Monday midnight (3rd) deadline to add players to USTA League Super Senior rosters

To qualify to play in Super Senior States, a player must play at least one regular-season match in the appropriate division.

See listing below for players still seeking teams and vice versa. Listing will end Monday.

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It's Banana Open Weekend:

     Players From Throughout Southeast Head Into Sunday Finals at 26th Annual Challenge at Palmetto Dunes

        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Some 250 champions and finalists from local tournaments throughout the Southeast are competing this weekend in the 26th annual Banana Open Challenge, with matches that began at high noon Friday at Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center. Matches will run the full range of rating division men's and women's singles and doubles and mixed doubles. Admission is free to spectators.

    With 48 players entered from Hilton Head Island and 11 from Coastal Carolina territory, matches will continue through Sunday afternoon finals. Banana champions and wildcards participating include 14 Virginia and 10 Maryland. Georgia has 104 players from several local Banana Open tournaments in the draws.

    Match results will be posted and updated on TENNIS E-News as received throughout the weekend.        

    Here are Friday scores:

Men's Open Singles -- Quarterfinals
Sean Sumner, Asheville, NC d. Tyler Daugherty, Savannah, GA 6-0; 6-0
Ivor Savage, Savannah, GA d. Bob Cooke, HHI 6-2; 6-1

Men's Open Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Sean Sumner, Asheville, NC - Paul Webb, Asheville, NC d. Scott Clements, HHI - Mike Uchno, HHI 7-5; 6-1
Pat Child, HHI - Matt Wuller, HHI d. Tyler Daugherty, Savannah, GA - Ivor Savage, Savannah, GA 3-6; 6-3; 10-8

Men's 3.0 Singles -- Round of 16
Mark Frisch, Annandale, VA d. John O'Connell, Savannah, GA 2-6; 7-6; 11-9
Tyler Long, Kathleen, GA d. Cliff Steedley, Bluffton, SC 6-4; 6-2
James Moss, Perry, GA d. Michael Gonzalez, HHI 6-2; 6-4
Anthony Kandel, HHI d. Cody Broome, Valdosta, GA 6-0; 6-0
Jered Reilly, Centerville, GA d. Joseph Curcio, Bluffton, SC 6-4; 6-4
Yalier Fuster, Chester, VA d. Bruce Meglino, HHI, SC 6-0; 6-0
Jaime Larry, Woodbridge, VA d. George Camp, HHI, SC 6-3; 3-6; 10-7

Men's 3.0 Doubles -- Quarterfinals
Dennis Ittenbach, HHI, SC - Jimmy Woodall, HHI, SC d. James Moss, Perry, GA - William Sanders, Macon, GA 6-4; 6-2
George Camp, HHI, SC - Paul Langan, HHI, SC d. Andrew Brooks, Byron, GA - Jered Reilly, Centerville, GA 6-2; 6-7; 10-4

Men's 3.5 Singles -- Round of 16
Glenn Miller, Centerville, GA d. Robert Smith, Upper Marlboro, MD Def (ns)
Brian Mogelefsky, Charlotte, NC d. Mark White, HHI, SC 6-0; 7-6(4)
Scott Carson, Asheville, NC d. Leroy Heath, St. Mary's, GA 6-0; 6-3
David Ashburner, Bluffton, SC d. Keith Chitwood, Charlotte, NC 6-3; 6-2
Jim Williams, Villa Rica, GA d. Tom Fulton, Jacksonville, FL 6-0; 6-7(3); 10-5
Curtis Battistelli, Hilton Head, SC d. Joseph Flynn, Edgewater, MD 6-3; 6-4
Jeff Kress, Carrollton, GA d. Richard Kerr, Hilton Head, SC 6-3; 6-4

Men's 3.5 Doubles -- Round of 16
Jeff Kress, Carrollton, GA - Jim Williams, Villa Rica, GA d. Don Schmidt, HHI, SC - Bill Wiebe, Dacula, GA 6-2; 4-6; 10-7
Scott Carson, Asheville, NC - Brian Nelson, Asheville, NC d. Mitch Marklin, Savannah, GA - Hugh Papy, Savannah, GA 6-1; 6-2

