectionals SENIOR MEN 3.0 Final: Volusia County (Daytona Beach, Florida Tennis Center) d. Marion County (Ocala, Ft. King Tennis Center) 3-0
Winning Team Members: Bruce Cotten (captain), Ronald Vedova, Roger King, William Joseph Shea, Ned Rowley, Garrett Charles Lane, Bill Masters, Jamie Boyle, Ken Gaines
SENIOR MEN 4.0 Final: Brevard County (Melbourne, Fee Ave. Courts) d. South Miami-Dade (Miami, Alper Jewish Community Center) 3-0
Winning Team Members: Tony Bender (captain), John Forsythe, Kevin Bonitz, Ronald Richardson, Stewart Miller, Bob Eisenhauer, Darrel Kanagy, Kevin John Mawn, Charles Tatro
The Men’s 3.0 champions from Volusia County/Daytona Beach
Division winners advance to represent Florida at the 2012 USTA League 3.0 Senior National Championship on Oct. 5-7, 2012, at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., or the 2012 USTA League 4.0 Senior National Championship on Oct. 26-28, 2012, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif.
The Men’s 4.0 champions from Brevard County/Melbourne JUNE 2012
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Jr. State Closed USTA Florida Renames Top Junior Tennis Event After Legend Bobby Curtis
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eginning in June 2012, the USTA Florida Jr. State Closed Championships will henceforth be known as the USTA Florida Bobby Curtis Junior State Championships, named after the man who has come to embody junior tennis in Florida. “In December I learned the [USTA Florida] Junior Council had voted to name the Jr. State Closed singles and doubles after me, and [USTA Florida Executive Director] Doug Booth announced it at the annual meeting, and I almost fell over my feet,” Curtis said. “It was pretty neat, and it’s a real honor for me.”
there was an established headquarters office, Curtis worked out of his room at home. He was one of the initial organizers of the Florida Section’s top junior event, which at that time had no entry fee — participants only had to bring one can of new balls.
“Bobby Curtis really has been junior tennis in Florida, ever since I’ve been alive,” said the former world No. 1 Courier. “If you’re at a tennis tournament and Bobby’s there, you know you’re in the right place. He really does signify what’s good and true about tennis in Florida. He does it for all the right reasons — he cares about the kids, he cares about the sport, and he’s always ensuring that the whole of junior tennis is successful.”
Since then the event has evolved into the top starmaking USTA section junior event of the 17 USTA sections, giving a preview of the next wave of college and pro tour players. Many current Florida junior players can cite parents who have played the event. It is also one of the few major junior events that combine boys’ and girls’ singles, doubles, and mixed doubles in the same event.
The USTA Florida Section’s first employee, before
To read more CLICK HERE
Curtis guided the likes of Florida juniors Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Brian Gottfried, Jay Berger, Mary Joe Fernandez, and Chris Evert among others as they rose through Florida tournament play, the various age group ranks, and represented Florida at USTA national events.
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by Rick Vach, www.ustaflorida.com
Can Florida-Player-Centric UF Women’s Tennis Win 3 in a Row?
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he The University of Florida women’s tennis team is entering Stanfordtype territory, in May winning its second consecutive NCAA women’s title. Unfair comparison? While it’s difficult to put any team side by side with the Stanford Lady Cardinals overall 16 NCAA women’s tennis titles (the Florida Lady Gators are second with six), Florida is approaching Stanford’s rarified air space, now looking at a potential third title in a row during the upcoming 2012-13 season starting this fall. The last school to win three women’s tennis NCAA titles in a row? Stanford, naturally, in 2004-06. In this year’s NCAA tournament the Lady Cardinals were shocked 4-2 by No. 4-ranked USC in the quarterfinals. Stanford will return their full roster next season with no seniors on the 2011-12 team. Florida meanwhile must have a player step up to replace key senior Joanna Mather. “She’s been our leader for three years and she’s been our safety blanket, providing tremendous security for this team, so we’ll have to rely on several people to provide that,” said UF head coach Roland Thornqvist.
