Spell It, Venus

TENNIS E-NEWS

Thursday, April 16, 2009 Vol. VIII, No. 38
2006 Winner of South Carolina Media Award
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Tough Day on Seeds

L-i-s-i-c-k-i --- Join Venus Williams in Learning How To Spell That Name

DANIEL ISLAND, CHARLESTON SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – If you can pull off two winning dropshots in consecutive games against Venus Williams, you know you are doing something right. Nineteen-year-old German Sebina Lisicki did just that and ran away with a 6-4, 7-6 win in the Round of 16 today at Family Circle Cup.

The 16^th seed took the game to Williams, especially in the second set where the #2 seed went up an early break. Lisicki simply kept Williams running from side to side at a nothing-hits-inside-the-service-line-but-serves barrage…except for those couple dropshots. Williams was scrambling on most every point and Lisicki kept driving to one corner or another than whipping a crosscourt forehand that was unreachable. Repeating: Unreachable by Venus Williams.

Serving for the set at 5-4, Williams went up 30-0, but that was it. Diary of a tiebreak:

Lisicki hits a screaming ace own the middle. 1-0.

Williams serves; Lisicki smacks a down-the-line winner. 2-0.

Williams serves; after a sharp rally, she slaps a crosscourt winner. 2-1

Lisicki serves; rallies, then hits a crosscourt forehand that Williams can’t reach to return. 3-1.

Lisicki serves; connects with forehand winner. 4-1.

Williams serves wide; return sails long. 4-2.

Williams serves into Lisick’s body; self-defense blocked return goes nowhere. 4-3.

Lisicki serves; Williams forehand bounces to the net. 5-3.

Lisicki serves wide off sideline, unreturnable. 6-3.

Williams faults; second serve weakly gets to the net. 6-4.

Williams faults; Lisicki smacks return crosscourt … wide. 6-5.

Lisicki serves; Williams returns serve long. Game, Set, Match to L-i-s-i-c-k-i.

The TENNIS E-News staff played a senior men’s 3.5 doubles match Wednesday, then traveled today to watch balls being punished by women from another lifezone. There was an occasional reminder of play in the real world. Like Varvaro Lepchenko (USA) remembering that when things aren’t going so hot, perhaps a strategy change would work. Down 1-6, 0-1, love-30 to #1 seed Elena Dementieva, Lepchenko must have remembered a coaching tip and walked to the sideline for another racket. She lost that game, but went up love-40 on the next before Dementieva reeled off nine straight points. Hm. Guess the racket wasn’t the problem.

With #6 Marion Bartoli the only other seed left in the bottom of the draw, your TV eye likely will be on ESPN with Dementieva facing Dominika Cibulkova. Of all the swinging in today’s matches, no one looked as relaxed and smooth as the top seed.

Side Note: Amid all the reserved seat patron box (Hilton Head Aces, among them) was this one: “Hebrews 11:1”. You go look it up; that’s not in the media kit. Everything else you might want to know is on www.familycirclecup.com.

Adults on Clay; Juniors on Hard

Everyone Has a Category in the Bluffton Today Open Tournament May 15-17

BLUFFTON SC (TENNIS E-News) – If you can’t find a category for yourself in the 4^th annual Bluffton Today Open Tennis Tournament, let Bob Brown or Brett Robertson know and they’ll probably come up with one for next year’s tournament. For this year, you will have to settle for adult “male, female and mixed” doubles on four rating levels and junior singles and doubles in three age division PLUS a special adult/child doubles funfest.

The tournament runs May 15-17 with juniors playing on hard courts at Bluffton High School and adults venturing to the clays of Palmetto Bluff, Oldfield, Shell Hall and Hampton Hall – all for the benefit of Bluffton junior tennis programs and to build and repair public courts in the area.

Entry fees are $40 per player for one adult event and $50 if playing in two. Junior singles is $25. If playing junior singles and doubles, it’s $35 per player. Juniors will be in two divisions – advanced in one and beginners and advanced beginners in the other. The Saturday afternoon child/adult doubles (all entry fees going to the Junior Benevolent Fund) will involve a $10 per player entry fee and will be in flights by ability level.

Entry forms are available throughout the area. Additional information is at www.blufftontennis.com or you may call Brett Robertson at 290-2833.

DEADLINES COMING UP:

May 1-3 – 3^rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge – Apr. 26 deadline

May 15-17 – 4^th annual Bluffton Today Tennis Tournament – May 11 deadline.

Pros at Van Der Meer

Mark Your Calendar for a Week of Free Lessons May 18-21 … Guinea Pig Time!!!

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) – “Guinea pig” time is coming up at Van Der Meer Tennis Center, when all ability levels of Islanders and visitors are invited in for daily free tennis lessons taught by pros from around the world. TennisUniversity pros are here to learn the Van Der Meer method of teaching strokes.

May 18 through 21 the pros will need guinea pigs from 5 to 6 p.m. Beginners are welcomed, as well as more experienced players interested in free instruction. Participants can come any or all of those days. For additional information, contact Brandon Arent at brandon@vdmtennis.com.

