Big Tennis Weekend on Tap!

Gulf Harbour Memorial Foundation Event
Ok my beloved tennis friends, we do an awful lot of good things around here, but the best thing that we do is coming up fast on the fuzzy yellow horizon! The Gulf Harbour Memorial Foundation’s tennis event, dubbed the “2011 Tennis Charity Challenge” (don’t ask me by whom), is this coming Sunday February 20th beginning at 9:00 A.M. Don’t hesitate to come if you don’t wake up early, because we’ll be having fun all day (until 3:00 P.M. or so).

Participants can take part in a variety of fun activities, including round robin play, target tennis, fast serve contests, raffles, and can also partake of the delicious baked goods that will be on hand for the bake sale. Whether we break the fundraising record that we set for the tennis community last year or not, it will be a very good time and whatever we raise will go to good causes. This year the Foundation is focusing on five grant requests: Brightest Horizons, Lee County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, Lee County Red Cross, Paws for Independence, and Paws for Patriots.

Ritzman/USPTA Pro League
Your pros are back at it again folks. The Shadow Wood Pro League match-up taking place this Friday the 18th at 5:30 P.M. will feature Joel and his partner against my partner and me. Joel has gotten me twice this season and I am loathe to make it thrice!

Speaking of threes, that is precisely how many points our team, captained by our peerless leader, Mike Curran, is ahead of Joel’s team, so this is a BIG match! I hope to see you out there supporting us if at all possible…yeah, yeah, I know Shadow Wood is a bit of a hike, but it’ll be worth it. And, hey, I’ll even forgive anyone who cheers for the youngster (wink).

Club Championships Mixed Doubles
Watching good competition is fun, but playing good competition is even better; isn’t it? Well in two shakes of a cat’s tail (I now have two tail-shaking cats sharing my abode-yikes!) our Club Championships Mixed Doubles event will be here. Registration opens this Friday, the 18th online and on the bulletin board adjacent to Court 1.

The event itself takes place Friday March 11th through Sunday the 13th. As we did for the doubles event, we will do our best to accommodate those with schedule conflicts, but can make no promises. Of course we would love to have as many participants as possible, but if you aren’t available for all three days, you may consider not registering. Full details can be viewed here. Oh, if you don't have a partner and would like to play, send me an email. We'll do our best to get you paired.

Teams
And now, on to one of my favorite topics: How Gulf Harbour’s teams are doing in their local leagues. Let me start with a major event that will be eclipsed only by the Charity Challenge, and…well…maybe the Mixed Doubles Tourney…just maybe. I am speaking of “Masiello versus Cupaiuolo II” right here on our courts, next Tuesday the 22nd.

Tony Cupaiuolo’s Blue-A Team edged Jim Masiello’s Blue-A team the last time the two teams met, moving ahead of Jim’s team in the standings. After today’s matches, in which Jim’s team pulled out a couple of tiebreaks to win three of four matches; and Tony’s team dropped 3 of 4, Jim’s team is now in 3rd place, 1 point ahead of Tony’s squad. It ought to be a donnybrook next Tuesday. I have to remember not to book any lessons during that time slot!

I suspect that John Hess, Captain of our White-B team; Rich Fox and Tim Baldwin, Captains of our Red-C team, are both wondering how third and fourth-place teams got top billing in this edition. Location, location, location. That match is a happening in Gulf Harbour tennis and is at our courts!

But in all fairness, Hess’ men have held the first-place position for several weeks, and are holding on tenaciously to a 7-point division lead. With only three matches remaining on the schedule against teams they have either beaten (2) or tied (1), It looks like they may have put a lock on this Championship.

Fox and Baldwin’s lads have been leading their division for some time as well, and currently are holding a five-point lead. Like the White-B team, a solid performance down the stretch against teams they have either beaten or tied, should clinch the title for them as well. They play at home today (Thursday the 17th at 2:00 P.M.), so come out and cheer on your soon-to-be-champs. Sure hope I didn’t put the kiss of death on you guys!

