Juniors to compete in state tennis tournament

Twenty-two juniors from Naples will be competing in the USTA Florida Junior State Closed Championship at the Florida Tennis Center Daytona Beach and the Sanlando Tennis Center in Altamonte Springs from June 10-15.

Fifteen of the juniors will be playing at the Florida Tennis Center: Erik Corace, Naples (B18s), Joshua Danco, Naples (B14s), Jonathan Drew, Naples (B16s), Lauren Embree, Naples (G18s), Orlando Ferrer, Naples (B16s), Amy Grossklag, Bonita Springs (G14s), Dan Howe, Naples (B14s), George Johnson, Naples (B14s), Chelsea Preeg, Naples (G18s), Leslie Raymond, Naples (G14s), Lindsey Raymond, Naples (G14s), Peter Rispoli, Naples (B18s), Amy Simidian, Naples (G16s), Alexandra Smith, Naples (G18s), and Chloe Smith, Naples (G16s).

Seven juniors will be playing in the 10 and 12s at Sanlando: Brett Clark, Naples (B12s), Paul Johnson, Naples (B12s), Nikki Kallenberg, Naples (G10s), Alejandro Perez, Naples (B12s), William Shisler, Naples (B10s), Sophia Smith, Naples (G12s), and Gordon Watson, Naples (B12s).

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The USTA Naples has announced a new, innovative summer league for adult and senior age groups. Called the “BMW Combo” leagues, the program calls for a three-court format of doubles for men or women. There is no effect on ratings and the levels of play are the combined levels of 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5.

Both day and night teams may be formed. This is an opportunity to take the court with players one normally doesn’t have the chance to play with. For example, a 3.5 can play with a 3.0 in the 6.5 level.

Local play will start with a registration/captains meeting at International College on June 22 at 5:30 p.m. Play will begin the week of July 10 and go through August.

For more information, write Donna Koenig, BMW Combo Coordinator, at Donna@naples.net or Linda Kleitch at racquets99@aol.com.

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Thinking about going to the U.S. Open tennis showcase later this year in New York? Want to get a jump on tickets?

Tickets are available for purchase with any American Express Card through the Web at USOpen.org — or by calling TicketMaster at 866-OPEN-TIX from 9 a.m. through Saturday.

Tickets for the U.S. Open go on sale to the general public on Monday at 9 a.m. through USOpen.org, at all Ticketmaster locations, or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-866-OPEN-TIX, or the USTA National Tennis Center box office in Flushing, N.Y.

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A tradition of summertime tennis locally is women’s play that rotates among various clubs. The action started on Tuesday in both 3.0 and 3.5 NTRP divisions. Play will occur each Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and run through Aug. 1 in both divisions.

To compete in the round-robin format, players need only to sign up a week in advance at the host club. The fee each week is $3.

The remaining 3.0 schedule (with host club phone numbers) follows:

-- June 13 – Quail West, 593-4160.

-- June 20 – Longshore Lake, 566-2783.

-- June 27 – Sterling Oaks (9:30 start time), 566-1800.

-- July 11 – Quail Creek, 597-9725.

-- July 18 – Naples Bath & Tennis (10 a.m. start), 261-5524.

-- July 25 – The Players Club, 298-5775.

-- Aug. 1 – Cambier Park, 213-3060.

The 3.5 schedule (with host club phone numbers) follows:

-- June 6 – Sterling Oaks (9:30 start time), 566-1800.

-- June 13 – Naples Bath & Tennis (10:30 start time), 261-5524.

-- June 20 – Cambier Park, 213-3060.

-- June 27 – Quail West, 593-4160.

-- July 11 – Longshore Lake, 566-2783.

-- July 18 – Quail Creek, 597-9725.

-- July 25 – The Strand, 592-1928, Ext. 254.

-- Aug. 1 – Bonita Bay (9:30 start time), 495-3573.

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The next USPTA/JusTennis tournament will be a singles competition at the Vineyards and Veterans Community Parks on Saturday. The deadline for entry is today. Those interested in these events designed to ease newcomers into tournament competition may contact Spike Gonzales at 248-0894.

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A series of four “Junior Jamborees” will be held throughout the month of June at the Quail Creek Country Club. Juniors of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Action will be each Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and prizes.

Additional jamborees on June 14, June 21 and June 28. To find out more, phone the Quail Creek tennis shop at 597-9725.

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Local clubs are gearing up their staffs and plans for a busy summer of junior activity. A rundown of clubs listing activities follows:

-- The Club at Sterling Oaks — Through Aug. 18; open to the public; phone David Mix at 566-1800.

-- The Players Club and Spa at Lely Resort – a wide variety of camps, age ranges, and dates; phone Denny Rager at 298-5775.

-- The Preeg-Doherty Junior Tennis Academy – started Tuesday at the Dunes in North Naples; phone John Preeg or Lisa Preeg at 593-9736.

-- USA Tennis School Summer Camp – run by Bogdan Badiu and Pavel Slozil for tournament players ages 10-18; Through Aug. 4; Phone 285-3129.

-- Summer Camps for Kids — at The Academy at the Naples Bath & Tennis Club; started Monday; Phone the NBTC pro shop at 261-5777, Ext. 29.

-- Ultra Tennis Academy summer junior program — at The Club at Sterling Oaks through Aug. 4 for age 9 and older; Contact Nestor Nunez at 649-6698.

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Those wishing to have events or activities included in the weekly Thursday local tennis roundup should e-mail the information to Tom Rife at heart22@comcast.net by 6 p.m. on Tuesday.