World Class Tennis This Weekend at the Clearwater Women's OpenBy Renee Burrell
Photo Courtesy of Clearwater Women's Open CLEARWATER - Tennis enthusiasts will be treated to watching aspiring professional women's players throughout the 4th Sheriff Jim Coats Clearwater Women's Open tennis tournament, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Pro-Circuit Semi-Finals and Finals at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex 1000 Edenville Ave., Clearwater this weekend, February 23-24. Coats has hosted past tournaments which are sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The Clearwater Women's Open has become an anticipated yearly event that has launched new activities and opportunities for community tennis while also providing a competitive forum for tennis professionals from all over the world. The Clearwater event is one of 95 USTA Pro Circuit tournaments staged nationwide. The Pro-Circuit Qualifier & Main Draw has been taking place free to spectators since last Sunday, February 17 and ends Friday, February 22. On Saturday, February 23, at 10 a.m. the Singles Semi-Finals and a Wheelchair Exhibition will be held. Doubles Semi-finals will be the first match of the day following by a wheel chair exhibition featuring Karin Korb and Paul Walker. The Singles Semi-finals will be the final match of the day. The competition for the title will take place Sunday. Beginning with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. followed by the Doubles finals and the Singles finals scheduled for 1 p.m. A $5 entry fee/donation will be charged both days and lunch and refreshments will also be available for purchase both days with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast (B&GCA). Tickets can be purchased at the tennis complex. Additional fundraising activities will be on site with a silent auction being held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m.-1.p.m. Sunday. Some of the items up for auction can be viewed at:www.clearwateropen.com/images/SilentAuctionList.pdf Tournament retail products will be on sale and include t-shirts, hats, visors, wrist-bands and various other tournament souvenir products. Charity recipients are B&GCA, who strive to make a positive influence in the lives of local youths. B&GCA of the Suncoast have been serving youth and families in Pinellas County for over forty years and enhance the lives of more than 11,000 children in Pinellas County with after-school and summer programs that provide tutoring, self esteem and life and social skill building, abuse prevention, health and physical fitness. Coats has maintained a long standing commitment to the organization and is a past member of their Board of Directors. He continues to champion and support their many activities and events. Clearwater's B&GCA are located at Jack Russell Stadium, Sabal Walk, Wellington and Wood Valley. For additional information on the Clearwater Women's Open, refer to: www.clearwateropen.com or call (727) 669-1919 daily for match times or contact the Tournament Director, Theresa A. Victory (727) 515-8375. To learn more about the B&GCA of the Suncoast, visit them online at: bgcsuncoast.com or phone (727)647-0793. The McMullen Tennis Complex is located at 1000 Edenville Ave., in Clearwater with easy access from Belcher Rd. or U.S. 19.
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