We have some stellar performers on the ladies side of things as well. Thus far, the standard bearers for our ladies teams have been the 3.5-Minus Sure Shots. In first or second since early in the season, the Sure Shots regained the division lead by seven points after winning three of four courts yesterday.

The Sure Shots have six matches left this season, with four of those at home, the biggest of which will be against their Gulf Harbour sisters on the Power Shots (currently in 7th after winning three of four courts at home yesterday) on Wednesday, March 2nd. This is another match you won’t want to miss!

Our 3.0 sister teams, Double Trouble and Raquettes are turning in strong performances this season as well. The Double Trouble ladies were the League Runners-Up last season, and are currently in third, but the Raquettes are hot on their trail in fourth. Double Trouble plays its next five matches at home, playing the top two teams on March 7th and 21st. Those two matches will be huge in determining where Double Trouble finishes in the standings, so if you can make it out, I know they would appreciate it.

The Raquettes don’t play at home again until March 14th, but have been coming on strong lately, winning eight of twelve courts in their past three matches. With a few more good performances coming down the homestretch, the Raquettes could leapfrog Double Trouble, which has struggled of late, winning four of twelve courts in its last three matches.

Our 3.0-Minus team, which finished atop the standings last season, is struggling to remain among the leaders this year. They sit fourth, and chances of a repeat division title are slim, given that the division leaders have swept all courts in eight of their twelve matches, and boast an individual court record of 42-6! Can anyone say, “Ringers,” “Sandbaggers?” Ok, maybe that’s just sour grapes on my part.

In any event, although the top position seems out of reach, a second-place finish is well within our 3.0-Minus Dream Team’s grasp. The ladies have played well as of late, taking three of four courts in the last three matches. They play at home today (Thursday the 17th at 11:00 A.M.) against the Landings Lucky Ladies, but unfortunately I didn’t get this out in time to remind you. Chances are they will be one step closer to that second-place finish at the end of the day.

Well, I’d love to continue talking about the great performances of our teams, but I have to get this posted and go cheer our ladies on before my Chiro visit. Keep tuning in for the latest happenings, and we’ll do our best to keep you informed. Ah, before I go, please express your condolences to Norma Schuyler on the recent passing of her dad. Until next, game, set, match Gulf Harbour Tennis….

Super Championship Doubles on Super Sunday

The weather threatened. Our players remained undaunted, and the crowd drizzled in much like the early morning mist did on Doubles Championship Sunday at Gulf Harbour. The Men’s and Women’s Court Crashers took to the court first, with Don Pitts seeking yet another upset with partner Tim Carr, and Sally Mellendorf trying to repeat as Champion, with new partner Meg Jacobs.

Preston Clark and Ron Jones were favored to claim their second Club Championship and they didn’t disappoint. Although Don and Tim got off to a quick start, Preston and Ron came back to win the first set, 6-3. There was no quit in Don and Tim, however, and they took the second set 6-4. The crowd was anticipating another of the incredibly close three-setters we’ve experienced over the past few days, but Preston and Ron ran the table for a 6-0 third set.

Lori Frantz and Nancy Davis were in the hot seat in the ladies Court Crashers final, because they both play on higher level teams than Sally and Meg. The match was so even that teams and ratings were of little consequence.

Back and forth they went through the first set, and when sally and Meg broke serve to go up 5-4, it appeared that Meg would get her first Club Championship. But Lori and Nancy broke right back and held serve, losing only two points in two games, and went up 6-5. Sally and Meg held easily to get to the tiebreak, which was nip and tuck all the way until Lori and Nancy took the 7-5 breaker.

The second set was the same sort of back and forth affair, with Meg and Sally down a break early, before rallying to tie the set at 4-4. They were broken again, and Lori and Nancy served for the match at 5-4, but Sally and Meg stiffened yet again, to even the set at 5-5. Meg and Sally failed to hold once again, and after a tough deuce game, Lori and Nancy closed out the very entertaining match 7-5.

In the Men’s Court Crashers final, the speed and athleticism of Don Pitts & Tim Carr (who only plays tennis about twice per year at tournament time) were pitted against the experience and unorthodox shot-making of Ron Jones and Preston Clark. Just as a puncher always has a chance in a boxing match when faced with a superior boxer, speed and athleticism always has a chance in a tennis match.

