TENNIS E-News for HHI

TENNIS E-News *

*A South Carolina-registered service mark*

Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 Vol. XI, No. 21 Recipient of the South Carolina Media of the Year Award Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Entry Deadline Today at 5 p.m. for 'Luck of the Irish' & Chance To Play at Family Circle -- story below

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8-Week Season

HEAR YE ... HEAR YE ... Player Call Out for 2nd Annual Pro Tennis League

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Players, get ready. Spectators, alert your Friday evening social calendar. The second season of the highly successful HHI Pro Tennis League is preparing for its player draft and team formation, aiming for a start in late April. Finalizing the dates, times and sponsor list will come soon.

"We are still tying up a few loose ends with the venue location for one week and also exact date and time of the Player Draft Party," HHIPTL Board VP Matt Wuller emails. "Also, we are finalizing all the sponsors for the league this season."

The four captains will be drafting players -- men and women -- behind closed doors (Patrick Mason, Brian Kiggans, Lee Holyoak and Matt Wuller). Team personnel will be announced at the Player Draft Party. An eight-week season will consist of six regular season matches, semifinal week and finals match.

The four teams will consist of 10 players each or more if so deemed by the league board members. In addition to the teams captains, the board includes Mike O'Regan as an at-large member. Each match will consist of three doubles courts. To qualify for a team, a player must have a 4.5 or better rating. An application to play is available by emailing mwuller@seapinescountryclub.com.

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Ya Wanna Play Family Circle??

Deadline Today for Luck of the Irish Men's, Women's, Mixed

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Entry deadline is today at 5 p.m. for next weekend's Luck of the Irish Doubles Tournament at Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center that this year offers a new incentive for winning the 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 & 9.0 mixed doubles divisions: Those champions will comprise Team Hilton Head Island and compete in the Family Circle Cup Club Mixed Doubles Championships.

Entry forms are available at HHI tennis clubs and on www.palmettodunes.com, but you had best hussle over to PDTC this afternoon or it will cost you. Men's and women's doubles will be played in 2.5 through 5.0 and open divisions, while mixed doubles will go in 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0 and 10.0 competition. However, only the 6.0-9.0 champions will advance to the Family Circle tournament.

Team HHI will go against those from other South Carolina cities Apr. 5 and 6 at Family Circle Tennis Center, site of the women's tennis tour Family Circle Cup that will be played Mar. 31-Apr. 8. Participants in the Cup Club Mixed Doubles will receive FCC grounds credentials Monday-Friday of the women's tour event. Also included will be two tickets to the FCC's Friday night session, parking pass, official tournament t-shirt and a mixed doubles players party Friday.

The Family Circle perk won't change anything in the Luck of the Irish format or fees, Tournament Director Jackie Reynecke said. Those are $45 per player for one event and $55 per for two events. Draws of five or more entrants will be single elimination.

Match play will begin Friday and continue through finals Sunday. Lights will be used as needed.

For information, contact PDTC at 785-1152 or go to www.palmettodunes.com.

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Presentation at FL Symposium

     Bluffton's Di Seggie Named PTR Humanitarian of the Year
        HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (via Peggy Edwards, PTR) -- Diana Seggie of Bluffton has been named Professional Tennis Registry Humanitarian of the Year. She will receive the award at the PTR's International Tennis Symposium that this year is being held at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando FL.
    The symposium, which includes more than 50 on-court and classroom presentations for tennis teachers and coaches, a tennis trade show and tournament is being held through Tuesday.

    Although her mother competed in The Championships at Wimbledon, Di Seggie, as a young girl, grew up very poor. Her young life was impacted greatly by the kindness and generosity of others, and today she is devoted to paying it forward.
    In her native Zimbabwe, and later in South Africa, Seggie helped inner city kids, street children and disadvantaged school children ages 4-19. She wanted to give these youngsters a chance they would not have had otherwise. Seggie wanted to keep them off the streets and busy, and show them a different path, one with hope. Her vehicle: tennis.
    When she and her husband, Mike, moved to the USA in 1989, that didn’t sway her resolve. She saw many underprivileged children here in this land of plenty. Her concentration is now on those who desperately want to play tennis, but cannot afford the accoutrements.