USTA LEAGUE STANDINGS – TennisLink as of 4/16/09

CCTA Super Senior Mixed Doubles Gets First Season Under Way

BLUFFTON SC (TENNIS E-News) – Super Senior Mixed Doubles has come to life, with the Coastal Carolina Tennis Association’s season serving it up (if this was the Island Packet, it would read: “…kicking off…”) in three divisions. The 6.0 and 8.0 have first matches under the belts; 7.0 will start May 16.

Hilton Head Island SSMxD is to begin after the USTA League Spring season ends … and that’s soon.

Hilton Head Island Adult Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/16/09

AW2.5 4/46 2/14 - 5/2 Spanish Wells Love Means Nothing, SCYacht Ms. Fits tied at 6-1

AM3.0 4/53 2/14 – 5/2 Wexford Blaze of Glory, Chaplin Park Rattlers tied at 5-2

AW3.0 5/74 1/29 – 4/25 Wexford Player Slayers, Chaplin Shady’s Rath tied in first at 7-1

AM3.5 6/83 1/31 – 5/2 Wexford Warriors in lead at 7-0

AW3.5 14/208 1/29 – 5/16 Indigo Run Indigo Slice, Long Cove Covettes tied at 9-0

AM4.0 5/62 2/15 – 4/26 PDTC Smash in first at 6-1

AW4.0 4/61 1/31 – 4/25 Sea Pine’s Smashers in lead at 7-1

AM4.5 2/25 2/22 – 3/29 South Beach BT Express clinched championship at 4-1

AW4.5 2/29 2/22 – 3/29 PDTC clinched championship at 5-0

Total 46/641

Coastal Carolina Adult Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/16/09

AW3.0 3/32 2/21 – 5/2 Bluffton Alley Cats in lead at 4-0

AM3.5 2/19 3/7 – 5/2 Beaufort Smashers in lead at 3-0

AW3.5 4/58 2/19 – 5/2 Beaufort Red Hot Chili Peppers in first at 5-1

AM4.0 2/25 3/24-4/28 Bluffton Rovers in first at 2-0

AW4.0 5/68 2/14 – 5/2 Beaufort Sea Islanders lead at 5-0

Total 16/202

Coastal Carolina Super Senior Mixed Leagues as of 4/16/09

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/15/09

6.0 4/52 4/5 – 5/31 Bluffton Backhanders, Dataw Dominos tied at 1-0

7.0 2/19 5/16 – 6/13 Not started yet

8.0 4/47 4/15 – 5/27 Moss Creek in first at 1-0

Totals 10/ 118

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Two years ago TENNIS E-News ran a well-received series of excerpts from "The Code, The Players' Guide for Unofficiated Matches". You have asked for a repeat? You got it.

If a ball gets broken during play, the point should be replayed. If a ball is discovered to be soft, the point should not be replayed. A broken ball is one that has no pressure; a soft ball is one that has low pressure. Both should be removed from play as soon as the condition is discovered.

*Note: TENNIS E-News is not making up these items. All are taken word-for-word from USTA's "The Code" that can be found in the "Friend at Court" handbook or as a stand-alone leaflet -- available by going to http://www.usta.com and selec ting "USTA Shop" and then "Books" on that page.

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Upcoming Tournaments/Activity:

Apr. 24-26: “BillyBob” Doubles Championships / South Beach Racquet Club / Combined age divisions in men’s, women's, mixed doubles / 80 & older, 100 & older, 120 & older, 140 & older, and 150 & older levels / For information, call Michael O'Keefe at 671-2215.

May 1-3: 3rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge / Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center / Novice & Tournament boys & girls age-division singles / separate adult/junior run round robin May 1 / Benefit Children Research Institute / Call PD at 785-1152.

May 2-4: Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated Boys and Girls 12s and 14s / Van Der Meer Tennis Center / Sanctioned / 250 of top 12s & 14s in Southeast. / TennisLink ID #704115808 / For entry/other information, contact Justyn Schelver at 785-8388 ext. 119.

May 15-17: 4^th annual Bluffton Today Open Tennis Tournament / Bluffton High School & satellite sites / Rated Adult doubles on clay; Age division Junior singles & doubles on hard, plus Adult/Child doubles / Information, call Brett Robertson at 816-2033.

TENNIS E-News FootNote

ooooO

( ) A local newspaper’s Page One photo line: “ … Boo Weekley kicks off the tournament …”

( ) Same news sheet same day Sports Page One headline: “Boo Weekley Kicks Off Heritage Week … “

(___) To also mention that last week “Kayak Kicks Off Saturday” ……….. all these events apparently in the same sport, which is…….???

