Naples tennis pros practice what they preach

Once again, the Naples Pro League is providing many area tennis pros breaks from teaching, with the opportunity to compete among themselves and some outstanding independent players at local courts for both their own and spectator enjoyment.

Thirty-two men’s and women’s participants gathered for the seventh time this season at the Audubon Country Club in North Naples on Feb. 4 to add new chapters in friendly and highly competitive rivalries.

All of the doubles matches began at 5 p.m. on all eight of the Audubon courts with lights activated from the outset due to overcast skies. In cases where each team won one set, a 10-point-must tiebreak was invoked to determine winners.

The four matches between teams sponsored by the Pro Am Tennis retail store and Samotin Chiropractic were split.

For Samotin, Audubon’s director of tennis Carlos Huerta paired with Joel Hampton of The Quarry in defeating ex-ATP Tour player Bogdan Badiu of Hideaway Beach and Cary Vaughn, 6-2, 6-4; and Eric Turnquist of Hideaway Beach plus Tyler Manring topped Jose Pastrello of Quail Creek and Seth Fogelman, 6-1, 1-6 (10-1).

Pro Am’s victories came from store owner Roddy Cantey and Traviso Bay’s Sean Hedrick defeating Rick Calton of Island Country Club, Marco Island, and Felipe Cardoza, 7-5, 6-2; and Fernando Maynetto of Grey Oaks and Jordan Vaughan of Fiddlers Creek edging Quail West’s Warren Eber, also director of the Naples Pro League, and Sarah Cantey, 6-4, 5-7 (10-5).

The teams representing Nerium and Ritzman Courts also won two matches each.

Nerium’s wins derived from Jason Lee and Benji Kendal, both of Yamron Jewelers, topping Denny Rager of The Players Club & Spa plus Jerome Moenter, 6-4, 6-3; and Mike Baldwin and Tim Keegan, director of tennis and pro, respectively, of The Club at Mediterra, edging Johan Saurbier of Pelican Marsh and Anthony Hatori of Pelican Sound, 4-6, 7-5 (10-7).

For Ritzman Courts, Chelse Preeg of The Dunes and Jim Harris defeated Jon Call of Quail Creek and Kevin Dwyer, 7-5, 6-1; while Kevin Swank of Stonebridge and Julianna Garcia bested Bryan Twente and former women’s pro tour standout JoAnne Russell, both of Grey Oaks, 6-2, 6-7 (10-8).

Huerta was pleased that his club was a pro league site for the third straight year. “All of our members are excited about this every year, not just tennis players. In addition, it’s a great way to showcase the club and its features and amenities to the public after recent major renovations.”

Eber feels the league benefits participants in many ways. “It gives them a chance to compete in a fun team atmosphere, allows them to promote themselves for their members who can come out to watch them play and it also gives the pros a chance to get together during a busy time of the year and share ideas they can use at their clubs.”

He added that the number of matches per outing was upped from three to four last year along with the addition of a men’s 50-plus position, that was altered this year to a number-three men’s position.

The event marked the third time Baldwin and Keegan paired up in league play.

“It’s a pleasure to play with Tim, strategizing and boosting each other up, and going up against other pros,” said Baldwin afterward. “We teach recreational players to be aggressive in doubles, try to get to the net as much as possible, so it’s fun to do it ourselves against other pros.”

The final two regular season matches will be at Quail Creek this Wednesday and Pelican Marsh on March 4. Playoffs will be held at Grey Oaks Country Club and Hideaway Beach on March 18 and 25, respectively.

Beyond the Gates:

The 17th annual Minnesota Twins Celebrity Classic will tee off on Feb. 26 at Fiddlesticks Country Club, Fort Myers. The 22nd annual Red Sox Children’s Hospital Celebrity Golf Classic will be at the Forest Country Club, Fort Myers, Feb. 27.