SPOTTED AT THE U.S. OPEN
   Among the 700,000-plus tennis fans at the U.S. Open were Treasure Bay tennis director Phil Girardi, Treasure Bay parent-volunteer Keith Walters, Suncoast Tennis Foundation executive director Judy Foster and her husband Nic, Bardmoor tennis director Maria Cercone and her husband Barry and Nancy Morgan.
   Phil and I serve on the USTA National Junior Team Tennis Committee, Judy on Advocacy and Maria Junior Competition.
   Maria and Barry's daughter Alexandra competed in the U.S. Open Junior Championships, her fourth Grand Slam junior event of the year. Alexandra lost her first-round singles match, but she and her doubles partner Noel Scott of Maryland won their first match in the main draw.
   In addition to attending the USTA semi-annual meeting and watching some exciting tennis, there were opportunities to meet some of the pro players, like 17-year Melanie Oudin and even a few celebrities, like Nicole Kidman.
Nicole Kidman
Judy Foster & Melanie Oudin
Nancy and Nic at the USTA Volunteer Dinner with other Florida friends
Speaking of Melanie Oudin, who knew the 16-year old who played to the semifinal round in Clearwater's 2008 USTA $25,000 USTA Pro Circuit (Sheriff Jim Coats Clearwater Open), would impress all of us with her showing at the Open?!

Another who knew: Roger Federer's wife Mirka Vavrinec of Slovakia played professionally from 1998-2002 and won the $25,000 Clearwater event in 1999. Her highest ranking was No. 76 in 2001.

Mirka Vavrinec
SPECIAL AWARDS
   Shipwatch Tennis Club resident Peachy Kellmeyer, senior vice-president of tour operations for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, received the USTA's Service Bowl award in recognition of her years of experience and contributions to tennis as a player, coach and pioneer in women's sports. As an 11-year old, Peachy won the Orange Bowl girls 13 title, was the first female to compete on a men's Division I team (at Miami) and competed at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Since 1973, she has been with the WTA and seen the number of players increase from 90 to 2,000.
Peachy Kellmeyer
ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
   Next month, Jose Campos celebrates his first year as tennis director at Countryside Country Club.
   Tennis success in high school and college led to a stint on the satellite tour before settling into a 20-plus year teaching career. Jose grew up in Liberia, West Africa, and joined his dad and older sister daily after school to learn tennis, at first on the wall at a small club in Liberia. His skills developed through his teenage years and when his father resigned his position as an accountant for a mining company in Liberia to move his family back to his homeland Spain, a decision needed to be made about Jose's tennis and future.
   It was determined the best course for Jose was to attend high school and train at the John Newcombe Tennis Academy in New Braunfels, Texas. After high school graduation in 1986, Jose looked at several colleges before he settled at the University of South Florida.
   Jose's college playing resume included a top-10 doubles ranking among Division 1 competitors and a No. 21 singles ranking. Two years of playing doubles with Mark Keil resulted in both of them chosen All-Americans. After graduation, Jose competed on the satellite tour for a year before he realized that it took not only skill but financial support and sponsors to sustain a life on the tour.
   It was then that Jose began a 13-year career at Cheval Country Club before accepting the tennis directorship at Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club. He had been at the private club five years when the opportunity at Countryside surfaced.
Jose Campos
WHERE'S JIMMY BROWN?
   Former professional Jimmy Brown of Largo, who was a head pro at Saddlebrook Resort 11 years, is now an assistant director at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas. Jimmy was ranked as high as No. 42 in the world. This year, his son Tyler, a high school senior, was named Class 5A Boys Player of the Year.
STATEWIDE TENNIS FUNDRAISERS
   By the end of August, over 1,400 Play Tennis license plates had been purchased to help support the USTA Florida Section Foundation, which in turn supports community tennis across the state. Almost 230 plates were purchased in August, compared to 194 in July.
   Take your current tag to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to purchase the specialty plate. At least 90% of the proceeds go to the foundation.
   Another fundraiser the foundation is supporting is a raffle drawing with the winner receiving 2 tickets to the 2010 U.S. Open, airfare for two, two nights' hotel accommodations. Second-place receives two courtside tickets to the 2010 Open and third is a two-night stay at the Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood, FL and a round of golf. Raffle tickets cost $20 each. The drawing is Dec. 5 at the USTA Florida Section's annual meeting on Clearwater Beach. You need not be present to win.
   To enter, contact Sherry Beckman, beckman10s@yahoo.com.