NICKEL TEAM MEMBERS. KNEELING (L-R): DANIEL CAMACHO, BETH O’SULLIVAN, AND ANDI STERN. STANDING (L-R): CAROL ANN WENTZELL, SHEILA COLICCHIO, KATHY PEDULLA, JAMIE UNGER, TRACY NOORDHOF, BETTY HALL, JOAN TOOLEY, PAM GARVEY, LISA BENEDETTI AND CHAD DYER. NOT PICTURED: KATHEY RENAUD, PACKY MORRIS, MARILYN DORCAK, MARY BELL WOLFF, KATHY HEARSUM, AND CAROL MACK.
Heritage Palms has an extremely active tennis community. In addition to all of the members who play socially, there are well over 100 women who compete on various teams, many of whom play on more than one team. Men’s and women’s tennis programs have been fiercely competing with other clubs around Lee County. The women’s program is comprised of 12 rated teams (94 women!), ranging from 3.0 minus (two in this category) to 4.5, as well as several “metal” teams. Of the six rated teams, the 4.5 team fared the best competitively, coming in 2nd place in the county. The other five rated teams’ results all generally fell well within the middle of the pack: 3.0- Hot Shots (7th place), 3.0- Raqueteers and the 3.0 teams (11th), 4.0 (13th), 3.5 (14th), and 3.5 (18th).
The metal teams, filled by 76 women, ratings were somewhat comparable. While the Platinum team, the highest metal team, came in 2nd place, the Bronze (7th), Cobalt (4th), Copper (16th), and Nickel (11th) again all fell within the middle of the standings among Lee County metal teams.
It is fair to say that the women competing enjoy this inter club interaction immensely and take their competitions seriously. Each team has a group clinic and often a group practice weekly. Many of the women participating in league feel that they have improved their skills over this year, thanks to the coaching of Chad Dyer, Daniel Camacho, Carolyn Lawver, Larry Albritton, and George Freije.
On the men’s side, 52 players are on the 50+ teams and 53 men on the 70+ teams, again with many playing on more than one team. The Men’s Blue Team, captained by Steve Jamrose, and co-captained by Ted Corcoran, WON the Lee County Men’s 50+ League this past season. Also, the Copper Division Team, captained by Bob Lathrop and Whitey Sonat, WON the Lee County Men’s 70+ league. Gary Rodgers’ 70+ Gold Division finished in 2nd place.
It has to be said that there was one particularly special competition held at HP, written about in previous communications. Two of our most “seasoned” men (Bob Gehrlicher, age 91, and Ron Morrison, 90) took on and DEFEATED two other 90-year-old tennis players from Heritage Cove. The match was absolutely amazing to watch!
As you can see, not only are HP’s competitive tennis players enjoying the league season, but are also faring quite well in comparison to other clubs in our area. On to next season!
