Check out these upcoming events!
BEACH TENNIS
   Free Beach Tennis from noon to 4:00 p.m. Sat., Sept. 26 at Shackleton's Bar and Grill in St. Petersburg. Adults and juniors of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in a round robin format of beach tennis, sign up for featured clinics and meet the nation's No. 3 team Mike Edison and Brett Johnson.

   For more information, contact Mike, (727) 215-6095 or eddienut28@hotmail.com, or Motez Robinson, (727) 656-4837 or motez@playtennistampabayfl.com.
CCC TOURNEY
   The 2009 Clearwater Central Catholic High School Tennis Tournament is Oct. 2-4 at Royal Racquet Club and includes men's and women's doubles in 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 divisions and adult-child doubles in novice and competitive divisions. The registration deadline has been extended to Monday. Contact Donna at the club (799-3200), Cari (409-8964) or Kim (224-5185).
   The inaugural event last year raised $10,000. The second annual event again supports the Jimmy McFarland Scholarship Fund, which assists students attending CCC and enhances other school programs there. Jimmy, a rising senior at CCC, was severely injured in a car accident eight years ago that resulted in permanent disability.
   Jimmy's mother Valerie Schaefer eloquently describes how the contest came about and how her family, including Jimmy, feel about naming the fund in his honor.
   "Last April at the PADL luncheon, I was asked by Cari Reagin, who is a friend of mine, that some of the moms were talking about starting a tournament in Jimmy's honor to raise funds to help children who otherwise could not afford to go to CCC.  She asked me my feelings and, of course, I was very choked up and then honored that they would want to do this for other children and using Jimmy's name and story.
   Cari and other moms had children who were going to be freshmen in the fall and were all tennis players.  Knowing  our connection and passion with tennis and that Jimmy was a member of the tennis team that went to the state championships in the spring of 2001 with his partner CCC grad Haley Dodson, the tourney began to take shape.
   Most of the volunteers are moms of the children on the tennis team. They have been working endless hours making this tournament a success.
   When we were deciding on the divisions on the tournament we decided to add a twist and included the adult/child division. Because this is a fundraiser for a school, why not involve the children? There are very few adult/child tournaments in the area and one that was very well received.  We added a division for novice as well as the more advanced. 
   The Royal Racquet Club is also the home courts of the Marauder tennis team for the last 9 seasons. Jeff Singer, who is Jimmy's cousin, is the head coach of the team going into his 2nd year.
   The CCCHS was a very strong support system for me going through those horrible first years following Jimmy's accident. We still are connected with many of the students through facebook and also see and hear from many of Jimmy's friends.
     After 8 years, Jimmy is still improving and we as a family leave no stone left unturned when it comes to therapies or new medicine.  Without the support of my family and friends and countless prayers this would have been almost impossible to do alone.
   We are all  hopeful that Jimmy will continue to improve and recover. Jimmy is often at Royal Racquet watching tennis and cheering on his mom. We have great expectations that some day he will be back on the courts and ace his opponents with his big serve!"
Jimmy with his parents Jim McFarland and Valerie Schaefer
RALLY FOR THE CURE
   Countryside Country Club is one of four host sites of the 2nd Rally for the Cure Tennis Tournament Oct. 17. Women's doubles in 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 are available for a $50 fee if not a member of the Hillsborough Community Tennis Association and $40 for HCTA members. Contact Jose Campos at Countryside, 796-1136, for more information.
CHARITY TENNIS/SOCIAL EVENT
   The Global Community Tennis Association is hosting a fundraising event Oct. 18 to benefit the Wood Valley Boys and Girls Club. Tennis at Royal Racquet Club from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by dinner and dancing at Bon Appetit in Dunedin from 6 to 10 p.m. Contact the Global CTA at julikens@verizon.net.