When Don and Tim went up 2-0 in the first set, and had multiple break points in the third game, it appeared as though they had a pretty good chance. However, that experience came to the fore soon thereafter and Ron and Preston held serve in that third game and lost only one more game in the set, taking it 6-3.

The second set was nip and tuck until Don and Tim broke serve in the sixth game to go up 4-2, but neither team would hold serve again in the set, and Don and Tim evened the match, closing out the second set 6-4 by virtue of the fifth consecutive break between the two teams.

Ron and Preston were challenged on their serve in the fourth game of the third set, but they held, and that was the only challenge Don and Tim could mount for the remainder of the match. Ron and Preston eased their way through a 6-0 third set to earn their Club Championship.

Both the Men’s and Women’s Ball Bashers draws featured No. 1 seeds attempting to close the deal, and in both draws the top seeds had been tested before reaching the final. Monica Robb & Pam Lemon, who played in the All Aces Division last year, had to be considered ladies favorites coming into the event, and John was defending Ball Basher Champion, with a terrific partner, so he had to be the odds on favorite in the men’s.

Monica & Pam faced Bonnie Graham, a recent victor over cancer, and Bev Auda, a relatively new addition to the tennis family. Bonnie and Bev had edged the No.2 seeds in straight, but very tight sets the day before, and had proven their toughness in a three-set victory over the dangerous team of Jan Carlson and Gina LaManna. Monica and Pam had also proven their metal in overcoming the No.3-seeded Angela Mitrisin and Bev Adams in three sets in their semifinal match.

The stage was set for another of the nail-biters we’ve witnessed all tournament long. Bonnie and Bev started the match in fine fashion with a break of serve, then a hold, and held the break advantage until they served at 3-2. Monica and Pam broke serve, then held to pull ahead 4-3. But Bonnie and Bev would not be denied and ran off three consecutive games, fending off a break point in the last game of the set to claim it 6-4.

In the second set it was Monica and Pam who got the first break to go up 3-1, but couldn’t hold the advantage once again, and Bonnie and Bev tied the set at 3-3. They broke again to go up 5-4 and served out a love game to claim their first Club Championship. The victory was pretty impressive considering they had beaten a talented and seasoned team.

Unfortunately, there was very little drama in the Men’s final, as Bruno and John overwhelmed Peter and Rich in straight sets (6-2, 6-2), breaking them in all but one service game. Despite solid play from Peter and Rich, the combination of stellar net play from Bruno and superb back court mobility from John was too much for them to overcome.

Although 10 of the 16 games played reached 40-30, only two games reached deuce. Apparently the two three-set matches Bruno and John had played in previous rounds resulted in their becoming a fine-tuned machine. John is now two-time Ball Bashers Champion, after losing in the first round two years ago. Yes, he’s come a long way baby!

What the Men’s All Aces lacked in drama, they made up for in quality of play. Seeking his fifth consecutive Club Championship title, Chip Graddy teamed with his reigning Co-Champion partner and Singles Finalist, Geoff Negin against Alan Canfield and Arnie Wohl.

Coming off what some might consider an upset victory over Gary Delanois and Bob Ostrom in the semis, Arnie and Alan had nothing to lose, and they played like it. Early in the match, however, points were hard to come by for Alan and Arnie. They won just three points in the first three games. But despite Chip’s high-kicking serve, his daunting presence of Chip at net, and Geoff showing improved doubles acumen, Arnie and Alan hung in there and clawed back to 2-3. Unfortunately they would win just two more points the rest of the set, as Chip and Geoff closed it out 6-2.

The second set was a much closer affair, despite the 6-3 score. Chip and Geoff struggled through multiple deuces to hold in the first game of the set, and Alan and Arnie did the same, but both held. Alan’s athleticism and Arnie’s deadly lobs appeared to give them a fighting chance, and after a couple tough deuce games, they broke serve and took a 3-2 lead. Chip and Geoff broke back, and Alan and Arnie battled valiantly in the seventh game, holding multiple break points, but couldn’t solve the riddle of the Graddy serve.

