Tennis: Spots still open for amateaurs in ASG Pro-Celebrity Challenge

Spots remain open for amateurs in the charity event that will take place at the Wyndemere Country Club on Nov. 21-22.

Locals have the opportunity to play with and against such names as Luke Jensen, Murphy Jensen, Johan Kriek and Jimmy Arias in the men's division and Brenda Shultz, Kathy Rinaldi, Patti O'Reilly and Raluca Onila in the women's division.

A total of 26 pros will be on the courts with their amateur team members. The list includes Kevin Long, Doug Small, Bogdan Badiu, Scott Harrington, Warren Eber, Fred Sauer, Vimal Patel, Ito Abgouzir, Carlos Perez and Todd Watkins.

Proceeds from the ASG Pro Celebrity Challenge will go to Collier County's Step By Step program.

There will be 20 teams in two men's divisions. The men's 3.5-4.0 division will consist of 10 teams of equal ability, each with a professional paired up with a 3.5-4.0 amateur player.

Event coordinator Louanne Fischer said Wednesday that there are currently two amateur spots available in this division.

The men's 4.5-5.0 division will consist of 10 teams of equal ability, each with a professional paired up with a 4.5-5.0 player. There are currently two amateur spots available in this division as well.

The women's division will consist of six teams of equal ability, each with a professional paired up with a 4.0-5.0 amateur player. Two amateur spots are still open.

Each division is then split into two draws. The match play on that Saturday will be a round-robin format in the morning with the top teams in each draw advancing to the semi-finals in their respective division.

The amateur entry fee is $1,500 and includes venue passes, two Friday evening Calcutta dinner tickets and two Saturday evening Gala tickets (both to be held at the LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort) and additional gifts. Those interested should phone 354-0121 for more information.

Any one who participates in this event, whether playing, watching or attending the evening festivities, will be supporting the tournament beneficiary, Step By Step, which specializes in helping children who are born with disabilities. The organization is the only early intervention agency in Collier County and has been faced with the potential crisis of closing its doors when the agency that owned it, Impact of Fort Myers shut down and filed bankruptcy in August.

There are many opportunities for participation in the weekend of events. Specifics are as follows:

-- The Wilson Celebrity Tennis Luncheon and Clinic, Friday, Nov. 21, noon, $50.

-- Free Kids Clinic presented by On the Rise Tennis & Brenda Schultz Summer Camp, also including Luke and Murphy Jensen, Friday, Nov. 21, 4 p.m., Pre-registration required at 514-8203.

-- The Calcutta Kick-off Party and Player auction, at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Friday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m.; $75 per person.

-- Tickets to the ASG Pro-Celebrity Challenge Venue at Wyndemere Country Club, Saturday, Nov. 22; $10 donation.

-- Having a Ball for Step by Step Cocktail Party, Silent Auction, Dinner, and Live Entertainment, attended by the Celebrity players, at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Saturday, Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. $125 per person.

To reserve tickets, phone 354-0121.

Here are the current sponsors: ASG Software Solutions, NatureRx.com, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Wyndemere Country Club, Renaissance Management, Karl and Alice Sheffield, Anchor Pediatrics-Dr. Dulce Dudley and Dr. Debra Shepard, Northern Trust Bank, Wilson Racquet Sports, Intech Printing & Direct Mail, Lykins Signtek, The Jerry L. & Barbara J. Burris Foundation, Dr. Ilyne Kobrin, Harrington's Professional Arts Pharmacy, Coastal Beverage, Gulfstream Homes fmjinc.com Web Design, Tennis Bar, The Dernbach Family, A. Vernon Allen Builders, Food Scene, n magazine, and Von Berg Cosmetics.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Fred Drilling's run in the World Senior Championships in Turkey came to a premature end.

Due to Monday's rainout and the large size of the men's 60s draw at the World Seniors Championship in Turkey, the format for the quarters and semis were cut back to10-point tiebreakers in lieu of a third set. The change proved to be Drilling's downfall.

Playing the top-seeded Peter Pokorny of Austria, Drilling, the Florida Gulf Coast University women's tennis coach, lost the first set 6-1, came back to win the second set 6-4, but lost the breaker 10-2.

The Naples Bath & Tennis Club again will host the National Senior Women's Intersectional Team Championships. Play is scheduled for Nov. 16-23 with more than 325 women representing 14 USTA sections to compete in categories ranging from the 35s through the 75s.

The NBTC has hosted the event five times in the past nine years.

The 23rd annual Naples-Fort Myers Challenge will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15 at The Club at Sterling Oaks. Tennis enthusiasts are encouraged to come and watch all of the local tennis professionals and top juniors as the Naples team competes in this annual tennis tradition against the best from Lee County.

Match play will begin at 8 a.m. with the juniors battling for the First Junior Challenge Cup. Historically, the juniors have taken part in the Challenge Cup as parts of a whole team that consisted of both junior and adults.

"We decided to split the Challenge Cup into two Cups because for many years, the juniors would take such a strong lead before the adult matches even began. This will make the team competition more exciting in both the juniors and the adults," said Collier team captain Louanne Fischer.