Seggie travels from county to county and across state lines to bring free tennis lessons and clinics to poor kids with potential, and to some without talent. She collects racquets, tennis shoes and clothing from generous friends. Children who run to the courts enthusiastically wearing flip flops, leave with sneakers on their feet. Much to her husband’s chagrin, their garage is packed floor to ceiling as donations come in as fast as they can be distributed. Mike calls it "Di’s Thrift Store".

    Another passion is to bring tennis to wounded veterans. Having lived through war and witnessing its ravages, Seggie is trying to make her dream of tennis as a rehab option a reality. She was among the first to be PTR-certified to teach wheelchair tennis.
    Seggie sits on the board of the Bluffton Benevolent Fund, and started a scholarship fund in her Sun City community that assists children continue with their tennis. She also volunteers with the coaches clinic’s PTR’s Special Olympics Championships.
    Never one to draw attention to her endeavors, Seggie works under the radar helping others, just as she was helped many years ago.
    As the recipient of the PTR Humanitarian Award, Seggie will receive a $2,500 check from PTR Foundation Chairman Scott Tharp to continue her work. The PTR Foundation is the charitable arm of Professional Tennis Registry, the international tennis teachers association headquartered on Hilton Head Island.

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Play Starts in April

CCTA Spring Super Senior Mixed Leagues Begin Spring Season Planning

BLUFFTON SC (TENNIS E-News) -- Play won’t start until April, but planning has to begin right now for the Coastal Carolina Super Senior Mixed Doubles League. Competition will be on USTA levels 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0. Players must be age 60 or older by Dec. 31, 2012,

Level Coordinator Sally Harvey points out that this will be the final season before the USTA’s age restructuring that will go to new age divisions nationwide.

Pre-registration forms for teams were due by last Tuesday. For more information or a Team Pre-Registration Form, contact Harvey at sharv@islc.net.

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Players Set Own Match Schedule

Tuesday Deadline for Online Mixed Doubles Spring Season

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- An online mixed doubles league is organizing for the Spring and the registration deadline is Tuesday. Teams currently are entered on 3.5 and 4.0 levels. Singles competition already is under way.

To enter the competition, go to www.ultimatetennis.com and click on "Upcoming Events" and the "Hilton Head Island" tab.

For any questions about the local leagues in mixed and singles, email David Weser cheljosh@aol.com

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Women's Tour Goal

17-Year-Old Dane Looking for Host Home While Training on Hilton Head Island

HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC (TENNIS E-News) -- A 17-year-old Danish woman tennis player is seeking housing while she trains on beautiful Hilton Head Island during March and April. The exchange student is Freja Rasmussen, a ranked ITF junior who trained at Hobson Performance Academy in Atlanta for the 2010-2011 school year.

Freja speaks fluent English, is an exceptional student , tennis player and young lady, reports Islanders and current hosts Linda LeClaire and Dr. Bryce Young. She has visited Hilton Head Island with her family.

If interested in more information or in providing host housing, email drbryceyoung@aol.com or ljleclaire@aol.com.

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Tournament Mar. 31-Apr. 8

Serena Commits to Family Circle Cup

CHARLESTON SC – Serena Williams, former World No. 1 and 2008 Family Circle Cup Champion, has committed to the 2012 Charleston event. Williams, currently standing at World No. 11 in the WTA rankings, joins 2010 Cup champion Samantha Stosur, 2004 Cup Champion Venus Williams and Vera Zvonareva in a world class player field assembling on Daniel Island. Marking the tournament’s 40th year, the Family Circle Cup will be held Mar. 31 – Apr. 8 at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

For ticket and other information, go to www.familycirclecup.com.