It appeared that the steam had gone out of Alan and Arnie’s game, and they were broken at love to go down 3-5. But with Geoff serving for the match, Alan and Arnie stiffened and fought off two match points. Not stiff enough unfortunately, for they could get the break. Geoff had picked up his fourth Club Championship in three years in the top-level draw. Chip had claimed his fifth in two, and will be seeking to make it six straight when he teams with Jemin Martinsen (his Co-Champion of last season) in the Mixed Doubles Championship next month.

The final Match of the day, with a standing room only crowd in attendance, was nothing short of scintillating. Reigning All Aces Doubles Champion (with Jemin last season) Kathy Lanzalotta paired with Janet Craycraft, recently off foot injury, to seek the repeat. The two would face last season’s Finalists, Carole Shapiro and Janie Heck, who lost in two tough sets last year, 6-4, 7-6.

The match was dead even until Kathy and Janet broke serve in the seventh game and held to go up 5-3. Carole and Janie held at love to get to 4-5, broke back after saving set point to even it at 5-5, then held to go up 6-5, and were two points from the set at 15-30 on Kathy and Janet’s serve. But Kathy and Janet seemed to play best when the match was tightest. They held serve and ran away with the tiebreak, 7-2.

Janet and Kathy held serve in a tough, multiple-deuce game to open the second set, and I wondered if Janie and Carole might fold after losing the tough first set and tough first game of the second. Wrong! They held serve despite facing a break point in that second game, and nip and tuck it was again.

Kathy and Janet broke for a 4-2 lead, but showing incredible moxie, they saved game point in the following game and broke back. Janet and Kathy returned the favor to get within one game of the Championship at 5-3, but Carole and Janie refused to go away. They broke back, then held for 5-5. Both teams held to reach the tiebreak, but again, Kathy and Janet seemed to play best in the latter stages, and took the second tiebreak 7-2.

The quality of play and competitiveness displayed in the final match was a fitting climax to the best Club Championships we have seen over the past three years. We began and ended the first session of the event with the sensational Ball Bashers match played by Eddie Dance and Jake Keltner against Tom Auda and Charlie Beagan, and ended it with a thrilling Women’s All Aces Final. And, between those tremendous bookends, we had numerous other thrillers in all three divisions.

It doesn’t get much better than Gulf Harbour tennis folks, and everyone who participated and came out to watch the event ought to feel really good about being a part of such a thriving tennis community. Thanks to Linda VanWyk and George Kane for their fine work on the Seeding Committee, to Food and Beverage for bringing out refreshments, to Fernando for keeping the courts beautifully playable, and to all of you for a great weekend…even if it was spent working. We came close to the 100 participant mark, but didn’t quite make it. Mixed Doubles is next. Can we reach the century mark? Only time will tell. Until next, game, set, match, Gulf Harbour…

Club Championship Doubles Finals Set

Things were hotly contested as usual on Day 2 of the Club Championships Doubles tourney. The Women’s Ball Bashers produced two three-setters and two tiebreaks in six matches, and the favorites were more than tested.

After cruising in their opening match, top-seeded Monica Robb and Pam Lemon, faced a scare from Angela Mitrisin and Beverly Adams. After claiming the first set 6-3, Monica and Pam dropped the second by the same score. Although games were competitive in the third set, Angela and Bev could not close any of them, losing 0-6.

Monica and Pam will face Bonnie Graham and Bev Auda, who upset the second-seeded pair of Connie Hess and Lili Canfield in two nail-biting sets. Bonnie and Bev won the first set 7-5, and went up 5-1, before Connie and Lili fought their way back to reach a tiebreak. Connie and Lili then clawed their way back from a 6-3 deficit in the tiebreak, but succumbed to the determine Bonnie and Bev 9-7. Tomorrow’s final ought to be another massive struggle to the end.