-- Dennis Malick

Monday Snack: Tennis Links

TENNIS E-NEWS

Monday, April 13, 2009 Vol. VIII, No. 37
2006 Winner of South Carolina Media Award
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

You can get to the Tennis Column intended for the April Hilton Head Monthly magazine but that made it only on the mag’s website. Click on this link and get the April happenings plus Gavin Cox’s learn-while-watching tennis tip. http://www.hiltonheadmonthly.com/life-a-style/tennis/673-tennis

Connect HHI to Family Circle Cup Action

Finding a Way To Play the #1 Seed in a Major Women’s Tour Event …

DANIEL ISLAND, CHARLESTON SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – How can you get to play the top seed at Family Circle Cup? Well, for Julie Ditty, winning 6-1, 6-1 in your first round match is the way. The former Vanderbilt ace who trains on Hilton Head Island defeated Ayumi Morita of Japan for a shot at #1 seed Elena Dementieva of Russia.

The main draw action in the $1 million FCC got under way today with the top eight seeds having first round byes -- #2 seed Venus Williams included. ESPN will be telecasting from the site Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

Two other players with HHI connections are out of the action. South Carolinian Mallory Cecil, who won the $10,000 satellite tournament at Van Der Meer Tennis last June, lost her first round match against Virginia Razzano of France 6-1, 6-2. Alison Riske of Pittsburgh, who has been working out with her big sister Sarah Riske McGlamery of Hilton Head Island, lost in the weekend qualifying 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to USA’s Abigail Spears, winner in the next round and set for main draw play Tuesday.

For updates on all FCC action and pairings with match times, go to http://www.familycirclecup.com.

Apr. 24-26 Tournament

Deadline Time Near for the BillyBob Combined-Age Doubles at South Beach R.C.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) – Entry deadline is just a week away for the 24^th annual BillyBob Century Cup Doubles that will play in combined ages of 80, 100, 120, 140 and 150 years at South Beach Racquet Club. Matches will begin Friday afternoon, Apr. 24, and continue through Sunday the 26^th.

Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles will be included with rating restrictions at each level. Not to worry that you and your 120s partner will run into a national champion. Here are the levels:

Two 80s divisions – one is open and the other is 4.0 and below.

100s – 4.5 and below

120s – 4.0 and below

140s – 3.5 and below

150s – 3.5 and below

Entry fees are $40 per person to enter one event and $50 for two and include a BillyBob shirt, a Friday evening players’ party and continental breakfasts each day. A pro exhibition will be played during the Friday party.

Entry deadline is Monday the 20^th at 6 p.m. For information, contact Tournament Director Michael O’Keefe at 671-2215 or go to http://www.southbeachracquetclub.com where you can download an entry form. Forms also are available at HHI area clubs and tennis shops.

DEADLINES COMING UP:

May 1-3 – 3^rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge – Apr. 26 deadline

May 15-17 – 4^th annual Bluffton Today Tennis Tournament – May 11 deadline.

3.5 Women’s Playoff 4/22

Country Club of HH Wins Men’s 2.5 Championship; States Next

Hilton Head Island SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – Country Club of Hilton Head took two straight-set courts to defeat Chaplin Park 2-1 and earn a Men’s 2.5 spot in next month’s USTA League South Carolina Senior State Championships that will be played on Hilton Head Island. The only likely opponent will be the champion of Coastal Carolina 2.5s yet to be determined.

With no 2.5s showing up from anywhere else in the state, the previous years saw all HHI league teams competing at SC States. Last year’s split of our area into HHI and CCTA prompted SC league officials to decide that just the two champions would compete for the state title.

Meanwhile, the HHI Senior Women’s 3.5s will play off Wednesday next week (22^nd) for the ticket to States. Unbeaten Flight I Spring Lake Twisted Sisters will be host to Flight II Palmetto Dunes PDQ (7-1) at 2:30 p.m. at Spring Lake.

The Spring Lake Lakers at 11-0 have clinched the Senior Men’s 3.0 division and Port Royal Pirates at 10-0 have done likewise in the Senior Men’s 4.0s. Down to the final weeks of play, several head-to-head matches will be deciding which team will get HHI entry at State Championships.

CCTA is wrapping up an amazingly tight first Spring season, with four of the seven divisions having teams tied for first place. Three of the divisions will finish next week; the third will play its final matches Apr. 27.

USTA LEAGUE STANDINGS – TennisLink as of 4/12/09

Hilton Head Island Senior Leagues

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/12/09

SM2.5 4/45 2/11 – 4/9 Country Club of HH in first at 6-3 – champion – season ended

SM3.0 14/162 1/26 – 4/20 Spring Lake Lakers lead at 11-0 – clinched as champion

SW3.0 12/142 2/3 – 4/21 Sea Pines CC Matchpoints in first at 9-0

SM3.5 13/163 1/28 – 4/22 Long Cove Mates, Sea Pines Cardinals tied at 10-0

SW3.5 18/223 2/11 – 4/11 Flight I – Spring Lake Twisted Sisters in lead at 8-0; Flight II – Palmetto Dunes PDQ in lead at 7-1

