Tennis pros Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki face off in a doubles match against Jhonathan Gonzalez and David Pfister at the Longboat Key Tennis Center's end-of-season party March 25.
Photo by Dana Kampa
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The courts at the Longboat Key Public Tennis Center played center stage for fast-paced, high-flying action as the pros took to the court for a few friendly matches while players bid one another farewell for the season.
The end-of-season party took place March 25, and center manager Kay Thayer said it was an excellent year of growth for many athletes.
"We had a really great season and still have April to go," she said. "It's all due to you. Really, what makes this tennis center special is the combined effort of all of us."
The matchup paired Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki against Jhonathan Gonzalez and David Pfister.
Attendees said it was fun to see the pros go all out with quick serves and lightning-fast returns, which stood in stark contrast to the easy-going lobs they often threw to players while serving as instructors.
Thayer thanked The Friends of Tennis board members and all the team captains for their work to make it a fantastic season. She said players were grateful to focus their efforts on improving their game rather than on hurricane repairs.
"We try to do a little to improve [the courts] every year, under the guidance of Kay, and we will continue," he said. "There are several projects in the works right now."
Longboat Key Tennis Center manager Kay Thayer pulls the name of the raffle winner for who would get a tennis lesson from her. Tennis players celebrated the end of the season on March 25 on the courts.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Arden Allen manages the raffle table at the Longboat Key Tennis Center end-of-season party.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Rebecca Schlecht and team captain Kenda Smith take in the friendly doubles match by the tennis pros. Smith has been captaining for 10 years, and she said her team was pleased to beat their Lakewood Ranch rivals this season.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Thomas Herke, wearing an on-theme tennis racket shirt, enjoys the end-of-season party on March 25 at the Longboat Key Tennis Center with friends and family.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Grace Hackett helps pass out thank-you gifts to team captains and organizers of this season's tennis matches.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Joey Assaly and her dog, Zuka, check out the action at the Longboat Key Tennis Center end-of-season party.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Longboat Key Tennis Center manager Kay Thayer and The Friends of Tennis, Inc. President Ron Watts thank players for making it an excellent season of playing and personal growth.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Jack Farrel and Mike Langlois
Photo by Dana Kampa
Catherine Diao and Nina Collins
Photo by Dana Kampa
David Pfister gets under the tennis ball to return it.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki high-five on the court.
Photo by Dana Kampa
David Pfister and Jhonathan Gonzalez keep up point-to-point against Robert Jendelund and Tomasz Borucki.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Jhonathan Gonzalez follows through on his serve.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Tomasz Borucki lofts his serve.
Photo by Dana Kampa
David Pfister readies for the incoming play.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Robert Jendelund stares down the ball during a doubles match.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Robert Jendelund, Tomasz Borucki, David Pfister and Jhonathan Gonzalez
Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.