Maintaining the intensity of competition, the Women’s All Aces semis gave us one three-setter and one tiebreak in the two matches. Representing one half of last season's championship team, Kathy Lanzalotta, teamed with Janet Craycraft, who is recently off injury, in her repeat effort. Kathy and janet dropped the first set 2-6, to Judy Schafft and Kathy Karofsky, but rallied to win 6-1, 6-3 in the final sets. The scores of the final two sets are deceptive, because the quality of play was exceptionally high right down to the final points.

The other half of the final will feature last year’s Finalists, Carole Shapiro and Janie Heck, battled Jemin Martinsen, a Triple Crown winner last season, and Judy Wilson, a Double Crown winner in the Ball Bashers Division last year. Carole and Janie got out to a nice lead in both sets, but Jemin and Judy fought back both times, saving several match points in the second set. Carole and Janie eventually emerged with a very tough 6-4, 7-6 victory. They are hoping their second time around as a team will be the charm.

The women’s Court Crashers also produced at least one humdinger of a match, when reigning Doubles Champion, Sally Mellendorf, who is teamed with Meg Jacobs this time, faced Current Singles Champion Jayme Lewis and Linda Gardiner. In a symmetrical war, Sally and Meg eked out the victory (4-6, 6-4, 6-4), and will face the team of Lori Frantz and Nancy Davis. Lori and Nancy started a little slowly in their match against Linda Riedl and Kathy Masiello, but they finished strong, winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

The division that produced the most fireworks today was the Men’s Ball Bashers, as both semifinal winners had to go three sets to make it to the final. In one of the longest matches of the day (well over 2 hours), the “Double Doc” team of Dr. Rich Fox and Dr. Peter Karofsky, appeared to be on their way to an early termination, after dropping the first set 2-6 to Tim Jones and Bill Wright. But the docs had the “Wright” prescription, toughing out a second set tiebreak, and closing the third set at 6-4. Nice recovery Docs!

The second semifinal match features the team that is maximizing their time on the court. The Division’s top seeds, Bruno Glavich and John Hess, have played six sets in two matches, with five of the six sets going 6-4, and one finishing 7-5.

In their quarterfinal match on Friday, after receiving a bye, Bruno and John went 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 against Manny Lima and Peter Jensen. Today, they faced another team that got their money’s worth (six sets in two matches), Rich Meyers and Tim Baldwin, and won 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. If the final goes three sets, I don’t think anyone will be surprised.

The Men’s All Aces final will feature the only individual left in the Club Championships with the opportunity to win the Triple Crown, and if accomplished, it would his second consecutive sweep. Chip Graddy, who took all three events last season in the highest event division, is teamed with Geoff Negin (his championship teammate of a year ago) in attempts to repeat as All Aces Doubles Champion.

With a first round bye and a relatively trouble-free 6-2, 6-1 victory over a less-than-hundred-percent David Weber and Maxwell Thompson, a first-year competitor in this division, the two seem poised to repeat. However, Alan Canfield and Arnie Wohl, will do their best to derail such repeat hopes.
Alan and Arnie faced perennial Club Champion in multiple events, Gary Delanois, and Tennis Committee Chairman, Bob Ostrom in their semifinal match. Although Bob wasn’t 100%, he and Gary gave Alan and Arnie all they could ask for, falling 5-7, 4-6. It will be interesting to see what strategies Alan and Arnie will employ in attempts to derail the Graddy train that has been chugging merrily along since joining the club last season.

Perhaps Alan and Arnie should ask Don Pitts for some tips, because Don has become the upset specialist of the Club Championship season. After some surprising results in his singles foray, Don teamed with occasional player, Tim Carr, to topple the favored Ron Graham and Jim Masiello in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2 in the Court Craashers semifinal.

Don and Tim have another tough test in front of them as they will battle Ron Jones and Preston Clark. Ron and Preston dismantled the team of Tony Cupaiuolo and Ted Poppinga, 6-0 in the first set, but Tony and Ted scrapped their way to a close 4-6 loss in the second set.

There is no doubt that Ron and Preston have the tennis experience advantage over Don and Tim, but the speed advantage belongs to the latter duo. You know what they say about speed, right? Come out and see if what “they” say is correct, as the two teams collide in the morning.