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The big question to our spectators is whether the veteran team of Connerton and Jerome can defeat their younger counterparts?
The match will be the best two out of three sets, which features double-deuce scoring, playing the service let and a super tie-break for the third set, if needed. The club will be serving free beer and wine to the spectators.
Then on Saturday from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m., Hideaway Beach will showcase the extremely popular Pro Am Tournament, featuring the following members: Kay Camplese, Alberta Montgomery, Ann Marie Canning, Susie Kluger, John Svenson, Jay Janssen, Doug Davis, Bill Lardner, Norm Blake, Bob Lisbon, Andy Sawicki and John Ferguson.
Following the entertaining tennis showcase, the beautiful Hideaway Beach Club will run the Marcia Stern Gala for the Manatee Middle School junior tennis program. Principal Scholastica Choi has already begun a successful after-school tennis program and we are donating money, tennis balls, rackets and tennis clothing.
"The main reason that I am a pro today is due to the city of Fairfield, Connecticut junior tennis program," explained event co-organizer and Hideaway Beach coach Leslie Browne. "After I finished my tennis career for the University of New Mexico, I knew that I wanted to give back to the kids and turn them on to this great game. I just love the spring because I get to coach kids from all over the country. I have met Principal Choi and I am impressed with her dedication to her school and her energy to start a new program. Our Hideaway support will help the program hire some instructors to help jumpstart the program."
The southwest stars playing in the exhibition and Pro Am include: Leslie Browne, Tad Connerton and John Jerome of Hideaway Beach, Betsy Sanford of South Seas, Sara Witten, Christina Oldock and Mike Curran of Vanderbilt Country Club, Denny Rager of the Player's Club, Eric Manring (former Hideaway Beach professional) Chad Hedrick (Quail West), twin brother Shawn Hedrick of Fiddlesticks in Ft. Myers and Troy Rush (former assistant for Doug Browne in Milwaukee).
If anyone would like to give to our great cause, please make out a check to the CCCTA, a 501C3 non-profit organization, and send it to: CCCTA, 1509 Biscayne Way, Marco Island, FL 34145. If you have any further questions, please contact me at 239-398-1024.
Doug Browne is the Hideaway Beach Director of Tennis and the Community Tennis Association President. Doug and his wife Leslie have enjoyed teaching players of all abilities at Hideaway Beach for over a decade. He can be reached by e-mail at DBrowne912@aol.com.
