Network News Blast #94: 2011-01-24
Topics: 1. Men’s Professional Tournament in Palm Coast, Jan. 25 – Feb. 06
2. Charity Tournament at DeBary CC on Feb. 12
3. Money Tournament Series in DeLand Jan. 28 – Feb. 20
4. “Champion of Champions” Tournament in Daytona Feb. 26 + 27
5. Bus trip to “Sony Ericsson Open” in Miami on March 28 + 29
Hello tennis friends in Volusia & Flagler Counties.
A tennis event every weekend – isn’t that what we live for? This week’s “Blast” gives you information about tournaments that you can either play in or watch, all over the state. And they cover the span from charity event to big prize money tournament. More information on all of these events can be found by clicking here which will take you to the calendar on our website where all of these events are listed with their links.
1. Men’s Professional “Futures” Tournament in Palm Coast, Jan. 25 – Feb. 06
For the second consecutive year, the Palm Coast Tennis Center hosts a $ 10,000 USTA Men’s Professional tennis tournament. The event consists of three parts:
The Wild Card tournament for entry into the Qualifying tournament takes place January 25 - 27. Yes, YOU, the player and “Network News Blast” reader, may play in it if you pay the $45 entry fee for singles and $20 for doubles. But hurry, entry closes 01/24, 4 p.m. The Qualifying tournament for entry into the Main Draw is from January 28 - 31. And the Main Draw tournament runs from February 1 - 6. Admission is FREE from Jan. 25 - Feb. 03. After that, tickets start at $5. The list of players can be found at http://www.itftennis.com/mens/tournaments/tournamentacceptancelist.asp?tournament=1100023457&event=&order=Position. Greg Ouellette is the top seed for the tournament, as far as locals go. There are also a few local high school players that signed up for the wild card event. Best for updates is to click on “USTA Pro Circuit Info” on www.palmcoasttenniscenter.com. Information there will be updated at the end of each day.
PCTC also offers some community events in conjunction with the pro tournament: Kids Day on Jan. 30, Meet-n-Greet Players Party on January 31, and Pro/Am doubles with the playing pros on Feb. 2. Futures are 'first step' professional tournaments featuring players trying to earn first points in pursuit of an ATP ranking. For information and tickets, call the Palm Coast Tennis Center at (386) 986-2550. They might also still be looking for volunteers to help with various chores.
2. Valentine Charity Tournament in DeBary Saturday, Feb. 12, 9 - 1 p.m.
For the third year, a doubles tournament and fundraiser for the “Volusia County Council for Exceptional Children Transition Scholarship Fund” will take place at the DeBary Golf & Country Club. For $20, you will play some round robin tennis and help a very worthy cause. There will also be an auction and a 50/50 raffle. Expected auction items include: wine baskets, Italian dinner basket, chocolate basket, ‘movie night basket.’ coffee basket, cosmetics basket, Private Quarters, lotto basket, auto-care basket, tennis lessons, and more. For an additional $10, you will also be invited to dine at a barbecue on the clubhouse’s veranda. Last year, the CEC Fund provided $250 scholarships to students from each of the high schools in Volusia County (10 scholarships) from the proceeds of the event. For information, contact Dr. Janet K. Raney, at (386) 822-9349, or cec.raney@gmail.com.
3. Prize Money Tournament Series at “Tennis Maximus” in DeLand
If you want to make money from your amazing tennis skills, “Tennis Maximus” (formerly known as DeLand Country Club) offers you the opportunity to do just that. A series of tournaments will allow you to collect up to $500 in prize money per event. Men A + B play from January 28 – 30 (Hurry! Sign-up closes 01/25!), Women A + B play from February 4 – 6, and Men’s Open runs from February 17 – 20. Players rated 4.0 – 5.0 should play in the “A” category, players rated 2.5 – 4.0 in “B,” and anyone may play “Open.” There will be both singles and doubles. Entry fee varies by event. Format is pro set in the early rounds and 2 out of 3 sets for semifinals and finals. For more information, for example on how those winnings might affect your USTA amateur status, talk to tournament director Frank Cosentino, at (321) 279-8154. Flyers for all three events are also on our website “www.daytonatennis.com.”
4. “USPTA Champion of Champions” Tournament on Feb. 26 + 27 at FTC
Now in its 7th edition, the “USPTA Champion of Champions” doubles tournament at Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach brings together many tennis players in our two counties for a weekend of good competition and to raise money for the United Way Charities, ARC and the Literacy Council. This event is all doubles, so you must enter with a partner. The categories are 2.5/3.0/3.5/4.0/4.5/Open, and ages Open/50+/60+, and 70+. Most players will enter to represent their club and compete for the Cup and bragging rights for having the best players in Volusia and Flagler counties. However, anyone can enter as an independent and compete for the signature glass plaque and winner of your rated level. Cost is $33 per player. Fall 2010 GVTL ratings determine the division you may enter. Enter online at “Active.com,” click “Golf & Tennis,” then “Tennis,” then scroll to “Tennis Activities Near You,” then “7th Annual USPTA Champion of Champions.” Registrations are now open. For additional information, call Dave Brown at (386) 236-4292, or dbrown@icihomes.com.
5. Bus trip To “Sony Ericsson Open” in Key Biscayne on March 28 + 29
Last but not least, an event where you watch tennis but don’t need to play it yourself. In fact, you don’t need to do much of anything yourself. A popular, well-organized trip to the combined WTA/ATP “Sony Ericsson Open” tournament in Key Biscayne will take place on March 28 + 29. You will experience 15 hours of tennis (Monday night and Tuesday day matches), luxury motor coach transportation, first-class hotel accommodation with hot and cold breakfast, close-up with the top 100 Pros on practice courts, many vendor booths with give-aways, prizes, games, in a visitor-friendly facility, USTA member hospitality and appreciation, and a “Senior Tennis of Volusia” gift. Cost per person: Quad-$185.00; Triple-$225.00, Double-$245.00; Single-$295.00. For more information, contact Barbara Wong at 321-631-0419 or 386-846-2746 or email: stov@cfl.rr.com.
Dear tennis friends in Volusia/Flagler counties, ‘nuff said. Now go out and do something: play, watch, travel, or help. Happy Trails to y’all.
The “Network News Blast” is written on Sunday afternoons by Jan Buenner. Jan is a local tennis player, president of the “Tennis Network of Greater Volusia County,” on the GVTL board of directors, and owns the Trails Racquet Club in Ormond Beach. The opinions expressed are solely his own. If you have comments about today’s “Network News Blast,” or newsworthy tennis topics from your facility for the next “Blast,” or know someone who wants to be added to our mailing list, please contact Jan@Trailsracquetclub.com, or (386) 677-8081. We are always interested in hearing from you.
This message comes to you from The Tennis Network of Greater Volusia County. www.daytonatennis.com
Thank you for supporting local tennis!