Tennis Briefs(3): New USTA Fla. Board; More Events

USTA Florida Names New President, Board for 2015-16 Term

USTA Florida ushered in a new president and board of directors during the 65th USTA Florida Annual Meeting & Volunteer Celebration in late November at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.

The president’s gavel was accepted by long-time USTA Florida volunteer and former Vice President Nancy Horowitz of Pembroke Pines.

“It is an honor and very humbling to be the president of USTA Florida,” writes Horowitz in an upcoming President’s Message column to be published in the 2015 Jan./Feb. edition of TENNIS magazine which outlines her goals for her 2015-16 tenure. “We all thank past president Bob Pfaender for his contributions to making our section one of the best.”

The 2015-16 USTA Florida Board of Directors:

President — Nancy Horowitz, Pembroke Pines
President-Elect — Robert Hollis, Winter Haven
Vice President — Chuck Gill, Wellington
Vice President — Karen MacFarland, Tallahassee
Treasurer — Clark Higgs, Clearwater
Secretary — Terri Florio, Jacksonville Beach
Sectional Delegate, Immediate Past President — Bob Pfaender, Lake Mary

Directors at Large:
Susan Allshouse, Boynton Beach
Deb Anderson, Bradenton
Sherry Beckman, Palm Beach Gardens
BJ Bishop, Longboat Key
Lyn Bruner, Fort Myers
Christine Ducey, Orlando
Phil Girardi, St. Petersburg
Irene Tharin, Palm Harbor
Jo-Ann Zirpoli, Niceville

“USTA Florida is fortunate to have a group of individuals who love tennis and are willing to give their time to be members of our board,” says USTA Florida Executive Director Doug Booth. “Our new board will continue the work of previous boards that will ensure USTA Florida is a visionary and relevant association.”

Also voted on was the incoming 2015-16 USTA Florida Nominating Committee, responsible for interviewing candidates and compiling the slate of nominees for the USTA Florida Board of Directors, which are subject to confirmation by the section delegates.

The 2015-16 USTA Florida Nominating Committee:

Chair, Robert Hollis, Winter Haven
Bob Pfaender, Lake Mary
Adam Ross, Plantation
Mark Taylor, Safety Harbor
Jim Tierney, Boca Raton

For more information on USTA Florida volunteer committees or to become involved click here.

High School Team Tennis Challenge in Tampa Area in January

Coaches can get their teams ready, and players can prepare for the 2015 Florida high school tennis season by participating in the USTA Florida High School Team Tennis Challenge, to be held Jan. 31-Feb. 1, at the McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater, Fla.

The two-day round robin event, presented by Wilson Racquet Sports, WILL NOT affect high school eligibility. Students are advised to check high school regulations and consult with their school athletic director.

This is a recreational USTA Florida event and not a sanctioned FHSAA event, and players cannot wear school uniforms.

The cost for the event is $20 per player for USTA members, and $30 per player for non-USTA members.

As a fundraiser schools can earn cases of tennis balls by bringing multiple teams. Teams are gender specific and must be 4-6 players, with two lines of singles and two lines of doubles per match. Skill divisions will be intermediate and advanced.

The scoring format will be one 6-game set with a tiebreak at 5-5, and regular-ad scoring.

Orlando Ultimate Tennis Winter Flex League Sign-up

Ultimate Tennis flex leagues, presented by USTA Florida, will kickoff Orlando Winter Flex Leagues on Jan. 17-March 3 (five weeks) with men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

“USTA members can save big with $20 off the doubles fee by e-mailing me for the discount code,” says organizer Chelsea Underwood.

Deadline for registration is Jan. 9, 2015.

Flex leagues are specially designed to meet the demands of today’s busy lifestyle by providing competitive match play for those with limited playing time. Flex leagues match players of equal skill levels into local playing divisions using a convenient flexible match scheduling system. Seasons consist of 5-7 matches and top players in each division may continue playing for city championships in optional season-ending playoffs.

UltimateTennis.com also provides players with state-of-the-art online tools to efficiently manage their season. Players can review match results, scout opponents, follow friends, report scores, and access playoff draws all with the click of a mouse.

To register or for more information about leagues in your area go to www.UltimateTennis.com, or in the Orlando area e-mail cmaratta@alumni.flagler.edu.