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Hilton Head Island Tennis Leagues -- 2012 Adult standings -- As of 02/26/12

Teams and players to date

Rating	'12 Teams	'12 Players	'11 Teams	'11 Players	'10 Teams	'10 Players	09 Teams	09 Players	'12 Season	League Team Leaders
2.5M	0	0			1				N/A
2.5W	5	50	6	64	5	46	4	51	1/28 through 4/22	Haig Point Spartina Sparklers in first at 3-1
3.0M	5	65	5	67	4	61	4	58	1/28 through 4/14	SCYC TGIF in first at 3-0
3.0W	6	87	6	82	6	83	5	77	2/4 through 4/21	SCYC No Faults, Spanish Wells, Chaplin Tennis Toddies tied in first at 3-1
3.5M	7	93	7	95	7	99	6	86	1/28 through 4/28	Beaufort Serve-Aces in first at 4-1
3.5W	9	134	11	156	11	164	14	214	2/4 through 4/14	Long Cove Aces in first at 3-0
4.0M	5	65	4	52	6	84	5	66	2/12 through 4/29	Shipyard Sun Devils in first at 2-0
4.0W	10	148	10	154	8	126	4	62	2/11 through 4/21	Sea Pines CC Smashers, Long Cove Kick Aces, SCYC Y Knots Chaos tied in first at 3-0
4.5M	3	32	2	27	3	42	2	32	2/11 through 4/28	Palmetto Dunes Dude in first at 1-0
4.5W	3	37	2	28	4	59	2	27	1/29 through 4/15	South Beach in first at 1-0
5.0M	0	0	1	1	1	5			N/A	NA
5.0W	0	0	1	0	1	5			N/A	NA
Total	53	711	54	726	56	769	46	673

Hilton Head Island Tennis Leagues – 2012 Senior standings -- As of 02/26/12

Teams and players to date

Rating	'12 Teams	'12 Players	'11 Teams	'11 Players	'10 Teams	'10 Players	'09 Teams	'09 Players	'12 Season	League Team Leaders
2.5M	0	0			2	12	4	47	N/A
3.0M	8	93	9	109	8	100	14	166	1/23 through 4/23	SPCC Ospreys in first at 5-0
3.0W	14	165	12	142	10	123	12	143	1/31 through 4/24	Sea Pines Whitelightning, Moss Creek Alley Gators tied in first at 4-0
3.5M	17	184	17	203	20	244	13	168	2/15 through 4/4 + playoff	Flight I: Indigo Run in first at 2-0; Flight II: Sea Pines Ravens, Spring Lake Remnants, Spanish Wells The Players tied in first at 2-0
3.5W	22	264	22	268	20	230	18	225	1/25 through 4/11 + playoff	Flight I: Port Royal Glory Girls in first at 5-0; Flight II: Palmetto Dunes PDQ in first at 5-0
4.0M	12	141	10	124	10	127	7	77	2/7 through 4/24	PRRC Whipping Boys, Spring Lake Ultimates tied in first at 3-0
4.0W	11	131	9	112	8	99	6	78	1/30 through 4/9	PDTC Dames With Game, Port Royal Herricanes, PD Wylde Things tied in first at 3-0
4.5M	4	35	2	25	2	22	0	0	2/9 through 4/19	PDTC Brittis in first at 3-0
4.5W	2	16	2	24	2	22	0	0	2/16 through 3/8	SBRC in first at 2-0
Total	90	1029	83	1,007	82	979	74	904

70s Men's 3.5/4.0 Spring Interclub League -- 2012 Standing -- As of 02/26/12

Teams and players to date

Rating	'12 Teams	'12 Players	'11 Teams	'11 Players	'10 Teams	'10 Players	09 Teams	'12 Season	League Team Leaders
3.5/4.0M	8	n/a	7	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	2/9 through 5/20	Spring Lake Huh?, Indigo Run tied in first place at 3-0