SM4.0 7/75 1/27 – 4/21 Port Royal Pirates in lead at 10-0 – clinched as champion

SW4.0 6/77 2/9 – 4/20 Port Royal Herricanes in first at 7-1

SM4.5 1/10 n/a Indigo Run Hogg Doggs

SW4.5 1/9 n/a Indigo Run Golden Bear Naked Ladies

Totals 76/906

Coastal Carolina Senior Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/12/09

SM2.5 2/19 2/26 – 4/23 Dataw Dynasores in first at 3-1

SM3.0 8/97 1/19 – 4/27 Sun City Slickers, Sun City Spoilers tied in first at 9-3

SW3.0 8/94 1/20 – 4/21 Dataw Darlins, Belfair Court Jesters tied at 9-3

SM3.5 10/118 2/25 – 4/22 Sun City Spin Doctors in first at 7-0

SW3.5 9/108 2/25 – 4/22 Sun City Madam Butterflies, Callawassie Steel Magnolias tied in first at 6-0

SM4.0 3/28 2/12 – 4/23 Sun City Sun Strokes, Sun City Gnats tied in first at 3-1

SW4.0 3/34 2/16 – 4/20 Springy Girls in lead at 4-2

Totals 43/498

Rated M/W/Mx Doubles Catetories

6^th annual CAN-AM Tournament Open to HHIslanders Apr. 23, 24 at Port Royal R.C.

Hilton Head Island SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – The Canadians are coming. The Canadians are coming. And, as in previous years, they are inviting Hilton Head Island area players to compete in the CAN-AM Tournament Thursday and Friday, Apr. 23 and 24, at Port Royal Racquet Club. Open to 3.0 to 5.5 players, the event guarantees four pro-set doubles matches.

Men’s and women’s doubles will be played Thursday the 23^rd and mixed doubles will be Friday the 24^th. Entry fee of $40 for one event and $65 for two includes luncheons each day and a Head “Skills & Drills” prize clinic.

For entry and more information, contact Port Royal at 686-8803 or go to the racquet club and enter.

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NEW AGAIN IN 2009: Two years ago TENNIS E-News ran a well-received series of excerpts from "The Code, The Players' Guide for Unofficiated Matches". You have asked for a repeat? You got it.

When is the coin toss (or racket spin) be made? The toss (spin) should be made before the warmup starts so the players can warm up on the same end from which they would play their first game.

*Note: TENNIS E-News is not making up these items. All are taken word-for-word from USTA's "The Code" that can be found in the "Friend at Court" handbook or as a stand-alone leaflet -- available by going to http://www.usta.com and selecting "USTA Shop" and then "Books" on that page.

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Upcoming Tournaments/Activity:

Apr. 23-24: 6^th annual Hilton Head Island Can-Am Tournament / Port Royal Racquet Club / Men’s, Women’s, Mixed Doubles / Open to 3.0 to 5.5 level players. Call Port Royal at 686-8803.

Apr. 24-26: “BillyBob” Doubles Championships / South Beach Racquet Club / Combined age divisions in men’s, women's, mixed doubles / 80 & older, 100 & older, 120 & older, 140 & older, and 150 & older levels / For information, call Michael O'Keefe at 671-2215.

May 1-3: 3rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge / Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center / Novice & Tournament boys & girls age-division singles / separate adult/junior run round robin May 1 / Benefit Children Research Institute / Call PD at 785-1152.

May 1-3: Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated Boys and Girls 12s and 14s / Van Der Meer Tennis Center / Sanctioned / 250 of top 12s & 14s in Southeast. / TennisLink ID #704115808 / For entry/other information, contact Justyn Schelver at 785-8388 ext. 119.

TENNIS E-News FootNote

ooooO

( ) A suburban mother’s role is to deliver obstetrically once, and by car forever after.

( ) -- Peter de Vries

(___) Another way to solve the traffic problems of this country is to pass a law that only paid-for cars be allowed to use the highways.

-- Will Rogers (from Curmudgeon compiled by Jon Winokur for Funny Times)

-- Dennis Malick

DMC Champions

TENNIS E-NEWS

Sunday, April 05, 2009 Vol. VIII, No. 36
2006 Winner of South Carolina Media Award
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Benefit Cancer Society, Island Rec

DMC Championships Finish With Sizzling Results Despite Absence of Sizzling Sunshine

Hilton Head Island SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – The final junior match of the 5^th annual DMC Tennis Championships ended in a 13-11 third-set tiebreak. The final adult match was 6-4, 7-6(5). Now THAT’s the way it’s s’posed to be.

Tournament Director Tom Jilly and Referee Sandra Morrissette had it planned that way, of course, as the lineup of 162 entrants came down to a bevy of three-set finals in the USTA-sanctioned championships held to benefit the American Cancer Society and Island Recreation Center’s programs. The event is in memory of David Carmines, young Islander who lost his battle with cancer several years ago.

While the adults finished earlier on the clays of Van Der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club, the juniors wrapped up their finals at Chaplin Public Tennis Center just before the rains came.