Men's 4.0 Singles -- Round of 16
Raymond Zenisek, Jacksonville, FL d. Floyd Pettaway, Virginia Beach, VA 6-2; 1-6; 10-2
James Head, Charlotte, NC d. Scott Douglas, Annapolis, MD Def (ns)
Kevin Asbell, Ridgeland, SC d. Robert Washington, Duluth, GA 6-3;4-6; 10-7
Bill Wiebe, Dacula, GA d. Randy Dean, Macon, GA 6-1; 2-1 Ret (inj)
Victor Johnson, Asheville, NC d. Henry Morales, HHI, SC 7-5; 6-4
Rob Lascola, North Augusta, GA d. Matthew Hall, Savannah, GA Wo (inj)

Men's 4.0 Doubles -- Round of 16
Todd Human, Columbus, GA - Stephen Smith, Midland, GA d. Michael Aschkenas, Virginia Beach, VA - John Demosthenes, Virginia Beach, VA 7-6; 6-0
James Brooks, Byron, GA - Robby Kerr, Macon, GA d. Greg Ratledge, Charlotte, NC - Harold Stephens, HHI, SC 4-6; 6-3; 10-8
Eli Knight, Atlanta, GA - Robert Washington, Duluth, GA d. Mathew Botts, Powder Springs, GA - Tom Larkin, HHI, SC 6-4; 6-0
Geoffrey Southwell, Huntersville, NC - Zach Stroupe, Gastonia, NC d. Bob Connell, Fort Valley, GA - Mickey Wright, Macon, GA 6-0; 6-3
Tony Kratz, Charlotte, NC - Marc Parker, Charlotte, NC d. Randy Dean, Macon, GA - Floyd Pettaway, Virginia Beach, VA 6-2; 6-2

Men's 4.5 Singles -- Round of 16
Thomas (TC) Lauer, Richmond Hill, GA d. Doug Bracken, HHI, SC 6-3; 4-6; 10-3
John Brittis, Bluffton, SC d. Blair Mitchell, Macon, GA 6-2; 6-4
Michael Brown, Greenville, SC d. Steve Thiel, Midland, GA 7-6(4); 6-0
James Barlow, Griffin, GA d. Jeff Kicklighter, Brunswick, GA 6-2; 3-0 Ret (inj)
Brandon Jones, Pisgah Forest, NC d. Tim Bergl, Kathleen, GA 6-1; 7-6
George Alexander, Savannah, GA d. Craig Carter, Asheville, NC 6-1; 6-4
Darren Broome, Macon, GA d. Chris Lowry, Savannah, GA 6-2; 6-2

Mixed 3.0 Doubles -- Round of 16
Anne Kandel, HHI, SC - Anthony Kandel, HHI, SC d. Francisco Lopez, Macon, GA - Julie Steele, Macon, GA 6-1; 6-1
Jimmy Woodall, HHI, SC/Charlene Woodall,  d. Broome, GA/Stoller, GA 6-4, 6-4

Mixed 3.5 Doubles -- Round of 32
Rachel Horn, Asheville, NC - Roel Tan, Fletcher, NC d. Deborah Vazquez, Pine Mountain, GA - Robert Vazquez, Pine Mountain, GA 6-2; 6-0

Mixed 4.0 Doubles -- Round of 32
Rob Lascola, North Augusta, GA - Ekaterina Richardson, Augusta, GA d. Donna Bierschenk, Bluffton, SC - Tom Cambron, Bluffton, SC 6-2; 3-6; 11-9
Brad Mettee, Mills River, NC/Mindy Sheppard, Mills River NC d. Broome/Pam Spencer, Bonaire, GA 6-1, 6-3