Coastal Carolina Tennis – 2012 Adult standings -- as of 02/26/12

Rating	'12 Teams	'12 Players	'11 Teams	'11 Players	'10 Teams	'10 Players	'12 Season	League Team Leaders
2.5W	0	0	2	24	5	43	N/A	NA
3.0M	1	13	1	0			N/A	only team entered
3.0W	3	40	4	60	4	53	2/12 through 5/20	Carolina KOs in first at 2-0
3.5M	0	0			1	1	n/a	N/A
3.5W	4	53	5	64	5	74	2/18 through 4/28	Beaufort Net Assets in first at 2-0
4.0M	2	24	3	28	0	0	2/4 through 4/11	Rose Hill in first at 4-0
4.0W	4	48	2	20	4	62	3/11 through 4/22	Rose Hill Racquet Heads, Bluffton Racquets on Fire tied in first at 1-0
4.5M	1	7	2	19			N/A	only one team entered
4.5W	3	39	3	34	0	0	3/11 through 4/22	N/A
Total	18	221	22	249	19	233

Coastal Carolina Tennis – 2012 Senior standings -- as of 02/26/12

Rating	'12 Teams	'12 Players	'11 Teams	'11 Players	'10 Teams	'10 Players	'12 Season	League Team Leaders
2.5W	3	30			0	0	1/27 through 5/3	Haven Racquettes in first at 4-0
3.0M	8	94	7	88	7	89	1/30 through 4/30	Sun City Tennis Ball Busters in first at 4-0
3.0W	6	74	7	88	7	83	1/24 through 5/1	Sun City Sassy Slicers, Sun City Terminetters tied in first at 4-1
3.5M	12	134	12	148	15	168	2/15 through 4/25	4 teams tied in first at 2-0
3.5W	15	167	12	140	12	135	1/25 through 5/2	Dataw Islanders, Coll 10 tied in first at 5-0
4.0M	8	98	7	91	7	76	1/30 through 4/23	Sun City Sun Strokes, Hampton Lakers tied in first at 4-0
4.0W	5	55	6	67	5	60	2/20 through 4/23	Spring Chix in first at 1-0
4.5W	3	30	3	27	1	12	2/18 through 4/21	Berkely Gems in first at 2-0
4.5M	1	10	0	0	0	0	N/A	N/A
Total	61	692	54	649	54	623

Being kind through words and emails ...

Thank you so much for filling the banana@hargray.com Inbox with many very nice compliments and comments on the more than 11 years of posting TENNIS E-News by email. Sending of E-News by email has ended. Just so damn much trouble and time. But the news will continue on the website www.tennis-e-news.com.

Throughout these emailing years, "oh, you're the E-News guy" has been a nice intro -- most often at handshake time at the start of a team match. Never seemed to win any points during the match, but the apre expressions are always appreciated.

SPRING is in the air: Only 14 days to Daylight Saving Time (March 11)

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League standings in The Island Packet -- TENNIS E-News has resumed sending weekly HHI and CCTA league standings to the newspaper.

The standings normally appear in the Packet's Recreation Page in Wednesday's paper.

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UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS/Events:

Mar. 2-4: 29th annual “Luck of the Irish” Doubles Tournament & Family Circle Club Cup Mixed Doubles Qualifier / Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center / Men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles / For information, call Palmetto Dunes at 785-1152 or go to www.palmettodunes.com.

Mar. 2-4: Fripp Is. Spring Clay Court Championships / Fripp Island Tennis Center / USTA- sanctioned Level 3 tournament / Men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles in age divisions Open, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 and rated divisions 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 / also combo rated mixed divisions 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 / ID #704132012 / For information, call (843) 838-1504 or www.frippislandresort.com.

Mar. 12-14: Special Olympics National Invitational Tennis Championships / Van der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club / Volunteers needed / For information, call Julie Jilly at 785-7244 or visit www.ptrtennis.org

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TENNIS E-News FootNote

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