With the juniors finishing on the four original Chaplin courts, a “Celebration of Life and Love” was held midafternoon on the newer courts, honoring Paul and Natalie Braden, who died this year within six weeks of each other. Braden was a driving force for creation of Public Tennis, Inc., that brought about construction of the Chaplin facility. His brother Vic came in from his California tennis training center and shared lifetime memories with Braden family members from outside the state and 50 to 60 from the HHI tennis community. Dr. Owen Tucker presided.

Here are today’s results:

Men's 3.0 Doubles – Final -- Carmines/Parente d. Janiak/Roberts 6-2; 6-2

Men's 3.5 Doubles – Quarterfinal -- Kendall/Lauderdale d. (2) Abernathy/Stockfisch 6-0; 6-1; Semifinals -- McGlamery/Walton d. Kendall/Lauderdale 6-2; 7-5; (1) Battistelli/Ryan d. Hunting/McCourt 7-6(5); 3-6; 10-5; Final -- (1) Battistelli/Ryan d. McGlamery/Walton 3-6; 6-4; 10-1

Men's 4.5 Doubles – Final -- Arr/Luba d. Iannuzzi/Young 7-5; 6-4

Women's 3.0 Doubles – Final -- Knutson/Miller d. Chang/Chang 6-2; 7-6(2)

Women's 3.5 Doubles – Final -- (1) Janiak/Kincaid d. Carmines/Halseth 6-0; 6-0

Combined Mixed 6.0 Doubles – Final -- Topper/Vitale d. Gleitsmann/Rohlfing 6-4; 7-6(3)

Combined Mixed 7.0 Doubles – Final -- Jilly/Ryan d. (1) Ey/Kraus 6-2; 6-3

Combined Mixed 8.0 Doubles – Round Robin -- Cooke/Cooke d. Arr/Arr 1-6; 6-4; 10-7

Men's Open Singles – Final -- Ben Simon d. Bradley Orwig 6-1; 6-0

Men's 3.0 Singles – Final -- Tom Cambron d. Robert Brown 6-4; 6-2

Men's 3.5 Singles – Final -- Todd McGlamery d. (1) Thorsten Brockmann 7-5; 6-4

Men's 4.0 Singles – Round Robin -- Doug Clark d. Richard Silver 1-6; 6-4; 10-4; Bob Awrey d. Doug Clark 3-6; 6-3; 10-7; Richard Silver d. Bob Awrey 6-4; 6-1

Women's 3.5 Singles – Round Robin -- Tracy Sklarin d. Kerri Cooke 6-4; 7-6(5)

Boys' 18 Singles – Final -- Bradley Dobbins d. Mo Hookaylo 4-6; 6-1; 10-2; Consolation: Final -- (2) Cameron McLendon d. Philip Geber 8-2

Boys' 16 Singles – Semifinals -- Jared Woodson d. Santiago PintoHugues 6-0; 6-1; (1) Brent Lett d. Matthew Kelly 6-1; 6-1; Final -- Woodson d. Lett 2-6; 6-1; 10-4; Consolation: Semifinals -- Christopher Davis d. Thomas Capocasale 8-1; Spencer Sasko d. Paul Cifaldi 8-3; Final -- Sasko d. Davis 8-3

Boys' 14 Singles – Final -- (1) Charlie Drake d. Hampton Drake 4-6; 6-3; 10-6; Consolation: Final -- Carsten Fisher d. Christopher Cindrich 8-6

Boys' 12 Singles – Semifinals -- Mitchell Brockmann d. (2) Christopher Demarco 6-3; 6-3; (1) Amit Kohli d. Tate Steinour 6-0; 6-2; Final -- Brockmann d. Kohli 4-6; 6-2; 10-2; Consolation: Semifinals -- Cameron Clark d. John Larson 8-6; Nicholas Wheeler d. Tristan Cummings 8-1; Final -- Clark d. Wheeler 8-6

Boys' 10 Singles – Semifinals -- Will Danzell d. (2) Justin Boulais 6-2; 6-0; (1) Alex Likins d. Jack Wylly 6-1; 6-4; Final -- (1) Alex Likins d. Will Danzell 7-5; 3-6; 10-8; Consolation: Semifinals -- Richard Allen d. Bryson Cummings 8-6; Thomas Jenkins d. Coy Simon 8-5; Final -- Jenkins d. Allen 8-2

Girls' 18 Singles – Final -- Ksenia Laskutova d. (1) Victoria Laskutova Wo (ill); Consolation: Final -- Shena Joseph d. Ann Coleman 8-3

Girls' 16 Singles – Semifinals -- (2) Samantha Droop d. Chelsea Bellomy 6-0; 6-3; (1) Kelly Cameron d. Sonya Stover 6-1; 6-2; Final -- (2) Droop d. Cameron 2-6; 7-5; 10-7; Consolation: Semifinal -- Ashley Bierschenk d. Laura Hayes 8-3; Final -- Kirstin Jurgensen d. Bierschenk 8-6