Mixed 4.5 Doubles -- Round of 16
Lola Bradshaw, Manning, SC - Michael Brown, Greenville, SC d. Chris Lowry, Savannah, GA - Becki Sasser, Savannah, GA 6-1; 6-3
Chantay Foley, Canton, GA - Paul Marino, Canton, GA d. Lee Bracken, HHI, SC - Christine Clark, HHI, SC 6-4; 4-6; 10-7
Rob Ellison, HHI, SC - Stephanie Gentemann, HHI, SC d. Joanna Jones, Macon, GA - Blair Mitchell, Macon, GA 6-3; 6-2
Greg Myers, Mooresville, NC - Rikki Myers, Mooresville, NC d. McCuen Livingston, Manning, SC - Rick Stoller, Columbus, GA 6-2; 7-5

Women's 2.5 Doubles -- Round Robin 1
Jodi Lloveras, Evans, GA - Philippa Williams, Waynesboro, GA d. Ann Ittenbach, HHI, SC - Billie Jones, HHI, SC 6-4; 6-2

Women's 3.0 Doubles -- Quarterfinals
Michelle Human, Columbus, GA - Terri Smith, Midland, GA d. Hilary Ellwood, Lizella, GA - Ebla Ibrahim, Silver Spring, MD 7-6(5); 4-6; 12-10
Amy Alexander, Columbus, GA - Vivi Stoller, Columbus, GA d. Laura Levine, HHI, SC - Maria Somers, Bonaire, GA 6-3; 6-2

Women's 3.5 Doubles -- Round of 16
Charlene Collier, Beltsville, MD - Felicia Harrison, Forest Heights, MD d. Bonnie Hackworth, HHI, SC - Linda Long, HHI, SC 6-0; 6-2
Katherine Brock - Rebecca Brooks, Byron, GA d. Fran DuPerry, Centerville, GA - Sara Mason, Fort Valley, GA 7-6(4); 7-6(4)
Rachel Horn, Asheville, NC - Heli Tiainen, Mills River, NC d. Sonya Martin, Aiken, GA - Tanya Perkins-Brown, Athens, GA 6-0; 6-1
Stacey Schulhofer, Waynesville, NC - Donna Weld, Horseshoe, NC d. Velma Albert, Warner Robins, GA - Darienne Shuler, Macon, GA 6-0; 6-1
Carol Karlson, Juliette, GA - Nancy Williams, Macon, GA d. Katy Eldridge, Centreville, VA - Beth Wilt, Falls Church, VA 6-1; 6-2

Women's 4.0 Doubles -- Round of 16
Stephanie da Silva, Midland, GA - Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, Columbus, GA d. Amy Abernathy, HHI, SC - Karen Benedict, Bluffton, SC 6-2; 6-3
Michele Archibald, Annapolis, MD - Donna O'Malley, Annapolis, MD d. Kathy Jenson, HHI, SC - Lauren Martel, HHI, SC 3-6; 7-5; 10-5
Harriet Connolly, Macon, GA - Christine Epps, Macon, GA d. Pam Bautista, HHI, SC - Sue Sturm, HHI, SC 6-1; 6-4
Anne Lofye, HHI, SC - Gary Sabbatino, HHI, SC d. Trish Bowman, Macon, GA - Deborah Chambers, Byron, GA 1-6; 6-2; 10-4
Margaret Harrison, Black Mountain, NC - Michaellyn Pasztor, Black Mountain, NC d. Monique Belli, Pooler, GA - Susan Wayda, Pooler, GA 6-1; 6-4
Lynn McElveen, Asheville, NC - Cheryl Windham, Davis Station, SC d. Donna Bierschenk, Bluffton, SC - Nancy Thomas, Bluffton, SC 6-2; 6-1
Nelly Anyona, Acworth, GA/Iza Shady, HHI, SC d. Patricia Meservey, Macon, GA/Angie Miller, Warner Robins, GA 6-2, 4-6, 10-8

