As 2009 closes its doors, this month's feature highlights the year's club champions. Seven private clubs in Pinellas currently host club championships for their singles, doubles and mixed doubles members.
   Maggie Reilly hadn't entered East Lake Woodlands' club championships until this year, and ended up winning both the 3.0 singles and women's doubles with Anna Marie Jara. After winning her second title, Maggie had knee surgery that is now keeping her off the court temporarily, but that doesn't dampen her enthusiasm for tennis.
   "It was fun and exciting to win, especially since I hadn't competed before in the club events," said Maggie. "I try to run everything down in singles and in doubles, Anna Marie has a great lob game. My rating just went up, so now I'll be in the 3.5. That'll be a challenge."
Maggie (far right) celebrating with Kathy Hollick, Leslie Vann and Anna Marie Jara
   Joining Maggie as East Lake's 2009 singles champions were Mary Morrison (women's 3.5), Karen Killen (4.0), Jane Robinson (4.5), Tom Mulligan (men's 3.0), Tom Dempster (3.5), Jonathan Edwards (4.0) and Jason Horwitz (4.5).
Mixed doubles champions include Jane Robinson and Mark Taylor in 4.5, Rena Khawam and Pete Katsarelis 4.0, Suzanne Pedone and Louis Ferry 3.5 and Dori and Will Hazama 3.0.
   Nancy Boyce and Lisa Durkin claimed the women's 4.0 doubles title at East Lake and were joined by Wendy Sender and Kathleen Annichiarico in 3.5 and Maggie and Anna Marie 3.0.
   Craig Hajdich paired with Gary Leigh to win the men's 4.5-and-open title, Charlie Abell teamed with Jim Curran for the 4.0, Skip Parker and Jerry Rhodes won the 3.5 and Jim Lynch and partner Richard Sypher the 3.0.
   Chip Frey played a lot of racquetball while living in Wisconsin, but since becoming a member of Feather Sound Country Club in 1996, his sport has been tennis. In previous years, Chip has won singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles. This year, he teamed with Bill Baxter to claim the A doubles and reached the mixed final with Lara Cavanaugh against Marc Mazo and Grace Winter.
   "Bill and I won last year, too, and play some USTA league together," said Chip. "There are great people here at Feather Sound to play in singles, doubles and mixed. We travel together, eat and party as a group. After I went to the 3.0 nationals with the team in 2000, I've played quite a bit. The camaraderie and socializing are great."
   Other singles winners at Feather Sound were Elaine DiLoreto in the B division, Lori Whitman C, Matt Smith men's A, Kevin Cavanaugh B and Tom Shanahan C.
   Pat Augustine and Bob Hicks won the men's B title, Bruce Ford and John Tucker the C, Anne Flynn and Helen Friedman women's A, Deb Sandman and Barbara Sealund B and Lyndi Gordon and Lisa Swain C.
   Joining Grace and Marc as mixed doubles winners were Lori Clarke and Pat Augustine in B and Cecelia and Bruce Ford in C.
   17-year Edward Corty is the two-time winner of the Vinoy's men's open championship and is joined by Brian Cesare in 4.0, Soren Vestergaard 3.5 and Kevin Fantauzzo 3.0. The St. Petersburg High School junior beat Jeff Winkler in a three-set open final.
   "Jeff is a really strong player and very competitive," said Edward. "We were both pretty tired by the end of the match. I tried to stay in the point and be patient until I got the shot I wanted."
   Women's champions at the Vinoy include Kathleen Stein in 4.0 and Ashley Fox in 3.0.

   It was the first time Lynne Norring played in the Shipwatch Tennis Club championships and only the second year they were held. Lynne won the women's doubles with Dee Woods and was runner-up in mixed with partner John Leep.
   "John and I had played some USTA mixed doubles and when he suggested we play in the club championships, I was ready and happy to compete," said Lynne. "I think our second year had more players and it was fun. Dee is an exceptionally strong doubles player, never plays the baseline and is really good at the net."
Winners Dee and Lynne with runners-up Mickie Gelestor and Mary Jane Evertz
   Tim Khale and John Leep won the men's doubles and Dee teamed with Harry Erb to claim the mixed championship.
Runners-up Wendell Walker, Harley Harris, tennis director Kevin Manning, winners Tim Khale, John Leep
Runners-up John Leep, Lynne Norring, Kevin Manning, winners Dee Woods, Harry Erb
   This year's Innsbrook Resort and Golf Club's championships were special for Dee Dolson when she beat Ria Graham for the singles title, then teamed with Kay Clark to beat Ria and Betsy Wunderlich in 4.0 doubles.
   "I've never beaten Ria before, and certainly not in singles," said Dee, "so this was extra-special for me. I won the first set 6-0 and was up 3-0 when she changed her game that threw me for a while. I just concentrated and tried to play my game, hitting with pace and trying to structure points. I believe playing the Ultimate Tennis League really helped me in our club championships."  
Dee and Ria
   Joining Dee in singles wins were Joan Johnson in women's 3.5, Rich Babbitt men's 3.5 and Shon Craig 4.0.
Shon also won the mixed doubles with Betsy and the men's with Dave Cogan.
Shon
   Rich Babbitt teamed with Kelly Albers to claim the 3.5 mixed and with Malcolm Sliver for the men's 3.5. Maureen Sternberg and Kay Fitzpatrick won the women's 3.5.
Champions Rich Babbitt and Kelly Albers; runners-up Lori Brunel and Malcolm Slive
   Dual membership for Shon Craig allowed him to collect a second set of club titles, this time at Countryside Country Club, where he claimed the mixed 8.0 with Therese Gardner. He and Ken Emery were runnersup in the 4.0 doubles.
   Collecting singles club championships at Countryside were Debbie Hobbs in women's 4.0, Kathy Pisciotta 3.5, Joe price in men's 3.0, Jerry walker 3.5, Dr. Rob Hamil 4.0 and Matt Lazinski open.
   The mother-daughter team of Liz and Jessie Schroeder beat the women's doubles' competition at the St. Petersburg Country Club.
   "This was Jesse's and my first time to play a tournament together, even though I've been teaching her since she was a little girl," said Liz. "If this is the last thing I win, that's OK, because this experience was so memorable.
   "I was totally absorbed in tennis growing up and it is has been a lifetime sport for me. I want it to be so for Jesse. I've loved the sport for my lifetime and now she does, too. Maybe one day she'll pass that love on to her own daughter."
   Fifteen-year old Jesse defends the No. 1 spot for Osceola High School. 
Liz and daughter Jesse
   Corey Carver and Troy Holland won SPCC's men's doubles and Suzanne and Jorge Alvarez the mixed.

Finalists Fred Guerrier and Ernie Frierson; winners Corey and Troy
Champions Jorge and Suzanne with runnersup Virginia Ward and Fred Guerrier
   Singles winners were Felicia Fortosis and Eric Diner.
Tennis director Sam Vuille and Felicia
Runnerup Fred and champion Eric
Congratulations to the 2009 club champions!