Girls' 14 Singles – Final -- (2) Sarah Barkley d. Charlotte Bellomy 6-3; 6-3; Consolation: Semifinal -- Shea Donahue d. (1) Charlotte Loper 8-7(3); Final -- Donahue d. Sydnee Wheeler 8-2

Girls' 12 Singles – Final -- (1) Jenai Charles d. (2) Valerie Droop 6-3; 6-3; Consolation: Final -- Isabelle Boulais d. Cameron Kriscunas 8-7(7)

Boys' 18 Doubles – Round Robin -- Drake/Kirk d. Austin/Ledbetter Wo (inj); Bahr/Surovic d. Austin/Ledbetter 6-0; 6-0

Boys' 16 Doubles – Final -- Roberts/Woodson d. (2) Burke/PintoHugues 6-3; 4-6; 13-11

Boys' 14 Doubles – Final -- Drake/Drake d. Fisher/Likins 6-4; 6-1

Boys' 12 Doubles – Round Robin -- Kohli/Larson d. Likins/Wheeler 7-6(5); 6-0

Girls' 16 Doubles – Round Robin -- Jurgensen/Loper d. Bellomy/Coleman 6-4; 7-6(7); Sheeran/Stover winner of round robin

Girls' 12 Doubles – Final -- Czura/Wheeler d. Boulais/Droop 6-2; 6-0

$1.4 Million Island Windfall

HHI Gets Only 1 Wildcard for SC Seniors Championships May 9-11

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) – The USTA League South Carolina State Championships are a month away and HHI finds itself with just one wildcard in the early draw normally populated by local teams. Coastal Carolina has been allotted two.

The championships will be held on the Island for the fifth straight year, featuring about 1,000 players and a big cash cow for HHI lodging, restaurant and gift shop owners. The Saturday-though-Monday playoffs last year produced nearly $1.4 million in business, according to a USC-Beaufort economic study.

Under the current format, Hilton Head Island Tennis Leagues has been allotted a wildcard in Men’s 4.0 as well as the local champion’s spot. Because of the high number of teams in local leagues, HHI will have two men’s and two women’s entrants. All the other categories will have only one HHI competitor in each -- 3.5 men’s and women’s, 4.0 women’s and 4.5 women’s.

District Tournament

Coastal Carolina has wildcards in 3.0 women’s and 3.0 men’s. Champions will be competing from CCTA in those categories, plus 3.5 and 4.0 men’s and women’s.

From now until championships weekend, any teams dropping out and declining to compete from upstate may bring more HHI teams into the action. Those, however, will not be wildcards, but teams subbing local league championship slots.

Fall Planning Begins

Attention Super Senior 70s, 75s: Pre-League Season Information Needed

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – You just THINK it’s too early to start plans for the fall USTA League Super Senior season. Not so the local coordinators who are trying to get some ducks in line before captains and players split for summer travel and other activities. Information from 70s and 75s captains and potential captains is especially sought.

“As many of us are out of town for all or part of the summer months,” Men’s Coordinator Don Grider said, “(We) need to get a handle on the number of possible teams in (70s and 75s) … due in part to the many ratings changes from 3.0 to 3.5 and the unknown status of some Coastal Carolina teams which played in our league last Super Senior Season.”

Grider said he doesn’t want and “It’s too early; I’m not sure” replies, but simply as much information as each captain and potential captain can provide now.

The 70s and 75s will continue with a September-October season that will start date depending on number of teams in each level. South Carolina State Championships are set for Nov. 5-8 at Wild Dunes, Isle of Palms. Probable play days will be the same as last year: 3.5 75s on Monday, 3.0 70s on Tuesday, 3.0 75s on Wednesday and 3.5 70s on Thursday.

Any matches played in the 75s will not count toward computer rankings, Grider said.

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Two years ago TENNIS E-News ran a well-received series of excerpts from "The Code, The Players' Guide for Unofficiated Matches". You have asked for a repeat? You got it.

Having heard a heated “discussion” in a racquet club parking lot Saturday prompts this goes-without-saying reminder:

The server shall announce the game score before the first point of the game and the point score before each subsequent point of the game. Disputes over the score shall be resolved by using one of the following methods, which are listed in order of preference:

· Count all points and games agreed upon by the players and replay only the disputed points or games;

· Play from a score mutually agreeable to all players;

· Spin a racket or toss a coin

You too can get a copy of The Code – a complete version or a shortened one – at http://www.usta.com. Go to USTA Shop and publications.

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Upcoming Tournaments/Activity:

Apr. 24-26: “BillyBob” Doubles Championships / South Beach Racquet Club / Combined age divisions in men’s, women's, mixed doubles / 80 & older, 100 & older, 120 & older, 140 & older, and 150 & older levels / For information, call Michael O'Keefe at 671-2215.

May 1-3: 3rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge / Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center / Novice & Tournament boys & girls age-division singles / separate adult/junior run round robin May 1 / Benefit Children Research Institute / Call PD at 785-1152.

