Tennis column: Naples Pro League set for return

The winds of change have swirled through the Naples Pro League in the past, signaling upgrades that all marked increased growth for the organization. Now there is yet another injection of enthusiasm and energy that should transform the endeavor yet again.

Partnering with Yamron Jewelers of Naples, the Naples Pro League soon returns for 2016-17 season with a new championship schedule and a new management team.

Tyler Manring of REMAX Realtors, Jose Pastrello (Director of Tennis at Collier's Reserve Country Club) and Roddy Cantey (owner of ProAm Tennis) have joined forces to manage the league and all three are optimistic about the direction the league is taking.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the off-season,” said Manring. “We’re taking this season to position the league for growth. Having Yamron Jewelers as a marketing partner is a great opportunity for the Naples Pro League. Given the premium venues and incredible amount of talent featured in the league, we’re confident we can provide Yamron with the exposure and visibility suited to their quality and level of service.”

Yamron officials are all-in.

“This is a great fit for us,” said Seth Fogelman, head of Yamron Jewelers marketing and communications. “The Naples Pro League puts us in front of an audience that is both active and style conscious. While many people may already know of Yamron’s quality and service, it’s important to us to participate and re-enforce our commitment to Naples and the surrounding area.”

Cantey's ProAm Tennis sponsors one of the four league teams along with Boston Retirement Advisors, Samotin Orthopaedics and Yamron Jewelers.

The Naples Pro League holds 12 professional doubles events throughout the Naples area, at premier venues such as Wyndemere Country Club, The Players Club & Spa, The Strand, Collier’s Reserve, Mediterra, Vineyards Country Club, Sanchez-Casal at Naples Bath and Tennis, Audubon Country Club, Quail Creek Country Club, Pelican Marsh, Grey Oaks Country Club and Longshore Lakes.

The Friday-night events are open to the public at no charge with most offering food and beverage service. The league format consists of four teams fielding eight players per team. Teams play each other three times throughout the season, with each
match consisting of four doubles showdowns.

Team standings are to be determined by sets won and individual standings determined by win/loss record. The final week of the schedule is reserved for team championships and a round-robin tournament with separate prize money.

The Naples Pro Leagues will kick off the 2016-17 Yamron Jeweler’s Championships at The Players Club at Lely Resort on Oct. 28.

Subsequent dates are locations are: Nov. 4 - Sanchez-Casal; Nov. 18 - The Strand; Dec. 2 - Quail Creek, Dec. 16 – Wyndemere; Jan. 6 - Longshore Lake; Jan. 20 – Collier’s Reserve; Feb. 3 – Audubon; Feb. 24 - The Vineyards; March 10 - Pelican Marsh; March 17 - Grey Oaks; March 31 – Mediterra.

The opening match each date will begin at 4 p.m. and the second match will follow immediately at about 5:30.

Pastrello also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season.

“The League not only offers a great opportunity for fans and tennis lovers to come out and enjoy the matches, it’s a perfect opportunity for the local pros to show their talent and compete against some of the best players in Southwest Florida,” Pastrello said. “The level of competition is incredibly challenging and the camaraderie is a great example of what our sport is all about. I’m anticipating an extremely challenging season.”

Locals in Lexington: While former Barron Collier High star Bjorn Fratangelo was the No. 5 seed in singles, former Lely High tennis star Jesse Witten returned to the site where he earned All-American honors at the University of Kentucky. Fratangelo and Witten competed in the Kentucky Bank Championships at UK’s Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center. It is a USTA Pro Circuit event with an overall purse of $50,000.

Earlier this week, Witten gained entry into the main draw through qualifying, grabbing one of four spots up for grabs with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over Australia’s Marinko Matosevic.

In main-draw action on Tuesday, Witten lost to American Daniel Nguyen on the main stadium court, 6-3, 6-1. Witten played in the main draw doubles with fellow American Beck Pennington as wild-card entries. They fell to Sekou Bangoura of the U.S. and Jose Statum of New Zealand 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Fratangelo, meanwhile, bowed to Australian Andrew Whittington in his first-rounder Wednesday, 6-3, 6-2.

Adult summer tourney looms: The Quail Creek Country Club will host the 2016 USTA Ultimate Tennis singles summer championships on Saturday, Aug. 20. Play will begin at 9 a.m. and will be in the following divisions: Men's 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 50-plus 3.5, Women's 3.0, 3.5, 4.0
and 50-plus 3.0.

For more information, call 239-597-9725 .

