What is Pro League?
The Fort Myers Ritzman Tennis USPTA Pro League, a team competition held from October through March, among four local-area business-sponsored teams of USPTA Tennis Professionals, signals the beginning of the Fort Myers tennis season. It has been an entertainment staple in the area for years, and this season promises to be as entertaining as ever..
Each Pro League team is comprised of 10 players (nine men and one woman), and team matches consist of four men’s doubles matches and one mixed doubles match. Each individual team garners one point per set won. At the end of the season, the two teams with the most points compete in a playoff (March 30 at Legends) for League Championship honors.
Prizes, Sponsorship & Funding
Honors are good, but the pros play for a bit more than honors. So what’s on the line? That oh so elusive, much desired green stuff…as in $$$. Nothing makes a tennis pro play harder than the green stuff…and of course all of the club members that come out to watch matches. The funds contributed by sponsors, host clubs, and players, over and above league expenses, become a pot that is divided among the teams based upon where they finish in the season. The first place team divides the largest share of the pot, second the second largest and so on.
There would not be much of a pot if it weren’t for sponsors such Ritzman Tennis, the League’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year, USPTA of Florida, and the team sponsors. In addition, the players and the host clubs make contributions to the kitty. Team sponsors this season include Johnny Malloy’s Sports Pub (3rd year), Boston Retirement Advisors (2nd year), AutoDrive (1st year), and Harborside Dental (1st year).
The Draft
With both cash and prestige on the line, being on a strong team is a definite plus. Yet, the draft system in place for determining team composition usually results in four strong teams and parity across the League (please see below for team rosters). On draft day, the League Commissioner (Jim Katterfield) and team captains meet in a smoky room (just kidding, no smoke, just hot air) to conduct the draft.
Potential players are assigned eligibility grouping based upon perceived skill-level (eligible to play #1, #2, mixed doubles, etc.), and the captains pick available players at each position when it is their turn to choose, based upon a pre-determined draft order. At draft’s end, teams are usually constituted in such a way that spectators are treated to spirited competition on all courts, from No.1 through mixed doubles.
The Spectators
Although the Pro League provides a welcome outlet for area pros who have limited time for entertainment during season, the League really is about the spectators. The tremendous turnout by members of the tennis community makes the pro league what it is. With beverages, food and friends on hand, Pro League is a Friday evening social event that provides an opportunity for tennis fans to cheer and heckle their club pros, socialize, and have just a plain ole good time.
More than the nominal cash reward at the end of the season, the Pros enjoy performing for the club members who faithfully come out to watch the matches every other Friday.
Some tennis fans make it to every single Pro League event, while others attend those at their home clubs or close to home. All who attend are treated to a good time and are appreciated by the players. If you would like to be a part of the Friday evening entertainment, take a look at the match schedule below and mark your calendar.
2011 - 2012 FORT MYERS RITZMAN TENNIS USPTA PRO LEAGUE TEAMS
BOSTON RETIREMENT ADV. (Team 1)
Jim Katterfield (Captain), Shadow Wood
Manuel Encalada, Cascades
Tyler Owens, Fiddlesticks
Luke Andreae, Punta Gorda Club
Frank Fourgeau, Gulf Harbour
Freddy Hindle, Three Oaks
Dave Dooley, Shadow Wood
Rick Calton, Bonita Bay
Jeff Timmer, Colonial
Erica Cossairt, Cape Coral Racquet Club
JOHNNY MALLOY’S (Team 2)
Scott Harrington (Co-Captain) Nantucket
Shawn Hedrick (Co-Captain), Strand
Patrick Kangwa, Landings
Jeff Diggs, Fiddlesticks
Jorge Magalhaes, Lighthouse Bay
Todd Wise, Legends
Anthony Hatori, Pelican Sound
Steve Shortridge, Colonial
Armor Persons, Breckenridge
Kerry Kendrick, Casa y Bel
HARBORSIDE DENTAL (Team 3)
Mike Curran (Captain), Gulf Harbour
Sergio Rebolledo, Gulf Harbour
T. A. Niles, Unaffiliated
Joel Hampton, Legends
Mike Lawver, Heritage Palms
Mark Drons, Vasari
Toni Halski, Sundial
Fran Coryell, South Seas
Dan Moenning, Punta Gorda Club
Christie Bradley, Sanctuary
AUTODRIVE (Team 4)
Denny Rager (Captain), Lely
Jared Kalpin, Landings
Chad Hedrick, Matchpoint
Elliott DeBolt, Vines
John Jerome, Wildcat Run
Alex Hermeto, Gateway
Larry Gagnon, Plantation
Rob Vinal, Dunes
Terry See, Cypress Lake
Carolyn Lawver, Heritage Palms
2011 – 2012 MATCH SCHEDULE
Landings Oct. 21st 1 vs. 4 & 2 vs 3 (4pm)
Gulf Harbour Nov. 4th 1 vs. 2 (4pm) 3 vs. 4 (5:30pm)
Pelican Landing Nov. 18th 2 vs. 4 (4pm) 1 vs. 3 (5:30pm)
Fiddlesticks Dec. 2nd 2 vs. 3 (4pm) 1 vs. 4 (5:30pm)
Heritage Palms Jan. 13th 3 vs. 4 (4pm) 1 vs. 2 (5:30pm)
Bonita Bay Jan. 27th 2 vs. 4 & 1 vs 3 (4pm)
Shadow Wood Feb. 10th 1 vs. 4 (4pm) 2 vs. 3 (5:30pm)
Lexington Feb. 24th 3 vs. 4 (4pm) 1 vs. 2 (5:30pm)
Colonial Mar. 9th 2 vs. 4 (4pm) 1 vs. 3 (5:30pm)
Legends Mar. 30th Playoffs (4pm & 5:30pm)