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Also in the mix next year will be Duke, who UF edged 4-3 in the 2012 semifinals, and UCLA, the No. 1 squad that UF blanked 4-0 in the final. While the top-seeded UCLA looked flat coming into the final, UF rebounded from a difficult semifinal to sweep to victory, a result Thornqvist attributed to team fitness. “I really think all those wind sprints, all the grass workouts, all the Gator Mountains, all those things that were painful certainly paid off,” Thornqvist said. “Because without them, we could not have rebounded from yesterday’s humongous battle against Duke and be as fresh as we were today. I thought we
were absolutely fantastic and outstanding from start to finish.” In contrast to many schools whose line-ups are dominated by international players, the UF women’s line-up is comprised primarily of home-grown Florida players that grew up competing in USTA Florida Section events. Alex Cercone (Seminole), Lauren Embree (Marco Island), Olivia Janowicz (Palm Bay), and Allie Will (Boca Raton) comprise the heart of the Lady Gators. To read more CLICK HERE.
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Tennis on Campus
New-look Format for USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ 2012-13 Club Calendar
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This fall the 2012-13 season of USTA Florida ‘Tennis on Campus’ will get a new look, as coed club tennis teams from universities and colleges across the state will compete at three levels of events — Grand Slam, Masters, and Tour. Hosting Grand Slam events will be the defending state champion University of Central Florida in Orlando, the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida State University in Tallahassee, and the University of South Florida in Tampa. “The upcoming season for Tennis on Campus has been a great collaboration among our active clubs,” said USTA Florida Team Tennis Coordinator Michelle Brown. “Club presidents and vice presidents were very involved in the process. Each of the Grand Slam and Masters series will have round robin play on Saturday and bracket play on Sunday with Gold, Silver, and Bronze
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Divisions. This consistency of WTT format and play will enhance each of the series events. Our hope with this year’s schedule is that we will be able to attract more schools to create clubs and participate. With the WTT format, a school needs only two men and two women to compete. To entice them even more, any new club may participate at either the West Coast Invite or East Coast Invite for free. Thanks to all the student involvement this year, I am looking forward to a great season.” Schools can submit a request to add an event to the 2012-13 USTA Florida Tennis on Campus calendar, pending approval by the USTA Florida Section for tournament points. In addition to the winner of the 2012-13 Florida Tennis on Campus Championship winner advancing to national, the 2012-13 season points leader will also receive a national bid.
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Volunteer of the Month Parker, Jax PE Teacher, Named USTA Florida May Tennis Volunteer of the Month ABOUT CHARLIE Birthplace: Huntsville, Ala. Family Members: Wife, daughter, son, parents Favorite Movie: Inception, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Shawshank Redemption...impossible to pick just one Favorite Food: Plate of salmon, fresh steamed veggies, and homemade wheat bread or sweet potato Favorite Travel: Sky Lake, Ga. Favorite Shot: Stepping in, return of serve down-theline against serve and vollyer If I could play tennis with three people, they would be... My grandfather that I never met (died before I was born) and my grandchildren I have not yet. When I am not playing tennis I am... Enjoying my two kids and their unending energy and enthusiasm; tackling home improvement projects while also searching for a new house; participating in running events with my wife; biking with the kids to grandparents’ house and spending time with other family and friends; catching up on TV shows or movies through Hulu or Netflix with my wife after kids are asleep, since we never have time during the day; and, of course, working full time as a PE teacher. My best-ever tennis memory is... Playing for over 30 years it’s hard to pick just one — winning a silly ‘no more’ tennis drill as a young kid in which the winner was the person whom lasted longest and hit the most balls until exhausted, saying ‘no more.’ JUNE 2012
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acksonville elementary school physical education teacher Charlie Parker’s memories of junior tennis include father-son events, trips with other youth to weekend tournaments, and group tennis drills and games that ended with exhausted smiles and laughter. Now with a son and daughter, Parker is introducing his own children to the game through 10 and Under Tennis, as well as his physical education students, and the tots he oversees as volunteer director of 10 and Under Tennis at Boone Park, a City of Jacksonville facility, on the city’s west side.