The afternoon will feature men's, women's and mixed doubles matches in Open divisions up through 65-plus.

Sterling Oaks' own Bill Beverly is the 2003 Grand Marshall of the Challenge.

Local sponsors of the 23rd Annual Naples-Ft. Myers Challenge are ASG Software Solutions, Amerivest Realty, Anheuser-Bush, Bonita Auto Supply, DeVoe Automotive Group, Fashion Fresh, First National Bank of Naples, Harrington's Pharmacy, Pro-Am Sporting Goods, Quality Craft, the Club at Sterling Oaks, Tennis Bar, US Trust, and Wilson Racquet Sports.

Lineups for both teams will be finalized on Nov. 13.

USA Tennis Florida/USTA is creating a Super Seventies League. Players must be 70 or older at the end of the 2004 calendar year.

The format will be two doubles courts or a minimum of four players per team. A Sectional Championship for this new league will be held in Daytona Beach.

For more information, call Linda Kleitch, head local leagues coordinator of District 18 at 514-2997.

A rundown of activities and events are as follows:

-- Men's 4.0 weekly round-robin -- at Quail Creek Country Club; Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m.; Cost: $3; Players from other clubs also welcome; Must sign up a week in advance by phoning 597-9725.

-- YMCA Junior Program -- at Greater Naples YMCA; Classes Monday through Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m. under the direction of Warren Eber; Beginners to advanced; Cost: $12 for one-hour classes and $20 for two-hour classes; Phone 597-8431.

-- Round-robin doubles -- at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club tennis courts each Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. until Wednesday, Oct. 22; Beginning Sunday, Nov. 2, the club will host a couples round- robin from 3 to 5 p.m. Phone 435-4351.

-- The Plantation Club at The Dunes -- Preeg-Doherty Junior Tennis Academy: Monday through Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.; Ladies Day: Tuesdays, 9 to 11 a.m.; Men's Day: Thursdays, 9 to 11 a.m.; Ladies 3.0 Clinic: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.; Ladies 3.5 Clinic: Fridays, 9 a.m.; Phone 593-9680.

-- Pelican Bay Community Park events -- Most levels of round-robins for men and women available each week; Adult and junior clinics held daily; For specific days-times, phone 598-3025.

-- Quail Creek Junior Tennis --Tuesdays and Thursdays: Tiny Tots from 3:30-4 at $6; Beginners from 4 to 4:45 at $9; Intermediate and Advanced from 4:30 to 5:30 at $12; Clinic and Ralleyball to be included; All directed by Doug Welsh; Phone 597-9725.

-- Quail West Tennis programs --Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Events include 3.0-3.5 ladies round- robin from 9 to 11 and 3.5-4.0 men's round robin from 9 to 11; 3.5-4.0 ladies doubles clinics on Wednesdays from 9 to 11; Also: Wednesday clinics for men and women from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Also: "3 students and the Pro" on Mondays; Phone 592-1139.

-- Weekly mixed doubles round-robin -- Fridays at Pelican Bay Community Park; Phone 598-3025.

-- Men's, women's and mixed round-robins -- Each day of the week at Pelican Bay Community Park; Phone 598-3025.

-- Adult clinics -- for all levels at Pelican Bay Community Park; Phone 598-3025.

-- Men's round-robin match play -- at Imperial Racquet Club; for days and times, phone Dick Morrissey at 566-3442.

-- Colliertennis.com -- the official Web site of the Community Tennis Association of Collier County.

-- matchpoint.homestead.com -- Web site providing relevant and unique local information updated on a timely basis.

-- Collier Tennis Connection -- Phone Connie Kormanyos at 394-8061 or 394-3144, Ext. 224.

-- Tennis instruction, lessons -- For schedule at Miromar Beach Club, phone pro Rick Kobleur at 992-0024.

-- Private lessons and group clinics for all levels -- Scheduled regularly at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club tennis center, which is open to the public; For more information, phone Chris Eddy at 435-4351.

-- Individual, group and team instruction -- at Vanderbilt Country Club; For clinic times and fees, phone 348-2662 Ext. 216.

-- Pelican Isle Yacht Club -- Daily activities ranging from exercise classes and round-robins from doubles strategy sessions to stroke-of-the- week clinics; For full schedule, phone Ed Jacques, 598-1802.

-- Marco Island Racquet Club -- Round- robins, league play, USTA competitive teams, Stroke of the Week clinics, beginners lessons, junior programs and racquetball challenges; For the complete schedule, phone 394-5454.

-- Men's and women's round- robins -- at Imperial Tennis Club; men on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. for 3.0-3.5 players and at 10:30 a.m. for 4.0 -4.5 players; women on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. for 3.0 players; Phone 566-3442.

-- Ladies Day Round Robin, Men's Day Round Robin, Saturday Mixed Round Robin -- at Cambier Park Tennis Center, Phone 213-3060; Tuesdays at 11 a.m. women of all levels welcome to participate; Thursdays at 11 a.m. men of all levels welcome to participate; Saturday mornings are "Mixed Troubles" round robin at 9:30.

-- Round-robins, clinics and other ongoing programs -- at The Club at Sterling Oaks; Phone Bill Beverly at 566-1800.

