St. Petersburg got a jump on USA Tennis Month when Tyrone Square Mall was the site of last weekend's Rock and Rally event.
Aimed at exposing as many youths and adults to tennis as possible during May, the rally featured interactive games and a variety of prizes. Tampa Bay Buccaneer Dave Moore was on hand to sign autographs, as well as hit some tennis balls.
The rally ran from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and was coordinated by Treasure Bay tennis director Phil Girardi, who was assisted by St. Petersburg Country Club tennis director Sam Vuille, USA Community Coordinator Jeff Davis and Treasure Bay assistant pros Ed LaVoie and Dean Okrasinski. More than a dozen volunteers were involved in coordinating the event.
"We had about 100 on the court during the day and several hundred more that picked up information," Girardi said. "Our goal was exposure to the public of what's available in the area tennis-wise, and I feel we accomplished that."
The event was sponsored by the Suncoast Tennis Foundation, the area's community association. As a member of the USTA, the STF and its volunteers are focused on following USTA president Alan Schwartz's message in the May/June issue of USTA Magazine: "It's "time to come out swinging." The rally event is a nationwide effort to help Schwartz and his administration do just that.
One of the key initiatives during Schwartz's term has been the launching of Tennis Welcome Centers across the nation. This month, professionals will offer group lessons at various times and at affordable prices. The effort is a first-ever attempt to partner facilities with the tennis industry to promote the game and increase their business.
In Pinellas, 16 facilities have registered as a Tennis Welcome Center, including Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club, Shipwatch Tennis Club, the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg, Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club, Treasure Bay, the St. Petersburg Tennis Center and St. Petersburg Country Club. In all, there are almost 30 in the Tampa Bay area. To locate other area centers, visit www.ourtennis.net and click on the Tennis Welcome Center logo.
Advantage Yours Tennis, a specialty shop in Clearwater, is participating in May's efforts to grow the game by introducing its "trade in, trade up, give back" program. When collecting old and used rackets from customers, the shop will offer $20 to be used toward the purchase of a new racket. Advantage Yours will refurbish the used rackets before donating them to the STF and their grassroots programs for youths and adults.
At Treasure Bay, Girardi is following up last weekend's Rock and Rally with a open house from 10 a.m.-noon May22. A free beginners clinic will begin at 10:30 a.m. and there will be a demo day with Prince rackets. Call 360-6062 to sign up. The STF is hosting a second Rock and Rally from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May22 at the Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside at the west lower level.
NET SHOTS: The Police Athletic League is offering a "welcome to tennis" session from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Seminole High School. Youths will have an opportunity to learn more about PAL's summer tennis program. Call 580-2946. ... An organizational meeting for South County USA Team Tennis for youths begins at 1 p.m. May19. Sponsored by the Suncoast Tennis Foundation, the activity is for youths, ages 6 and older, and offers skill levels from beginning Rallyball to advanced. For details, contact Sam Vuille 867-9105 or Phil Girardi 368-0882. ... The USA Tennis Florida Combo League begins in Pinellas for women on May25 and men June5. Interested teams should contact league coordinator Norm Ott 526-7966.
THIS WEEKEND: Competition begins at the Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach in the USA Tennis Florida State Senior Championships. McMullen's 3.0 and Innisbrook's 3.5 senior women's teams join Countryside Country Club's 3.0 and Phil Green Tennis Academy's 3.5 men's squads open competition Friday. State winners advance to national championships.
COMING UP: The Treasure Island Rookie Tournament begins Saturday at the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. Boys and girls singles with consolation play is offered by tournament director Scott Smith. Call 367-5479. ... Memories in Clearwater is May22-24 for juniors at Clearwater's McMullen Tennis Complex. Call 669-1919. ... East Lake Woodlands hosts the 14th Annual Morton Plant Mease Fundraiser Tennis Tournament May28-31. Men's, women's and mixed doubles in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and open divisions are available. Call 785-2212 or e-mail MPMTennis@aol.com
