Observer Challenge Tennis Tournament swings into play
The tournament opened the morning of Jan. 5 and concluded Jan. 7.
By
Observer Staff
| 2:00 p.m. January 6, 2018
Longboat Key
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With tennis rackets in hand and warmups complete, the athletes competing in this year’s Observer Challenge Tennis Tournament took to the courts Jan. 5.
About 120 athletes competed in the 18th annual tournament that began Friday morning and concluded Jan. 7.
This year’s competition played in five divisions. The finals for all but one of the divisions were held Sunday. One of the closest contests of the day came down to one point in the Division 2 males' singles match, between Bruno Mauprivez and Joe Higgins. With his teammates watching, Mauprivez won the decisive point to clinch the victory.
"It came down to one point for the whole five matches, but I didn't know that at the time," Mauprivez said. "I'm glad I didn't know that."
The following are the tournament winners:
Division 1
Phil Crutchfield
Abby Hincker
Zoe Smith
Steve Nicolai
Division 2
Bruno Mauprivez
Linda Gillott
Ute Vela
Enrique Vela
Division 3
David Campbell
Helen Turner
Sandy Campbell
Fred Berg
Division 4
Peter Mermin
Beth Gotthelf
Colette Nemni
Walter Hackett
Division 5
Bill Bolling
Judy Boice
Marina Tourkova
Dennis McIvor
About 120 athletes are competing in this year’s tournament.
Rich Fiore gets ready to receive the ball during a preliminary match.
Ying Lee awaits the ball during a preliminary match.
Ying Lee, Karen Warrack, Nina Mortazavi and Kimberly Carreiro
Mike Langlois gets ready to receive during a preliminary match
Jan Withers hits the ball during a preliminary match.
Mike Langlois gets ready to receive during a preliminary match.
Bob Ross competes in a preliminary match.
Bob Ross competes in a preliminary match.
Ron Plashkes serves the ball during a preliminary match.
Janice Bini serves the ball in preliminary match.
John Beeman watches the ball after he serves during a preliminary match.
Mark Rosenfeld hits the ball during a preliminary match.
Andy Sawyer competes in a preliminary match.
Kimberly Carreiro competes in a preliminary match.
Phil Crutchfield, Abby Hincker, Zoe Smith and Steve Nicolai won Division 1.
Ardeth Black, Christine Short, John Short and Bob Kelly took second place in Division 4.
Peter Mermin, Beth Gotthelf, Colette Nemni and Walter Hackett won Division 4.
Enrique Vela serves up a point in the Division 2 mixed doubles match Sunday.
Cathy Powell returns a serve during the Division 2 mixed doubles match.
Ute Vela returns a serve with her forehand.
Linda Gillott returns a forehand shot in the Division 2 women's singles match on Sunday.
Bruno Mauprivez, Linda Gillott, Ute Vela and Enrique Vela won the Division 2 title by one point.
Ralph Fernandez, Cathy Powell, Joe Higgins and Bev Kalil took second in Division 2.
Irene Langlois serves up a point in a Division 3 match Sunday.
Irene Langlois volleys during the Division 3 women's singles match Sunday.
Fred Berg returns a serve in his Division 3 match Sunday.
Ron Plashkes backhands a return.
Andy Adams serves during a Division 1 match Sunday.
Chris Wetzig returns a service.
Ron Plashkes, Jan Withers, Irene Langlois and Mike Langlois took second place in Division 3.
Helen Turner, David Campbell, Sandy Campbell and Fred Berg won first place in Division 3.
Helen Turner, Fred Berg, David Campbell, Tennis Center Director Kay Thayer, Ron Plashkes, Mike Langlois, Irene Langlois and Jan Withers
Bob Gary, Jean Lacroix, Joyce Welch and Dan Juda took second in Division 5.
Tennis Center Director Kay Thayer and Bob Gary
Dan Juda and Tennis Center Director Kay Thayer
Bill Bolling, Judy Boice, Marina Tourkova and Dennis McIvor won Division 5.
Jeff Otterbein, Sarah Winters, Andrew Chiang and Tami Dalto finished second in Division 1.