 Other activities: A rundown of other activities and events follows:
■ Curly Davis summer activities: at the Country Club of Naples includes the “Stroke of the Week sessions Tuesdays, Wednedays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 2 p.m.; no sign-up is required. Cost: $10 per person
contact Davis at 239-450-7147 .  
■ Summer programs at Vanderbilt: doubles strokes and strategies designed to improve movement and strategy; Men's High Performance Doubles clinics Wednesdays at 9 a.m.,  Ladies on Thursdays and Saturdays at 9, Open round-robins for men on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:30, ladies round-robins Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30; call 239-348-1725 or email Ronnieh@vccnaples.com.
■ Summer membership: at the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club’s Mary C. Watkins Tennis Center; now through Sept. 30;  cost: $250; also, weekly mixed doubles round-robins Fridays from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Levels are 3.0 and 3.5; call 239-435-4351 .
■ Quail Creek summer round robins -- 3.5 Women Mondays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.; 4.0 Women Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.; 3.0 Women - Mondays and Fridays at 9:30; Men (all levels) - Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.; Mixed (all levels) - Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.; Call 239-597-9725 or email jlogan@quailcreekcc.com .
■ Cardio tennis: Cardio Tennis classes Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. at Cambier Park; $15 for members and $20 for non-members; Call 213-3060.
■ Round-robin Mixed doubles: Tuesdays 8 a.m. at Golden Gate Community Park on Santa Barbara Blvd.; Call 239-300-7718 .
■ Kamen clinics: Naples High boys tennis coach Tony Kamen’s clinics from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; geared toward middle school and high school students and include conditioning, drills, strategy, and match play. Call 272-9223.
■ Junior Development Tennis: Sessions held at Arthur Allen Tennis Center in downtown Naples at Cambier Park. Classes run Monday through Thursday. Pee-Wees 3:15-4 p.m. for ages 4-6; Futures 4-5 p.m. for ages 6-8; Tournament 4-5:30 p.m. for ages 7-16; Call 213-3060.
■ Hammock Bay Tennis Programs:  Offering private lessons and clinics, Live Ball Drill Session on Tuesdays, Morning Tennis Drill and Round Robin on Wednesdays and “Just for Starters” Clinics on Thursdays. Call 465-2922.
■ Junior/high school lessons: Given by Ron St. John, USPTA 1 Pro; all levels but also those interested in improving to play at the high school level; Call 289-1963.
■ Consistent Tennis Wins Academy: Private and group lessons, cardio tennis, team practice, racquet stringing, tennis fitness and weight loss training and hitting sessions for all levels. Call Tom Avery at 273-9204..
■ Quail Creek Junior Tennis: Wednesdays: Tiny Tots from 4-4:30 at $7; Beginners from 4:30-5 at $7; Thursdays: Intermediate and Advanced from 4:30-5:30 at $15; Saturdays: Intermediate and Advanced from 10:30-11:30 at $15 ($30 if only one participant). Clinic, rallyball fitness, and match play to be included Call 597-9725.
■ Pelican Bay Community Park events: Most levels of round-robins for men and women available each week; Adult and junior clinics held daily; call 598-3025.
■ Quail West Tennis programs: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Events include 3.0-3.5 ladies round-robin from 9 to 11 and 3.5-4.0 men’s round-robin from 9 to 11; 3.5-4.0 ladies doubles clinics on Wednesdays from 9 to 11; Also: Wednesday clinics for men and women from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Also: “3 students and the Pro” on Mondays; Call 592-1139.
■ Weekly mixed doubles round-robin: Fridays at Pelican Bay Community Park ; Call 598-3025.
■ Men’s, women’s and mixed round-robins: Each day of the week at Pelican Bay Community Park; Call 598-3025.
■ Adult clinics: For all levels at Pelican Bay Community Park; Call 598-3025.
■ Marco Island Racquet Center: Round-robins, league play, USTA competitive teams, Stroke of the Week clinics, beginners lessons, junior programs and racquetball challenges; Call 394-5454.
■ Ladies Day Round Robin, Men’s Day Round Robin, Saturday Mixed Round Robin: At Cambier Park, call 213-3060; Tuesdays at 11 a.m. women of all levels welcome to participate; Thursdays at 11 a.m. men of all levels welcome to participate; Saturday mornings are “Mixed Troubles” round-robin at 9:30.
■ Bridgewater Bay Tennis Club: Weekly activities include: Tuesdays beginner/intermediate clinic 5 p.m., Thursday mixed round robin 6 p.m.; Saturdays intermediate clinic 9:30 a.m.; Call 450-1000.
■ Saturday Mixed Doubles Round Robin: At Cambier Park Tennis Center at 10:45 a.m.; Call 213-3060.
■ Pelican Bay Community Park tennis facility: 764 Vanderbilt Beach Road; 8 lighted Har-Tru courts; Call 598-3025.