Bonita Bay Tennis Cheers on FGCU
FGCU/Johan Kriek Classic Gets Support from Bonita's Club Members
The support from the tennis staff and members at the Bonita Bay Club helped make the Inaugural FGCU/Johan Kriek Classic a success.
For most tennis fans, the most important stories of the FGCU/Johan Kriek Tennis Classic held on FGCU’s campus February 18 – 21 might have been the dominant play by the University of Miami Lady Hurricanes, or even the gritty performance by an overmatched Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles team. But for tennis fans in the Greater Fort Myers area, there may have been another story worth telling.
Topnotch Tennis & Teeming Crowds
The event included singles and doubles matches involving nationally ranked teams such as No.11 University of Miami, No.31 Florida International University, and No.32 Wichita State University and had you dropped by the event on Saturday, you would have seen some quality tennis. You also would have seen a multi-colored trolley-bus and a larger than normal group of spectators sporting sun-kissed (though windblown) smiles.
Kudos to Bonita Bay Tennis Staff
It should be no surprise to see a healthy crowd at a college tennis event in southwest Florida, given the area’s rich tennis base, given the attendance on Friday, the appreciative applause of the multitude in attendance was a refreshing change. What makes the crowd newsworthy is that it represented a welcome contribution to the tennis community by the tennis staff at Bonita Bay.
Pauls Scheb Takes the Lead
Director of Tennis at the Bonita Bay Club, Paula Scheb, spearheaded an effort to treat her club’s members to the outstanding tennis available during the FGCU/Johan Kriek Classic, and 35 Bonita Bay members rode the bus to FGCU, populated the stands, and supported the young women who battled the wind, the chilly temps, and each other.
Bonita Bay's Members Make Presence Felt
According to Jared Kalpin, head tennis professional at Bonita Bay, “The members thought it was fantastic tennis,” and “we would welcome the opportunity to do something like this again.” Whether they were applauding great shots, huddling against the wind, or chomping on the catered ham, Bonita bay’s members made their presence known.
A "Do it Again" Tennis Trolley Ride
Rob Vinal, Tennis Professional at Bonita Bay, actually rode the trolley with the members. He commented, “It was a nice trip. We took the back roads and with the open trolley it was real cool. I don't remember ever riding in a trolley before but I felt taken back in time. The members commented on how well the girls played, really loved the event, and hoped we would do it again.” Chances are they will do it again, given the success they experienced this time around.
Coach Horton's Gratitude
Coach J. Webb Horton expressed his appreciation for the support Bonita Bay has shown for the tennis program. “We have a great relationship with Bonita Bay, and they always help support our program. We do fund raisers every year and Bonita Bay, and Paula was looking for a way to help members put faces with names of the players,” Horton said. Regarding the impact Bonita Bay’s members had on the event, Horton continued, “Their coming out was impressive for our visitors. They were like ‘Wow, what great community support!’ And a lot of communities don’t get that.”
FGCU and Ft. Myers are Winners
The Miami Hurricanes may have chalked up most of the wins on the court, but chalk one up for the Tennis Professional Staff at Bonita Bay who helped make FGCU and the Greater Fort Myers area winners by showing that this community can support a quality tennis event.
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