May 1-3: Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated Boys and Girls 12s and 14s / Van Der Meer Tennis Center / Sanctioned / 250 of top 12s & 14s in Southeast. / TennisLink ID #704115808 / For entry/other information, contact Justyn Schelver at 785-8388 ext. 119.

TENNIS E-News FootNote

ooooO

( ) “I hate when people honk at me, unless I’m making a left turn. Then I like it because that’s how I know it’s time to turn.”

( ) -- Rita Rudner

(___) “One time a cop pulled me over for running a stop sign. He said, ‘Didn’t you see that stop sign?’

I said, “Yeah, but I don’t believe everything I read.” -- Steven Wright

-- Dennis Malick

dmc tonight

TENNIS E-News

Apr. 03, 2009 Vol. VIII, No. 34
South Carolina Tennis 2006 Media Award Winner
Hilton Head Island SC

Memorial Service Sunday for Paul and Natalie Braden

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) --A public memorial service will be held Sunday for Paul Braden and wife Natalie, both of whom died recently. The 2 p.m. ceremony at Chaplin Public Tennis Center will honor Braden, who chaired the Public Tennis, Inc. steering committee that laid the groundwork for creation of the Chaplin facility. Members of the Braden family, PTI and others of the HHI tennis community are expected to attend.

Player Party ThisEvening

DMC Gets Under Way Today at Chaplin Park --162 Entrants: 79 Adults and 83 Juniors

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNISE-News) -- Play got under way this afternoon in the annual DMC Tennis Championships, with juniors playing at Chaplin Public Tennis Center and adults at Van Der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club. The 5th annual tournament, presented by Coligny Hilton Head and the David M. Carmines Memorial Foundation, will benefit the American Cancer Society and Island Recreation Association programs.

Juniors opened play at Chaplin and will be background entertainment as players gather for the annual tournament party catered by Hudson's Sea Food from 6 to 8 p.m. Juniors will continue on the hard courts at Chaplin Saturday, while adults will get an 8 a.m. start at Shipyard. Finals are set for Sunday.

Bunea, Srivastava, Hopper Winners

Rain Scatters KidZone Kids, Turns One-Day Tournament Into a Two-Day Funfest

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) – The KidZone Quickstart Tournament last weekend caught the first of a series of storms that disrupted tennis life on the Island this week. The event started at Chaplin Public Tennis Center but ended up Sunday at Spring Lake Racquet Club. Here are the final results:

Under 12 division: Nicole Bunea won the co-ed division against Bo Jenkins in a three exciting sets Sunday morning. The back draw was won by Page Cooleys from Michigan against Mathew Oliver also in three sets.

Under 10: Baruk Srivastava took the honors over Bryce Flowers in three sets. In the back draw, Payton Flowers took the honors in three sets against Ben Baird.

Under 8: Christian Hopper was the winner over Luke McGuire. In the back draw, it was Jack Armistead a winner against Cameron Duncan.

Pictures of the event are available at http://kidzonetennis.com/tournament.html.

4 Court Wins Separate #1, #4

4 Teams in League; All Four in Tight Race in HHI Men’s 2.5s

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-NEWS) – The USTA League 2.5 division, which can never seem to find any competition outside our area, has plenty going on right here. The Men's 2.5s are entangled in a four-team, four-way tight race that can totally flipflop in just one day of play.

Barring any unreported matches amid the rains of the last couple days, Country Club of Hilton Head and Moss Creek are tied with 4-3 team records, the Clubbers ahead by virtue of winning 13 courts, compared to the Creeksters' 10. Just behind is Sea Pines Country Club at 3-4 and also with 10 courts won and Chaplin Park at 3-4, having won nine courts. Stay tuned.

USTA LEAGUE STANDINGS – TennisLink as of 4/02/09

Some were watching The Weather Channel too long; some just went out and played. That resulted in standings appearing somewhat akilter as teams scramble to make up the matches. Today's forecast was for rain. Pardon my sunglasses, but here is what we found on TennisLink:

Hilton Head Island Senior Leagues

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/02/09

SM2.5 4/45 2/11 – 4/9 Country Club of HH, Moss Creek tied for first at 4-3

SM3.0 14/162 1/26 – 4/20 Spring Lake Lakers lead at 10-0

SW3.0 12/142 2/3 – 4/21 Sea Pines CC Matchpoints in first at 9-0

SM3.5 13/163 1/28 – 4/22 Sea Pines Cardinals in first at 9-0

SW3.5 18/223 2/11 – 4/11 Flight I – Spring Lake Twisted Sisters in lead at 7-0; Flight II – Palmetto Dunes Senior Chix in lead at 6-0

SM4.0 7/75 1/27 – 4/21 Port Royal Pirates in lead at 9-0

SW4.0 6/77 2/9 – 4/20 Port Royal Herricanes, Palmetto Dunes Dames With Game tied at 6-1