-- Bridgewater Bay Tennis Club -- Weekly activities include: Tuesdays beginner/intermediate clinic 5 p.m., Thursday mixed round robin 6 p.m.; Saturdays intermediate clinic 9:30 a.m.; Phone 450-1000.

-- Saturday Mixed Doubles Round Robin -- at Cambier Park Tennis Center at 10:45 a.m.; Phone 213-3060.

-- NBTC Adult Tennis Academy -- at the Naples Bath & Tennis Club; 4-day Super Session and 3-day Training Program available; Phone 261-5777 Ext. 29.

-- NBTC Junior Programs -- Tournament Player Program and After School Program; Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; After School Program $49 per week; Tournament Player Program $89 per week; Call 261-5777, Ext. 29.

-- Tony Kamen Youth Tennis Clinics -- For beginners/intermediate/high school players; Mondays and Wednesdays 4-5:30 p.m. at Naples High School courts. $15 per session or $96 per month; Phone 272-9223; Also, Beginner to Intermediate players ages 6-12 on Tuesdays 3:30-5 p.m. at Naples High courts; New Cartoon Network Tennis Club; contact Fleischmann Park at 213-3013.

-- Cambier Park Tennis Center-Junior After School Programs -- A full range of instruction now available; phone 213-3060.

-- Junior Morning Tennis Fitness Program -- for ages 5-11; Class to start at 7:15 a.m.; at Sea Gate Park; Phone the Cambier Park tennis shop at 213-3060; Session 1: Now through Nov. 21; Cost: $40 for session and $15 for week.

-- Tennis Under the Lights -- at Cambier Park for ages 5-13; Friday, Nov. 14 and Friday, Dec. 12 from 6:30 - 10 p.m.; Tennis drills and games, pizza and soda and a Movie; Cost: $37 per child per evening; Phone: 213-3060.

USA Tennis Florida/USTA 2004 Senior Fall League

Team Standings as of Oct. 31

-- Men's 3.0 -- Pelican Sound:2/5; Marco Island Racquet Center: 1/4; Worthington Volunteers: 1/3; Imperial Racquet Club: 1/3; Naples Beach Hotel: 1/3.

-- Women's 3.0 Flight X -- Longshore Lake:3/7; Worthington CC: 2/5; Pelican Landing-Morgan: 2/5; Pelican Marsh: 1/4; Pelican Bay North: 1/3; Marco Island YMCA:0/3

-- Women's 3.0 Flight Y -- Naples Beach Hotel: 3/7; Marco Island Racquet Center:1/2; Pelican Bay Park: 1/3; Stonebridge CC 0/2; Pelican Landing-Newson: 0/1

-- Men's 3.5 Flight X -- Pelican Landing: 3/9; Sterling Oaks' Hawks: 2/6; Marco Island Racquet Center-Matthews: 2/5; Audubon CC: 1/4; Marco Island YMCA: 1/2; Worthington CC: 0/1

-- Men's 3.5 Flight Y -- Marco Island Racquet Center-Zahray: 2/6; Pelican Marsh: 2/4; Pelican Bay South: 2/6; Bonita Bay: 0/0; Vineyards CC: 0/2.

-- Women's 3.5 Flight X -- Pelican Marsh-Hills: 2/5; Quail Creek: 2/4; Pelican Bay Park: 2/6; Village Walk: 1/2; Naples Bath & Tennis Club: 1/5; Cambier Park: 1/4; Marco Island Racquet Center-Rosen: 0/1.

-- Women's 3.5 Flight Y -- Naples YMCA: 3/8; Marco Island Racquet Center-Smith: 2/5; Pelican Marsh-Horan:1/4; Registry Resort: 1/4; Longshore Lake: 1/3; Pelican Landing: 1/2; Vineyards CC: 0/1.

-- Women's 4.0 -- Naples YMCA: 3/8; Pelican Marsh: 3/6; Sterling Oaks: 2/4; Collier's Reserve: 1/3; Bonita Bay: 0/1; Pelican Landing: 0/3; Naples Bath & Tennis Club: 0/2.

USTA Super Senior Leagues

-- 3.0 Men -- Marco YMCA 3/7; Worthington Firemen 2/7 ;Naples Beach Hotel 2/5 ; Quail Creek 1/4 ;Imperial Tennis Club 1/4; Bonita Bay 0/0; Worthington Warriers 0/0.

-- 3.0 Women -- Naples Beach Hotel 2/6; Worthington Whistles 2/6 ;Cross Creek 2/6 ; Worthington Belles 0/0.

-- 3.5 Men -- The Pelican Sound Eagles 2/6; Bonita Bay 2/5; Marco Racquet Center 1/4; Worthington Marshall 1/3; Pelican Bay South 0/0.

-- 3.5 Women -- Terminators 2/7; Quail Creek 2/6; Cambier Chichester 2/5; Marco YMCA 1/4; Marco Racquet Center 1/3; Cambier Szabo 1/2.

-- 4.0 Women -- Pelican Marsh 3/8; Island Walk 2/5; Moorings Park 1/3; NBTC 0/2.