Tampa Tennis Blog: Frenchy’s Raises $50K for Big Brothers/Sisters; More

Frenchy’s Raises Funds, Crowns Champs

Frenchy’s 5.0 champs Gabriella Bongiovanni & Rocia Vitalie

More than 230 players participated in the ever-popular 24th Annual Frenchy’s Gumbo Tennis Classic at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater.

Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles teams competed in the three-day contest battling for the tournament’s coveted trophy, six-inch square ceramic tiles. In the end, not only were champions named in five men’s divisions, four women’s and four mixed, but also more than $50,000 was raised to benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

“The funds raised will help our agency recruit and match more at-risk children with adult mentors,” said Dawn Kuhn, director of development for BBBS. “Our mentoring programs lead to children building greater self-confidence, achieving academic success and, ultimately, instilling better decision-making skills.”

This year’s tournament also included open singles for both men and women. Lya Kushnirovich won the women’s title and E.J. Sanford the men’s.

For more results, visit www.bbbstampabay.org.

Team Tennis Junior League Completes 12th Season

14-Under Total Tennis champions

The Team Tennis Junior League recently completed its 12th season in Pinellas County and included more than 20 teams representing seven clubs. In all, about 100 players participated.

Seminole Lake Country Club hosted the playoffs in four divisions. Team winners were spread among four clubs and included Total Tennis Center’s 14-Under team, Seminole Mellow Yellow 12-Under, Seminole Lemon Lime 12-Under Mixed and Belleair Slammers 10-Under.

Vinoy Names 2016 Club Champs

The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort and Golf Club determined its singles champions for 2016 in five men’s divisions and one women’s.

Leading the victors in men’s play was Jeff Winkler in the open division, followed by Ryan Jordan in 4.5, Mike Lenhart 4.0, Ben Schick 3.5 and Tim Van Solkema 3.0. Keri Burguieres captured the women’s 3.0 title.

It was the 15th singles club championship for Winkler, who won the inaugural title in 1993. One of his best wins, Winkler said, was in 2009 when he defeated former ATP touring professional Larry Scott in a three-set battle!

Winkler has also earned much success in national tournament play and has collected 14 USTA balls – one gold, six silver and seven bronze competing in singles and doubles.

Most recently, Winkler collected a bronze ball in the USTA National Clay Court Championships in 60-and-over doubles with Kenny House of North Carolina.