clay public courts at Bayview in Pensacola, Florida, and wanting desperately to play,” Parker says. “Now I hear the joyful anticipation from my children as they ask once again if it is tennis day yet.” At Boone Park, Parker assists programs run by the Jax Youth Tennis Association (JYTA), which partners with the City of Jacksonville (JaxParks) for 10 and Under Tennis and USTA Jr. Team Tennis leagues. The JYTA was founded by Celia Rehm, who recruited Parker when the program started.
“Charlie has contributed in so many ways as a volunteer to our 10 and Under Tennis program at Boone Park “It’s particularly rewarding to volunteer in the 10 and since the onset of the program in 2010,” Rehm says. Under Tennis program,” Parker says, “because the “His service to our organization, to JaxParks, and his majority of the young players have little to no prior commitment to the 10 and Under Tennis program tennis involvement. The real progress they often at Boone Park has been outstanding. We have run make in a short period can be exciting to experience. the program for three seasons, and each season he I specifically enjoy volunteering in 10 and Under has generously given of his time and skill as the lead Tennis because I agree strongly with the philosophy instructor for the 8-and-under groups coming out of making learning ‘fun’ to keep more children twice a week for seven weeks each season. The children interested in the game so many of us love.” love him and I have received nothing but praise from parents and the Boone staff on the job that he does.” Parker is particularly knowledgeable about tennis and development via his physical education Parker has also gone out of his way to secure 10 and background and knowledge of small-child Under Tennis school equipment through USTA Florida development, complemented by his background grants, including child-sized racquets, lower-bouncing as a junior competitive player. He says he longs to balls and smaller nets and court sizes, for use in his continue to pass on the love he felt for tennis as a elementary classes. youngster to develop the “sport of a lifetime” in his USTA Florida congratulates Charlie Parker as the current crop of kids. May 2012 Volunteer of the Month for his service to “I remember watching my dad play tennis on the red elementary school and public parks tennis youth. visit us online at www.ustaflorida.com
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10 and Under
Military Children Play 10 and Under Tennis during Orlando Soldier Reintegration Program
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ilitary children, their families and friends were introduced to 10 and Under Tennis on April 28, 2012, in Orlando when more than 560 service members, family members and children participated in the 81st RSC “Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program” (YRRP). The YRRP is a mandatory 30, 60, and 90-day post deployment event for soldiers, where each soldier may bring family, friends, parents, or others to participate. Soldiers are required to attend seminars such as Financial Readiness, Medical/Dental Care, Combat Stress, Family Programs, and Life Consultants among others.
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“While their parents were in seminars, USTA Florida provided tennis to their children,” said USTA Florida Orlando-area Tennis Program Coordinator Shelly Licorish. “Typically, the kids at these events don’t have anything to do while there. The soldiers and their families were so
thankful, and it is was a truly heart-warming experience for everyone.” Children also received free USTA 10 and Under Tennis memberships and information on local programs.
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10 and Under “The tennis event was a big hit,” said Army Reserve Child, Youth and School Services Youth Services Specialist Jennifer Stevens, 81st Regional Support Command. “We had a lot going on that day, because of Month of the Military Child, and the tennis carnival was a very nice addition. Parents and children as well as our command leadership were very pleased.” The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, and their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Through Yellow Ribbon events, service members and loved ones connect with local resources before, during, and after deployments. Reintegration during postdeployment is a critical time for members of the Guard and Reserve, as they often live far from military installations and members of their units. USTA Florida hosted an additional YRRP 10 and Under Tennis day on May 11-13, and will host another on June 8-10 in Orlando.
For more information on 10 and Under Tennis at Soldier reintegration Programs in Florida, contact Shelly Licorish at Licorish@florida.usta.com.