Women's 4.5 Doubles -- Round of 16
Lola Bradshaw, Manning, SC - McCuen Livingston, Manning, SC d. Patricia Barlow, Griffin, GA - Angie Miller, Warner Robins, GA 6-4; 7-6(2)
Meredith Cutchin, Virginia Beach, VA - Sarah Guillou, Mclean, VA d. Trish Bowman, Macon, GA - Deborah Chambers, Byron, GA 6-0; 6-3
Jennifer Alexander, Charlotte, NC - Rikki Myers, Mooresville, NC d. Joanna Jones, Macon, GA - Jennifer Kolman, Macon, GA 6-2; 6-3

Women's 2.5 Singles -- Round Robin 1
Allison Jones, Asheville, NC d. Terri Smith, Midland, GA 7-5; 7-5

Women's 3.0 Singles -- Round of 16
Stacia Sparks, Hendersonville, NC d. Amy Alexander, Columbus, GA 6-0; 6-0

Women's 3.5 Singles -- Round of 16
Marie Sladky, Asheville, NC d. Ekaterina Richardson, Augusta, GA 6-1; 6-3

Women's 4.0 Singles -- Round of 16
Deborah Greenside, Silver Spring, MD d. Nicole Dewitt, Richmond Hill, GA 3-6; 7-6(4); 10-4
Susan Hovatter, Virginia Beach, VA d. Renee Head, Charlotte, NC 6-3; 6-1
Nelly Anyona, Acworth, GA d. Nancy Thomas, Bluffton, SC 5-7; 6-2; 13-11

Women's 4.5 Singles -- Quarterfinals
Sarah Guillou, Mclean, VA d. Alyssa Dooley, Columbia, MD 6-3; 6-2
Meredith Cutchin, Virginia Beach, VA d. Jennifer Alexander, Charlotte, NC 6-3; 6-1
Tamara Williams, Mitchellville, MD d. Jennifer Kolman, Macon, GA 7-6; 7-5

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Replacing Michael O'Keefe

     Sutcliffe To Take Over as South Beach Racquet Club Director of Tennis

        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Mike Sutcliffe will be joining South Beach Racquet Club on Saturday (8^th) as the new director of tennis. He has been a teaching pro at several Hilton Head Island member-only and public/member clubs. He will be replacing Michael O'Keefe, for five years SBRC director of tennis and now headed to a similar post at the Park City Municipal Area Recreation Center in Utah.

    Originally from Charlotte NC, Sutcliffe moved to Hilton Head Island as a North Carolina State sophomore to train fulltime at Van Der Meer Tennis University where O'Keefe was his coach. He rose to #1 in singles and doubles in NC State before transferring to the College of Charleston where he finished his collegiate play. During his junior year at the College of Charleston, he was part of the tennis team that won the Southern Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament.

    Sutcliffe started teaching tennis at the age 19 at Kiawah Island under Roy Barth. He worked under Fritz Now, Andre Agassi's former coach, at the Charleston Tennis Academy where he also was a hitting partner for the Family Circle Cup. He moved back to Hilton Head Island to become the assistant head pro at Port Royal R.C. in 2005 and then moved to Wexford Plantation in 2008 to become the assistant head pro for three years.

    An outstanding player, Sutcliffe continues to compete in national and local events, and was one of the top players in the inaugural Hilton Head Tennis Pro League.

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Tuesdays at Port Royal

     Special Olympics Seeking Volunteers for an Hour a Week Working With Local S.O. Athletes

        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- The HHI Special Olympics folks are looking for a few tennis players who can volunteer for one hour a week helping train its athletes in on-court games and exercises. Sessions would be Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m.

    "You need to be able to throw a tennis ball, have a smile, like to make someone happy and enjoy a laugh," said Carol Myers of the local Special Olympics organization. Interested persons should contact Carol Myers 843-342-8840 or myerscarol@hotmail.com.

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USOpen Champ Sam Stosur First To Commit To Family Circle Cup in April 2012

Nine Original $1-Contract Women To Reunite for 40th Anniversary of Pro Status -- How Many of the "Original 9" Can YOU Name?