SM4.5 1/10 n/a Indigo Run Hogg Doggs

SW4.5 1/9 n/a Indigo Run Golden Bear Naked Ladies

Totals 76/906

Hilton Head Island Adult Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/02/09

AW2.5 4/46 2/14 - 5/2 Spanish Wells Love Means Nothing, SCYacht Ms. Fits tied at 5-1

AM3.0 4/53 2/14 – 5/2 Wexford Blaze of Glory in lead at 5-1

AW3.0 5/74 1/29 – 4/25 Wexford Player Slayers in first at 7-0

AM3.5 6/83 1/31 – 5/2 Wexford Warriors in lead at 7-0

AW3.5 14/208 1/29 – 5/16 Indigo Run Indigo Slice, Long Cove Covettes tied at 8-0

AM4.0 5/62 2/15 – 4/26 PDTC Smash, Chaplin Park Racquet Scientists tied at 5-1

AW4.0 4/61 1/31 – 4/25 Sea Pine’s Smashers in lead at 7-0

AM4.5 2/25 2/22 – 3/29 South Beach BT Express clinched at 3-0

AW4.5 2/29 2/22 – 3/29 PDTC clinched at 4-0

Total 46/641

Coastal Carolina Senior Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/02/09

SM2.5 2/19 2/26 – 4/23 Dataw Dynasores in first at 2-1

SM3.0 8/97 1/19 – 4/27 Sun City Spoilers in first at 9-2

SW3.0 8/94 1/20 – 4/21 Dataw Darlins, Beaufort Breeze, Belfair Court Jesters tied at 8-3

SM3.5 10/118 2/25 – 4/22 Sun City Spin Doctors, Callawassie Islanders tied at 5-0

SW3.5 9/108 2/25 – 4/22 Sun City Madam Butterflies in first at 5-0

SM4.0 3/28 2/12 – 4/23 Sun City Sun Strokes in first at 3-1

SW4.0 3/34 2/16 – 4/20 Springy Girls in lead at 4-1

Totals 43/498

Coastal Carolina Adult Leagues

Playing # of Teams/

Level players Season Team Leaders as of 4/02/09

AW3.0 3/32 2/21 – 5/2 Bluffton Alley Cats in lead at 3-0

AM3.5 2/19 3/7 – 5/2 Beaufort Smashers in lead at 2-0

AW3.5 4/58 2/19 – 5/2 Sun City Twisted Sisters in first at 4-1

AM4.0 2/25 3/24-4/28 Bluffton Rovers in first at 1-0

AW4.0 5/68 2/14 – 5/2 Beaufort Sea Islanders lead at 5-0

Totals 16/202

CCTA Totals 58/700

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Player Wanted:

2.5 Super Senior Woman (60 or older) is needed by the Bluffton Backhanders in the new Coastal Carolina Tennis Association Super Senior Mixed Doubles league. Other teams are from Sun City and Dataw Island. Interested players should contact Ray Hardy at rayhardy36@aol.com.

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NEW AGAIN IN 2009: Two years ago TENNIS E-News ran a well-received series of excerpts from "The Code, The Players' Guide for Unofficiated Matches". You have asked for a repeat? You got it.

If the ball in play touches a permanent fixture after it has hit the correct court, the player who hit the ball wins the point. If the ball in play touches a permanent fixture before it hits the ground, the player who hit the ball loses the point.

*Note: TENNIS E-News is not making up these items. All are taken word-for-word from USTA's "The Code" that can be found in the "Friend at Court" handbook or as a stand-alone leaflet -- available by going to http://www.usta.com and selecting "USTA Shop" and then "Books" on that page.

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Upcoming Tournaments/Activity:

Apr. 3-5: 5^th annual DMC Memorial Tennis Championships / Chaplin PTC, HHIHS, VDM Shipyard / USTA-sanctioned Juniors and Adults singles and doubles. Tournament ID# 704107009 for Adults and 704122809 for Juniors. Or call Island Rec at 681-7273.

Apr. 24-26: “BillyBob” Doubles Championships / South Beach Racquet Club / Combined age divisions in men’s, women's, mixed doubles / 80 & older, 100 & older, 120 & older, 140 & older, and 150 & older levels / For information, call Michael O'Keefe at 671-2215.

May 1-3: 3rd annual Banana Open Junior Challenge / Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center / Novice & Tournament boys & girls age-division singles / separate adult/junior run round robin May 1 / Benefit Children Research Institute / Call PD at 785-1152.

May 1-3: Bullfrog USTA Southern Section Designated Boys and Girls 12s and 14s / Van Der Meer Tennis Center / Sanctioned / 250 of top 12s & 14s in Southeast. / TennisLink ID #704115808 / For entry/other information, contact Justyn Schelver at 785-8388 ext. 119.

TENNIS E-News FootNote

ooooO

( ) Eleanor Roosevelt:

( ) “I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog:

(___) ‘No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.’”

-- Planet Proctor, compiled by Phil Proctor in Funny Times

-- Dennis Malick