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Region 1 East
by Kelly Tucker
Tournament Benefits Foster Children Statewide
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he 2nd Annual “Perfect Match Tournament,” using a doubles-only format, was held at Florida A&M University on May 19. The proceeds from the tournament went to One Church One Child (OCOC) of Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to find families and permanent homes for children waiting in the foster care system. OCOC is funded in part through support from the Florida Department of Children and Families, private donations, grants, and fundraisers. Tournament Director and Deputy Director of One Church One Child, Reverend Al Williams, said, “We are pleased with the results of the tournament and the fact that more than $5,000 was raised in only the second year of the event. The purpose of the tournament was not only to raise money, but more importantly to raise awareness about adoption and the children that are waiting for ever-loving families to call their own.” Support for the tournament came from many community volunteers who sponsored a community awareness event, as well as a social and educational outing for some of the youth in foster care, and children from the local community. More than 30 children were treated to a tennis clinic organized by the City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department, followed by a tour of FAMU’s fitness facility,
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Organizers and children from the tennis clinic at the Perfect Match Tournament
which included a presentation on healthy eating, exercise, and nutrition education. Each child was also given a cook book donated by the Governor’s Office on behalf of the Florida Department of Agriculture on how to eat healthy and how to prepare healthy meals. The results of the tournament were: Men’s Doubles – winners John Lamkin and Lester Small, and runners-up Brennan Abramowitz and Alan Abramowitz; Mixed Doubles – winners Alan
Abramowitz and Lauren Dupuis, and runnersup Brandon Mauer and Jen Kjellerup; Men’s Consolation Doubles – winners Al Broomfield and Dwayne Gordon, and runners-up Ronnie Nicholson and Taylor Harvey; and Consolation Mixed Doubles – winners Al Williams and Lauren Dupuis, and runners-up Lynn and Louis Dupuis. For more information on One Church One Child, visit www.ococfl.org or email info@ococfl.org.
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USTA FLORIDA SECTION
Region 1 West
by Scott Harrison
UWF’s Racine Named ITA Division II Men’s National Coach of the Year
A
t the writing of this piece, the UWF men’s tennis team was still alive in the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament in Louisville, KY. Leading in all three doubles matches, the Argos were rained out on the first day. The Argos (25-2) were ranked #2 in the nation at the beginning of the tournament and had won 16 straight matches. Check out the NCAA Division II Men’s Bracket at: http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/tennismen/d2. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) named University of West Florida (UWF) head coach Derrick Racine its Division II Men’s Tennis National Coach of the Year. Racine’s national coach of the year honor was the third of his career in men’s tennis. Racine has led the Argonauts to the NCAA Tournament in each of his 14 seasons at the helm, winning national championships in 2004 and 2005.
No. 5 Valdosta State. Argo Bruno Savi (Brazil) was named GSC Player of the Year, joining Coach Racine as Men’s Coach of the Year. In addition to Savi, Argos Kevin Ducros (France), Andrey Pozhidaev (Russia) and Elio Latela (Australia) were named to the All-GSC Men’s Tennis Team. The No. 9-ranked University of West Florida women’s tennis team ended its 2012 season with a 1-5 decision to No. 4-ranked Lynn in the finals of NCAA Division II South Regional #2 in Boca Raton. The Argos finished the season with a 22-7 record. Senior Barbara Oliveira (Brazil), Freshman Sheila Smiley (Canada) and junior Mariana Sonnervig (Brazil) made the All-GSC First Team while Senior Caitlyn Baines (Fort Walton Beach) earned Second Team GSC honors. Oliveira received GSC Player of the Year accolades while head coach Derrick Racine took home GSC Coach of the Year honors.
Two weeks earlier the Argos won the NCAA Division II South Regional #1 with a 5-1 victory over No. 6-ranked Rollins. The Argos were the No. 1-ranked team in the South Region.
In addition to Baines, Florida Region 1 contributed Jessica Hsu (Pensacola) and Jacqueline March (Santa Rosa Beach) to the Argo women’s team.