Scroll down to the Original 9 List to see who you missed.

Details on tournament and tickets: www.familycirclecup.com

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"Senior" Designation to Disappear

    USTA League Age Restructuring To Start in 2013: Adult 55s, 65s, 75s in Southern

        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- The breaking news came in a phoner Monday morning from South Carolina Super Senior Coordinator Bonnie Sue Duncan, reporting on decisions at Southern Section meetings over the weekend. The restructuring will significantly alter league formats as they now stand.

    Previously announced: USTA National will go to Adult 18 & Older, Adult 40 & Older and Adult 55 & Older, supplanting the current Adult 18s, Senior 50s and Super Senior 60s. The new National divisions leaves open the way open for a National 65s should sufficient numbers warrant. 

    The new Adult 55s, 65s, 75s -- forget the words "Senior" and "Super Senior" -- will continue as straight level divisions of 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 in Southern. However, the 2013 Southern Adult 65s will offer a 9.0 level. The 2013 National Adult 55s championships will continue the ongoing combo 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 format.   

    As of now, the 2013 South Carolina Adult 18s and 40s state championships will be in the Spring and the Adult 55s, 65s and 75s state championships will play in the late Fall. However, it will be a local decision as to when local leagues are played. That is, for example, Hilton Head Island and/or Coastal Carolina could decide to play the 65s local league in the Spring.

    "South Carolina has the largest Super Senior participation in Southern," Duncan said. "We are proud of our proud of our Seniors growth and expect the new format to increase the numbers."

    Stay tuned. There is much more detail to come, like when the local league seasons will be played, what results will count in ratings and what won't*, how the restructuring will effect local non-USTA Interclub leagues. (*"As of now, the 65s results will not generate ratings," SC Coordinator Duncan said.)   

NOTE: The USTA is divided into 17 sections nationally, with USTA Southern the largest. The 185,000+ USTA members living in Southern's  nine states account for approximately 25% of the total USTA membership.

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November through January

     If Summer Is Ending, It Must Be Planning Time for Senior Men's Interclub League.
        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- With Super Senior season up and running full bore, organization is under way for the Fall Senior Men's Interclub Leagues that will begin in mid-November. Coordinator Dick Sonberg has sent out the pre-registration call for captains and prospective captains on 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 levels.
    Because the league season continues through the end of January, players are eligible who will be age 50 by Dec. 31, 2012. There is no limit to the number of players on a roster.
    Sonberg has requested pre-registration to include (1) Name of team; (2) Club where home matches will be played; (3) Name of captain with email address and phone; (4) Name of assistant captain with email and phone; (5) Time home matches. Teams are encouraged to field four courts each match, although the first three will be the only ones to count in the standings.
    Send team entries to Sonberg at rtsiws@aol.com by Monday, Oct. 10.
 

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Sign Up Oct. 15-Nov. 15

      Beaufort County PTI/USTA Junior Team Tennis Registration Opens for Fall-Winter 2011-12 Season

        BLUFFTON SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Registration for the Junior Team Tennis Fall-Winter season will be from Oct. 15 – Nov. 15, Local League Coordinator and Bluffton JTT Coach Robert Brown has announced.  Teams from Georgia, Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island again will compete to represent the area in the State JTT Championships in July 2012 in Sumter.

    Teams are currently forming in 12 & Under, 14 & Under and 18 & Under Beginner and Intermediate Divisions which feature; boys and girls singles, doubles and mixed.  Generally, teams practice during the week and play a weekend match.  All registration, stats and scoring is done on line.  Coaches include Brown, David Reidmeyer, Patrick Mason, Tim Austin, Eric Wammock, and Jo Cahi.

    JTT play involves a $50 online team registration fee (after a coach has issued a team number) and a uniform shirt to purchase.  Fee includes practices and matches, balls, refreshments and a travel stipend for teams who advance to Sumter. More information can be obtained at www.sctennis.com or by calling Brown at 290-2833.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS: