When Ken Ford was discharged from the service, the New Yorker traveled the country looking for the right place to move for tennis.
In 1969, he landed in St. Petersburg.
Ford began competing in the St. Petersburg singles league in the late 1980s, and he has been a steady player since 1995. He won his first league in the winter session's B-1 division.
"When I first started playing, I was in the B-6 division, with nine B divisions in all," said Ford, 56. "In a year, I moved from B-4 to B-2, then B-1. I've been in that level for about nine years, and something has always kept me from advancing. I made it to some of the playoffs but didn't quite make it past to the next division."
Ford describes himself as a conventional player with a slice on groundstrokes. His strategy is to play aggressively, charge the net to take advantage of his opponent and hit with pace. "Growing up in Staten Island, I was about 11 when I started playing tennis," Ford said. "It was more rural, then and a rented lot beside our house was made into a tennis court by the neighborhood. I played more tennis in high school but wasn't very competitive. What I really liked about tennis was that in singles you're placed against your opponent, and it's just you."
Though Ford prefers singles for its more individual competitive nature, he's playing USA League Tennis for the first time in the adult program and competing in doubles at the 3.5 level for St. Petersburg Tennis Center.
"I like doubles, and especially on the USTA team," Ford said. "I think for me, since I've been playing more, I'm playing more intelligently and being more patient. In the city league, I'm in the A-4 division and am starting off pretty even in results. Although I prefer to win, some of my best matches I've lost."
Ford was challenged by Tom Soule and Stefan Frisch for the B-4 title, but Ford prevailed. Joining Ford in the winners' circle are Matt Wilson (B-2), Allen Sanchez (B-3), Donald Thorpe (B-4), Chris DeWitt (B-5) and Craig Shirley (B-6). In A-division competition, Nik Sukhasam reclaimed A-1, Marc Zamanillo A-2, Willie Bert A-3 and Lowell McKee A-4.
In women's play, Elisabeth Leitner edged Cathy Harrelson in A-1, Dawn Gillingham outlasted Nancy Bahls and Lori Intravichit in A-2, and Kathy Marma won over Donna Coons and Stefanie Seropian in A-3.
Sallie Dowdney won B-2, Nicole Capasso B-3 and Maria Markis B-4.
RANKED JUNIORS: Among the players receiving U.S. Tennis Association national singles rankings in 2003 were Alexandria Liles (girls 18-and-under), No. 12; and her younger sister, Christina (14 & 16 divisions), No. 18 and 96, respectively. Morgan Frank played to a 43-25 record for a No. 42 ranking in girls 14. In the 12 class, Morgan Basil was No. 56 with a 28-15 mark, and Alexandra Cercone was No. 59 at 23-15. George Navas was No. 92 in boys 16.
NET SHOTS: Seminole's Alexandra Cercone, unseeded in the USTA Spring National Championships, advanced to the girls 12 singles quarterfinal round. Seeded seventh in doubles with Jacqueline Kasler of Gulf Breeze, Cercone played to the final before losing to the top-seeded team in three sets.
Beginning Friday, Westin Innisbrook Resort's 3.5 women's team and Shipwatch Tennis Club's men compete in USA Tennis Florida's Super Senior Championships for players at least 60. Innisbrook was unbeaten (9-0) among four teams in the local league, and Shipwatch defeated PGTA in a playoff.
In the Climb for Cancer fundraiser at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club, Randy Meisner teamed with former pro Brian Gottfried to finish first in the men's competition. Placing second were Mark Taylor and Richard Schmidt. Ken Cherven and Tom Gulickson were third.
Seminole's Lauren Scaglione defended her top seed to win the women's open singles title in the Safety Harbor Spring Classic. Carol Fontaine won the 55-and-over crown.
Seminole's Danielle Collins upset the top seed in three sets to win the girls 14 singles title in the SPTC Juniors Easter Classic. Robert Perry beat the boys 10 top seed in straight sets. Philip McQuade defended his top seed to capture the 16 championship over Nicholas Gallauer 6-4, 7-5. Brandon Pierpont won the 18 consolation.
COMING UP: Largo Tennis Center plays host to the Rookie Singles Tournament this weekend. Enter by 5 p.m. today. Call Linda Kettell, 403-8588.