Eight days before the region tournament, Racine led the men’s team to its sixth Gulf South Conference championship with a 5-1 victory over
All in all it was a terrific year for Argo tennis. Go Argos!!
Derrick Racine JUNE 2012
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Region 2
by Rick Vach
Jacksonville, PVB Teams One Step from Senior Nationals
T
hey didn’t advance to nationals, but congratulations to the two Region 2 teams from Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach that came one step away, finishing as finalists in their divisions at the USTA Florida 3.0-4.5 Senior League Section Championships, held during the weekends of May 4-5 and May 18-20 at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach. In the Senior Women 3.0 division, the team from Deercreek Country Club in Jacksonville reached
The Ponte Vedra Senior Women 4.5 finalists
the final where they were handed a 3-0 defeat by the Collier County team out of Pelican Bay Community Park in Naples. The Deercreek team’s roster included Bonnie King, Janet Daechsel (captain), Joanne Mahoney, Linda Proudfoot, Dena Grossman, Jyothi Berman, Karen Sayre, Donna Bernard, and Carol Ann D’Onofrio. In the Senior Women 4.5 division, the team from the Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club was edged 2-1 in the final by the squad from Pinellas County, playing out of St. Petersburg. The Ponte Vedra team’s roster was comprised of Patricia Livesay, Rose Caven (captain), Shelly Painter, Margaret Grantham, Anne Carlson, Holly Kartsonis, Donna Kamke, Jennifer Morrison, Tricia Springman, Jan Sisko, Rebecca Sejeck, and Kimberly Crowell. USTA Senior League teams are comprised of players 50 years or older, ranging in NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) levels from 3.0 to 4.5, in doubles play only. Congratulations to all teams representing Region 2 at the USTA League senior sectional.
The Jacksonville Senior Women 3.0 finalists JUNE 2012
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USTA FLORIDA SECTION
Region 3
by Nancy Morgan
HCTA Volunteers Rule
H
illsborough County Tennis Association (HCTA) hosted its largest Spring Jr. Team Tennis (JTT) League for the 8-and-under and 10-and-under divisions, and the support of HCTA members and local tennis volunteers were credited with its success. “No way possible could the league have been successful without their support during the season,” said Manny Lontok, HCTA’s JTT coordinator. “Without them stepping up to help, as well as volunteers from the tennis community, the league would not have been a success. Their help was key in helping matches go well.” Key roles for the volunteers included court monitoring and helping with court positioning, scoring and rulings. The spring league included eight 8-and-under teams and 10 squads in the 10-and-under division. The league was held at the HCC Tennis Complex in Tampa utilizing their permanent 10 and Under Tennis courts. About 25 volunteers assisted during the league matches. Plans are for a summer league with hopes of adding a second site. Contact Manny Lontok, many@tampatennis.org for details.
JUNE 2012
Three-time unbeaten Jr. Hawks 8-and-under Red Team in Hillsborough: Coach Ron Hakala, Andrew Wilson, Maia Lontok, Sofia Sanchez, Zach Wilson, Jack Lambert, Coach Ty Middleton.
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Region 4
by Susie Rahimitibar
World Class Tennis Academy with a Deeper Purpose
K
ING of KINGS Tennis is a world-class tennis program that specializes in player development, operating at the Sheraton Vistana Resort tennis courts near the Walt Disney World Properties.
parents end up picking up the full tab for college as well. And that’s the intangible force behind this movement.”
As you know already, college tuition and all costs involved with sending our kids to college is far from inexpensive. However, without a doubt we still support our kids with their dreams of “making it” to NCAA or NAIA and be a part of the exciting world of tennis at the collegiate level. Fortunate are those players who are given a partial or full scholarship to represent their school all four years.
Among other players, KING of KINGS is currently training former UCF No. 1 Claudio Romano, who just made his professional debut in the USTA Florida Futures in April 2012.
KING of KINGS Director Maxsy Jimenez was granted a full scholarship to play for the University of South Carolina at Columbia in 1993 and this is why he decided to help players with their dreams. “In 1992 I played professionally and toured the world competing in many countries. This combined experience helped me coach at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Wimbledon and US Open among others,” Jimenez said. “KING of KINGS Tennis has opened the door to players whose dreams are to play at a collegiate and professional level. Now tennis parents are seeing that the investment they put in their children’s tennis when they are under 18 is [the vehicle] to save them money in the long run. In other words, if their kids are not being trained properly to achieve their goals for college, the JUNE 2012
This coming summer the academy will have players coming from Europe, South America, Caribbean Islands, and the states to prepare their game for college. This group of players generates a positive impact to our demographics: they bring new challenges in competition for our local players and provide additional revenue for local tournaments/events. Room and board is offered for the program, and the academy runs daily lessons and a junior afterschool program for locals.
Left to right: with Teaching Pro Maxsy Jimenez are Vanessa Larez, Sofia Bruzual, Juan Bruzual, Jordan Belga (Easter Bowl Boys’ 14 winner) and Brenda Larez.
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Region 5
by Lance Martin
League Play Opportunities
U
STA Florida offers its members a plethora of league play opportunities. Region 5 is no exception. With the realignment of league play across the nation, there will be new age levels and the league calendar itself will also change in 2013. In the upcoming summer league, the calendar will be similar to the 2011 calendar. It is expected, but not finalized, that adult combo will be the league offered in Sarasota this summer. The league coordinator for adult combo is Martina Waluk-Gaertner. The sectional championships for adult combo will be in early January 2013. The fall schedule will include senior combo. However, with the realignment, it’s still being determined what, if any, early start leagues will be offered. Here is how the realignment has affected local league coordinators for 2013: Ginger Ayers — 65 & over men and women, 70 & over men and women; Ben Friendly — 18 & over men and women, 40 & over men and women, 55 & over men and women, 18 & over mixed doubles, 40 & over mixed doubles, 55 & over mixed doubles; Martina Waluk-Gaertner — 18 and over combo men and women, 50 and over combo men and women.
JUNE 2012
Ben Friendly
The regional tournament for Southwest Florida will be held on July 13-15, 2012, at Lakewood Ranch tennis center. Southwest Florida includes Naples, Lee/Charlotte, and Bradenton/Sarasota
in 2012. Local league winners from 2.5 through 5.0 will participate in this event. The winners advance to sectionals in August. Best of luck to all league participants!
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Region 7 West Coast Reclaims 9th Annual Florida Cup Tennis Trophy
T
he 9th annual Florida Cup team tennis competition saw the West Coast reclaim the trophy in May from the East Coast, which last year had ended the West’s seven-yearwinning streak Turning around a largest-ever margin loss last year, this year the West defeated the East 34-16 on April 28-29, 2012, at the Waldorf Astoria in Naples, Fla. The competition features men’s age divisions from 35-80 in a Davis Cup team format. “Play was suspended on Saturday because of rain with the West leading 1611,” said West competitor Larry Turville. “On Sunday with what looked like a full day of rain, the competition finished with the West winning 17 or the last 20 matches. Unfortunately for the East, some of their players left early thinking it was going to rain, some the 35’s division had a wedding, and the 80’s just didn’t make at all for the East Coast. However, those who did play were many of the best players in Florida and competition
JUNE 2012
was fierce. A new addition this year was that the tournament helped the Naples Christian Academy in a recycling campaign to raise funds.” Players sweeping their age division in both singles and doubles were Diego Brunicardi and Jonathan Goldfarb (East 35s), Andy Lake (East 40s), Roberto Saad and T.A. Niles (West 50s), Warren Eber and Peter Redpath (West 55s), Larry Turville (West 60s), Larry Albritton and Mike Melnick (West 65s), Elmer Mangrum and Gordon Hammes (West 75s), and the West 80s team which won all its matches by default. The West won the doubles competition for the first time ever (6-4), and the teams combined to field 16 players who were first-time Cup participants. The Waldorf-Astoria Resort hosted the Cup for the first time, and the city of Naples for the seventh time overall. In 2013 the Florida Cup will return to the East Coast of Florida, to be hosted at the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.
