The Inaugural Landings Cup, held at the Landings, Yacht, Golf and Tennis Club, March 21 and 22 was billed as, “a tennis tournament to identify, share and promote eco-friendly initiatives.” This particular initiative was only one component of the comprehensive and ongoing efforts of the members of the Landings tennis community.
The Landings Leads Green Tennis Effort in Fort Myers
Other initiatives of the Landings community include minimizing the use of styrofoam cups at the tennis facility, placing recycling signs and receptacles around the courts, and offering “Limited Edition Landings Cup Going Green water bottles” in the pro shop. In essence, the tennis event was an awareness-raising endeavor to encourage other clubs to consider joining the going green movement. Only time will tell if that component of the event was successful.
Inaugural Landings Cup a Success
As for the tennis end of things, Tournament Director, Steve Shreiner considered the tournament an unqualified success. In evaluating the event, Shreiner said, “It went terrific! Even though we had to scramble a little the day before with a couple of the teams, I was pleased with the way it went. It actually went better than I thought it would.” Regardless of the last minute scramble, eight teams competed, as planned, for the right to hold on to the Landings Cup until the 2009 title defense.
The Teams
The teams playing for the honor included The Landings, Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club, Gulf Harbour Golf & Country Club, Park Meadow Tennis Center, The Dunes Golf & Country Club, Fort Myers Racquet Club, The Forest Country Club, and the combination team of Colonial Country Club and Gateway Golf and Country Club. Each team consisted of two men’s doubles, two women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles teams.
The Event Format
The eight teams were divided into two flights, with each team playing every other team in its flight. The format was eight-game pro-sets with no-ad scoring, and every game counted toward the team score. After Saturday’s play, Gulf Harbour and Mid-Cape emerged victors of their respective flights. On Sunday, they met in the playoff for the Landings Cup, and the remaining teams played off for the other six positions.
Mid-Cape Edges Gulf Harbour for Cup
At tournament’s end, Mid-Cape Racquet & Health Club emerged the winner of the Cup, edging Gulf Harbour by one game, 35-34. Erica Cossairt and Rob Reed, playing 8.0 mixed doubles for Mid-Cape posted an 8-1 victory over Ted Watrous and Kathy Lanzalotta. However, that was overcome when Alan Canfield and Amy Ciarrocchi of Gulf Harbour beat Mike and Chris Sullivan 8-0 in the 7.0 mixed.
Gulf Harbour pulled ahead when Gary Delanois and Chuck Highly beat Marius Espeleta and Dennis Scott 8-4 in the men's 4.0 and above division; and Bob Ostrom and Pete McElroy beat Byron Higgins and Ed Marcello 9-7 in the men's 3.5 and below group. But Mid-Cape’s ladies doubles pulled them through to the defining one-point lead. Nancy Drury and Suzanne Lynch beat Lili Canfield and Pam Lemon 8-4; and Ginny Reed and Debbie White beat Jemin Martinsen and Judy Schafft, also 8-4.
Landings Cup Experience
After helping her team to victory, Cossairt remarked, “It was a lot fun, and I would love to come back to defend the Cup next year.” Apparently the spectators enjoyed the event as well. According to Shreiner, “I think what the players and spectators liked most was the format: getting to watch pro-sets, playing against three different clubs, and how competitive the matches were. There were probably 100-plus people watching the men’s 4.0 doubles match.”
Mid-Cape’s joy at claiming the Inaugural Landings Cup was contrasted by Gulf Harbour’s bitter sweet pain. Expressing that pain for his members, Director of Tennis and Fitness at Gulf Harbour, Mike Curran, noted, losing by one point was tough, but it was a great event for a terrific cause. I am really grateful to the participating members of our club, especially Judy Schafft, who jumped in to represent Gulf Harbour on short notice.”
Landings Cup a New Tradition
Given the timeliness of the cause and the enthusiasm generated among the club members who participated, the Landings Cup is likely to become one of Southwest Florida’s healthiest traditions from a number of perspectives.
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