FLORIDA CUP HISTORY 2012
West d. East 34-16
2011
East d. West 35-15
2010
West d. East 28-22
2009
West d. East 26-24
2008
West d. East 31-19
2007
West d. East 30-20
2006
West d. East 29-21
2005
West d. East 27-19
2004
West d. East 22-18
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Region 8
by Barbara Eisner Bayer
Tennis Thrives at Spanish River High
T
he future of tennis lies with our children. With that in mind, the Spanish River Community High School Foundation in Boca Raton brought together a group of committed adults at a charity event to raise money for the tennis team on May 20 at the Addison Reserve Country Club. The school’s tennis program has had its share of woes. Last year, the boy’s varsity team claimed the title of Florida state champs – but they had nowhere to play! The school’s courts were in such terrible condition, that they were forced to play their home matches at a neighboring country club. (Talk about losing home court advantage.) The Foundation, established in 2003 by two committed parents, decided to do something about it. Janet Epstein, the director of development, put together a matching gift challenge, whereby every dollar that was donated for the tennis court resurfacing project was matched dollar for dollar by the Foundation, as well as the Parent Teachers Student Association. Within six weeks, they raised the $44,000 that was
necessary to fix the courts, and the tennis team came back home again. Now that’s commitment! This year’s charity event had 49 participants – 33 people who played, and 16 people who joined just for lunch. The festivities raised $5,000. Half of the proceeds will go directly to the tennis team, with the other half going to the Foundation, which will use the money to raise funds to supplement school budgets that have been severely slashed by the state government. Dena Nathanson, one of the round robin winners, participated in the event because it’s a great cause. “Success at a sport is the key to success in life,” she said. “It instills confidence, and teaches how to work as a team. It’s extremely important to have it in high school, so I feel great that I could contribute to the Spanish River team.” With the new courts and some new funds in the coffers, the future of tennis at Spanish River High school looks bright.
For Mindy Powers (left) and Tina Guerrero, victory is even sweeter when it’s for charity JUNE 2012
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Photo Op
by Colette Lewis
Breaunna Addison B
reaunna Addison, a 17-year-old Boca Raton resident, swept the singles and doubles titles at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Grade 4 tournament in Plantation last month. Seeded third in the singles draw, Addison didn’t lose a set on the Har-Tru courts of the Frank Veltri Tennis Center, defeating No. 4 seed Stefania Hristov of Romania 6-1, 6-2 in the championship match. In the doubles competition, Addison teamed with Rasheeda McAdoo, daughter of Miami Heat assistant coach and National Basketball Association Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, and the pair breezed through the draw. ITF junior doubles is played with no-ad scoring and a match tiebreaker in lieu of a third set, but Addison and McAdoo never came close to losing a set, dropping only 12 games in five matches. Seeded second, Addison and McAdoo defeated No. 4 seeds Apichaya Unglerdkriangkrai of Thailand and Maria Sharapova’s cousin Daria Sharapova of Belarus 6-2, 6-1 in the final. With the two titles, Addison, who trains at the L’Academie de Tennis in Boynton Beach, improved her ITF junior ranking to a career-high 153. She has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the University of Texas this fall.
JUNE 2012
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Quick Shots
The annual Clearwater USTA Tennis Block Party, consistently one of the largest USTA block parties in the U.S.
Florida Cup organizers and players Larry Turville and Joe Bouquin.
Killearn Country Club in Tallahassee, Fla., hosted a USTA PlayDay on May 12, 2012, where kids and their parents played 10 and Under Tennis.
USTA national Adaptive Tennis grants, such as the one received by the Tennis for Fun program in Tampa last year, are now available. Email curtisL@florida.usta.com for more information.
JUNE 2012
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